Director of Development

Job Title: Director of Development

Supervisor: CEO

Compensation: $85,000 - $90,000, plus applicable benefits

Position Overview: The Director of Development is responsible for the management of Sharing Life’s development office and implementation of the organization’s fund development plan. The position is responsible for ensuring that the development department grows both cash donations and in-kind gifts in line with the agency’s strategic plan, while appropriately cultivating and stewarding our dedicated donor base. The Development Director oversees staff positions within the development office and is ultimately responsible for the results achieved by the development team.

Sharing Life Overview: Sharing Life’s mission is to end hunger and poverty by Demonstrating Compassion to those in need through food, clothing, financial resources, and educational programs. Founded in 1999, Sharing Life has grown from serving 200 people our first year to impacting the lives of over 100,000 low-income people in Dallas, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties each year. With an annual budget of $26 million, Sharing Life raises over $24 million of this figure through in-kind donations.

While currently grassroots in some of our fundraising efforts, Sharing Life is on the cutting edge of program delivery. Last year we distributed over 10 million pounds of food! We were the first HUB for the North Texas Food Bank’s feeding network and today we serve 100 partnering food pantries as their primary source of food. We have set the standard in food access for our region through our online ordering system, ePantry. ePantry provides an easy-to-use, mobile platform for clients to place food pantry orders online and shorten wait times. To further increase food access, we provide climate-controlled food lockers for 24/7 food pickup and free food delivery for those with limited access to transportation.

Sharing Life is currently in the silent phase of a $6 million capital campaign to purchase, renovate, and move our programs into a new facility by the end of 2023. We have made significant progress in this campaign and are excited about the highly notable funders who have joined us in this campaign.

With our 25th anniversary approaching, Sharing Life is at a stage of both growth and transition. Our CEO has led our development efforts since the agency was founded. We are seeking a Development Director who possesses the personal grace necessary to guide the process and the professional skills that are essential to help us with a transition in our fundraising strategy. Consultants have developed both a high level and more detailed fundraising strategy to help us grow our fundraising income to $2.2 million over the next five years. The person who is right for this position must have the discernment to adapt this plan into “real-world” implementation strategies for our agency.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Grow annual cash fundraising to $2.2 million by 2027.

o Build and own a robust and sustainable major and mid-level gifts program

▪ Ensure the CEO has the tools necessary to remain the relational lead with his/her portfolio of the top 25 donors

▪ Own and steward a mid-to-major gift portfolio of 30+ donors

▪ Develop a pipeline of donors to feed the major gifts portfolio through implementing best practices for cultivation, solicitation and stewardship in both mid-level and lower-level donors

o Manage the growth of Sponsorships

▪ Continuously reevaluate sponsor levels, benefits, and connection strategies to ensure a fresh, thriving, and creative program

▪ Identify, vet, and enlist the highest-quality corporations and faith-based organizations that wish to partner with Sharing Life

▪ Engage the Board of Directors as primary solicitors of event sponsorships.

o Mange the growth of the Grant Portfolio

▪ Manage outside contractors who are engaged to research, write, and submit grant opportunities

▪ Coordinate and integrate with other staff departments to ensure successful implementation of grant proposals and required outcomes

o Develop, manage and execute special events

▪ Within one year of hiring, fully transition special event management away from the CEO

▪ Manage staff who are actively involved in the special event process

▪ Manage high-level volunteers and Board Members who are instrumental in the execution of each event

o Capital Campaign

▪ Sharing Life is currently in the silent phase of a $6 million capital campaign. Due to extenuating circumstances, the campaign has a short one-year timeline. We have hired an outside consultant who is helping us manage the campaign. The Development Director is expected to engage with high level donors and with this consultant to ensure the campaign’s success.

• Finalize and implement the strategic development plan.

o Finalize and implement an annual development calendar.

o Finalize and implement a donor stewardship plan.

o Develop and implement:

• A gift acknowledgement process

• Donor segmentation guidelines

• Stewardship and cultivation standards

• Own responsibility for outcomes of fundraising activities and financial projections.

o Establish regular portfolio meetings with the CEO, Development Committee, Development team and other stakeholders

o Establish metrics and accurate systems for monitoring and reporting on department progress

• Create and encourage a company-wide culture of philanthropy.

o Embrace and own a relationship-based philosophy of giving

o Teach others at the organization about the importance of this philosophy

• Manage develop team staff members. Current staff include:

o The Community Engagement Associate focuses on strengthening Sharing Life's presence with local businesses and individual donors through both in-person and virtual connections. This person maintains existing and cultivates new relationships with corporate and community groups for both volunteer opportunities and grant/sponsorship requests and serves as the social media and marketing contact for the organization.

o The Development Associate provides administrative support to the Development Team. This person updates and maintains the organization’s Donorperfect database, donor files, mailing lists, donor-related meeting schedules, and other administrative tasks essential to the smooth running of the fundraising office.

Education and Experience

• While an advanced degree is not required, fundraising-specific professional development experience such as CFRE or equivalent certifications is highly preferred

• Minimum of five years proven track record in fundraising

• Prior demonstrated experience successfully managing major gifts, annual giving campaigns and special events

• Experience with and an ability to work with a diverse group of staff, board members, volunteers and donors

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• QuickBooks for Nonprofits - exceed basic proficiency or the ability to learn

• DonorPerfect - exceed basic proficiency or the ability to learn

• Microsoft Office - exceed basic proficiency or the ability to learn

• Knowledge of Dallas County’s funders, business influencers, and civic networks

• Organized, independent thinker and self-starter

• Ability to think big-picture, while still implementing the day-to-day details

• Ability to think on your feet and humbly adapt to change

• A team player who demonstrates compassion and respect to their coworkers

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule, including some evening and weekend work

Physical Working Conditions:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may sit or stand for prolonged periods of time. The employee may lift, carry or otherwise move and position objects weighing up to 25 pounds.