Development Director

Friends of the Rouge (FOTR), has partnered with Mondo Unlimited to find their next Development Director. FOTR, founded in 1986, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration and stewardship of the Rouge River watershed through education, community engagement and collaboration. The Rouge River is one of the nation’s most urbanized watersheds and is located in the Metropolitan Detroit area of southeastern Michigan. The Rouge has been the focus of intensive federal, state, and local restoration efforts since being named an EPA Area of Concern in 1987.

Friends of the Rouge understands the values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice are critical to achieve our vision of a Rouge River that is healthy, accessible to everyone, and a place where people and wildlife thrive. To that end, we commit ourselves to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice both in our programmatic priorities and our internal organizational development through inclusive recruitment of staff and board members, and by fostering a diverse and inclusive culture.

Check out Friends of the Rouge's 2024 Annual Report here.

Position Purpose

Friends of the Rouge is looking for a mission-aligned fundraising professional who brings both strategic expertise and heart to their work. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a proven track record of developing and executing successful strategies, leading teams, and cultivating meaningful donor relationships. They will be a strong communicator that is comfortable engaging a wide range of stakeholders, from donors and volunteers to community partners and demonstrate excellent storytelling, writing, and public speaking skills.

This role requires someone who is detail-oriented and organized, yet flexible and collaborative. The candidate should be comfortable analyzing data, managing projects, creating compelling content, and reaching out to new audiences. Above all, we seek someone who leads with kindness, centers equity and inclusion in all aspects of their work, and is deeply committed to environmental preservation and the protection of our water resources. A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required.

Friends of the Rouge is currently completing a Strategic Plan that will fundamentally inform the organization’s fundraising strategy. The Development Director (DD) will lead the development of this strategy and will partner with the Executive Director, Board, and staff to support the Strategic Plan implementation. Goals for this transformation are to:

• Scale our impact: Secure larger, multi-year commitments that enable long-term planning and execution
• Build sustainable capacity: Create reliable revenue stream to support dedicated fundraising staff and infrastructure
• Establish market position: Develop clear, bidirectional relationships with funders and support FOTR’s role as the primary steward of the Rouge River watershed.
• Enable strategic growth: Move from reactive to proactive funding that aligns with our mission and vision.

FOTR’s current funding model consists primarily of individual giving/membership, foundation giving, and programmatic grants with some corporate giving. The newly completed Strategic Plan calls for building a comprehensive fundraising plan that will create targets for existing revenue streams, grow new funding sources, and develop a holistic strategy to track and grow these opportunities. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop and steward new revenue streams such as planned giving, major donor relationships, and corporate giving to broaden the organization’s fundraising diversity.

This position reports to the Executive Director and involves close coordination with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, the Operations Director, and Program Managers. The Development Director leads and supports all general giving and organization-wide fundraising efforts - including foundation giving and programmatic grants. The Development Director leads and supports the Fund Development team.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Development Oversight and Growth

• Perform all aspects of the fund development management including programmatic budgeting, oversight, and department management
• Plan, develop, coordinate, and manage development activities including day to day operations, as well as active participation in strategic planning, grant development, and administration
• Work with the Operations Director, Program Managers, Executive Director, and the Fund Development team to identify annual development goals for operating expenses and program budgets
• Lead the Fund Development team in identifying funding and revenue sources, develop fundraising strategies, and implement strategies by working with Program Managers, Operations Director, and Executive Director
• Track, record, and communicate program and fundraising progress, participation, and impact
• Lead Fund Development team and work with the Executive Director to implement FOTR’s Strategic Plan priorities related to growth of the development team

Fund Development and Tracking

• Coordinate with Executive Director and Operations Director to develop FOTR’s annual operating budget in order to set annual fundraising goals
• Develop and execute annual development plan and development strategy for annual giving (membership), major donors, corporate donors, grants administration, and organization-wide events
• Working with consultants and FOTR leadership, develops and facilitates ongoing fundraising plan and communicates progress and needs with Executive Director
• Works with development staff to manage CRM software (Bloomerang) and plug-in software (Qgiv, Fundraise Up, etc.). Coordinates data integration with Bloomerang Volunteer with Volunteer Coordinator
• Works with staff to review and approve communication (as needed) to members, donors, corporations, foundations, and other related parties
• With Fund Development team, supports all FOTR-wide events and relevant program events as organizational/membership ambassador

Membership / Annual Giving / Major Donors

• Working with Fund Development team, develops strategy and implementation plan for member communication and engagement
• Directs and, working with Fund Development team, executes life cycle of giving for members, individuals, and major donors
• Working with the Fund Development team, develops strategy and implementation plans for major donor programs including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Works with Marketing/Communications staff and Fund Development team to review marketing and outreach material for organizational development efforts, specifically as it relates to member and donor engagement and cultivation
• Develops annual appeal strategy for year-end giving and works with Executive Director, Operations staff, and Fund Development team to implement strategy

Board Coordination

• Works with Board Executive Committee and Board Vice President to support Board engagement in fundraising activities including attendance at fundraising events and personal giving
• Working with the Board Vice President, review and evaluate opportunities for further participation in fundraising activities by the Board, including evaluation of reinstating a Fund Development and/or Membership Committee
• Maintains and cultivates relationships with all FOTR board members beyond board meetings to better activate board members into the organization

Corporate Giving

• Directs and stewards corporations through lifecycle of corporate giving – identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship
• Develops meaningful and broad connection with FOTR program managers and coordinators to maintain understanding of current needs and opportunities
• Coordinates corporate outreach with Board Fund Development Committee Chair and other Board Members for major fundraising events and/or general giving

Endowment/Planned Giving

• Creates and oversees plan for building the FOTR endowment, housed at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM)
• Develop and steward a planned giving program for FOTR including identifying and cultivating legacy donors, providing frameworks for charitable gift annuities, planned giving, bequests, etc.

General

• Participate in professional development opportunities, strategic networking events, etc.
• Seek an active role in relevant councils, committees, advisory groups etc. across the watershed to broaden fund development cultivation

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5+ years experience in nonprofit fundraising
• Previous experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies
• Demonstrate great donor relations and kindness
• Commitment to systemic and integrated diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice principles as related to the fundamental work of the organization
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Exhibit a deep and abiding commitment to the preservation of our environment and the good stewardship of water resources in particular

Nondiscrimination Policy

It is the policy of Friends of the Rouge to provide equal membership, employment, and service opportunities to all eligible persons and to administer personnel policies and practices in accordance with all applicable laws.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, creed, religion, color, personal appearance, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, family responsibilities, and the presence of any sensory, physical or mental disability, learning disability, matriculation, membership in any labor organization, lawful source of income, political affiliation, or political ideology.