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Development & Community Relations Manager

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ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports to Deputy Director

JOB SUMMARY  (Hybrid option possible)

The Development & Community Relations Manager (DCRM) is a leadership position with Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County whose mission is to provide a place for free meals, hospitality, companionship, and advocacy for those in need, regardless of their faith, beliefs, or circumstances.

Overarching responsibilities of the position include meeting revenue goals for fundraising through excellence in donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. This position also works to heighten community awareness of Loaves & Fishes, identifying new community partners and donor opportunities. 80% of Loaves & Fishes annual revenue comes from private support. This position works to achieve that goal annually. The position has a critical impact on the organization’s budget.

 

Areas of Responsibility: 

Develop and implement annual strategic plan for fundraising and community relations. Overall objectives include: elevating the visibility and understanding of Loaves & Fishes’ mission and impact, increasing fundraising revenue through the annual fund program, special individual giving, and events and fostering community relationships for volunteer recruitment and other purposes. The Development & Community Relations Manager also creates monthly gift reports, provides regular reports to the board of directors, and provides leadership and support for the Fundraising Committee.

The DCRM works directly with the Executive Director to develop and implement strategic ways to increase fundraising revenue for the organization’s annual budget and to meaningful cultivate relationships with donors. This position also works closely with the Administrative Assistant who provides support for the work of the DCRM and with the Treasurer regarding the development of the organizations projected budget for each fiscal year.

Fundraising responsibilities include:

Annual Fund Appeals

● Two annual appeals: Summer and Winter. Oversee the production of electronic and print solicitations. Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop themes for the appeals and write material.

● Develops and oversees system of gift acknowledgments, to ensure timely and meaningful thank you letters, phone calls, and notes from the Executive Director and board members.

Individual Giving

Builds relationships with new and existing donors and prospects, through excellent stewardship and opportunities for greater involvement as volunteers, fundraising committee members, and other possibilities. Identify opportunities and develop plans for the Executive Director to engage meaningfully with donors and prospects. Provide briefings, advice, and staff support for the Executive Director’s work with donors.

Events

Empty Bowls

● The DCRM serves as the leader and project manager for Empty Bowls, Loaves & Fishes’ signature fundraising event. Activities include managing event sponsorship solicitations, ticket sales, and coordination with committees and staff to recruit potters, restaurants, and other vendor contributions.

● Organizes additional events, such as small donor gatherings and special events

Community Relations

● Represent Loaves & Fishes to community organizations, especially those who may not have a strong understanding of the organization’s mission and impact, including faith-based communities, businesses, community organizations and clubs.

● Identify opportunities for community engagement with the Executive Director and support the Executive Director, as necessary.

● Recruit volunteers through community relations activities.

Media Relations

● Identify opportunities for media coverage of Loaves & Fishes.

● Prepare press releases and follow-up with representatives of the media to gain coverage. Coordinate related activities.

● Involve the Executive Director and others in media interviews, community event attendance, and related activities.

Educational Background: 
4 - year degree required
Skills/Experience: 

● 5-7 years of professional fundraising experience. Applicants may be considered who have fewer years of fundraising experience combined with professional experience in a related field.     

● Commitment to working in a mission-driven nonprofit organization.

● Experience developing and implementing strategic plans.

● Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

● Demonstrated leadership in project management.

● Commitment to teamwork     

● Respect for varying points of view.

● Skills to manage multiple priorities and activities.  

● Experience with CRM software.

● Knowledge of challenges and needs commonly facing people living in poverty such as being food insecure, unhoused, dealing with mental and physical health challenges, under employment, and major life transitions or crises.      

● Commitment to cultivating a welcoming organizational culture which includes supporting members of the BIPOC and LBGTQ+ communities and a commitment to upholding anti-racism policies and procedures.

Compensation/Benefits: 
  • Part-time, 27 hours per week (Hybrid possible)
  • $28.00 per hour
  • Cafeteria Plan Benefits
  • Vacation, personal time and holidays
  • 403 (b) retirement plan
  • At times required to work outside of normally scheduled hours and to attend required trainings.

 

 

Additional Information: 

Required: Resume & Cover Letter

Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County is an equal opportunity employer who provides a living wage and is committed to a diverse workforce.

Organization Info

Loaves and Fishes of Tompkins County

Overview
Headquarters: 
Ithaca, NY, USA
Annual Budget : 
$500,000-1M
Size: 
1-10 employees
Founded: 
1983
About Us
Areas of Focus: 
Mission: 

Loaves and Fishes of Tompkins County is a Christian ministry which provides a place for free meals, hospitality, companionship, and advocacy for those in need, regardless of their faith, beliefs, or circumstances.

Programs: 

For 40 years, Loaves & Fishes’ Free Meal and Advocacy Programs have offered Tompkins County residents a welcoming community where guests can share a meal with others and, if needed, receive practical assistance and support. Loaves & Fishes provides nutritious free meals each weekday to all who come. Currently we are serving 300 meals each day, Monday – Friday. We rely on 100 community volunteers each week. Additionally, emergency groceries, limited funds, bus passes, blankets, winter clothing, and personal care items are available to guests when needed. Social service agencies provide direct outreach to our guests during meal times including: Catholic Charities (SNAP and health insurance benefits), Lifelong (Medicare), Cornell University PATCH (Blood pressure screenings), Cayuga Addition Recovery Services, and REACH Medical.

Loaves & Fishes is the only community kitchen in Tompkins County that is open five days each week including holidays. Our guests include people suffering from: poverty and hunger including those who are unhoused, under employed, on inadequate public assistance, marginalized in any way, dealing with mental and physical heath challenges, veterans, people in crisis, and anyone in need of companionship.

Loaves & Fishes provides a particularly effective environment to learn when people are in crisis or have unmet basic needs, such as lack of adequate housing or medical care. Most people when hungry will seek help in obtaining food, as it becomes a matter of survival. However, many people are less likely to ask for help if they have other, unmet, but often critical needs because they have no idea how to get these needs met or have given up the expectation that their life can be any different. Additionally, many of our guests have no family, friends or co-workers that can offer assistance to them during times of need. During meal times, our guests commonly reveal to other guests, staff and volunteers, in one way or another, that they need help. Then they are directed to a staff member who is equipped to assist our guests. The Advocacy Program provides information to our guests about existing social services and resources, actively links guests to these services when needed and, in general, provides on-going emotional and practical support to our guests during times of crisis or significant transitions.

Loaves & Fishes is an American Red Cross (ARC) of the Southern Tier designated emergency site for Tompkins County. Should the need arise, the ARC can request the use of the St. John’s facility for emergency sheltering or feeding of Tompkins County residents. For example, in the event of a community emergency, Loaves & Fishes will work with the ARC to provide 175 – 200 meals twice a day and/or open our facility to enable residents to cool down or warm up. Loaves & Fishes can also prepare and package meals the ARC will pick up and deliver to those in need throughout the county. Furthermore, due to our downtown location, during a state of emergency our site can provide support for essential Tompkins County government workers and first responders.

Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County addresses the following community needs:

Food insecurity by: serving free hot nutritious meals each weekday; providing emergency food if needed (not a pantry); informing and referring individuals to other emergency food agencies.

Individual's lack of basic needs by: our Advocacy Program which entails making referrals and, occasionally, accompanying individuals to meetings with front-line agencies and speaking on their behalf if necessary; providing limited emergency funds, personal care items and winter clothing; bus passes, and facilitating outreach of local agencies during mealtimes.

Individual's social isolation by: nurturing a community of people (guests, volunteers, staff) who care for and respect each other; encouraging staff, volunteers and guests to eat together to overcome social isolation and barriers (class, race, ability); inviting guests to work alongside volunteers and staff during clean-up.

The need for volunteer, working and learning opportunities by: mentoring and supervising individuals in kitchen work and hospitality from other programs including, Unity House, civic groups, local businesses, schools, and people needing to complete community service hours for their schools or for the parole office.

The indifference to the needs of the poor and marginalized by: bringing an awareness of poverty and hunger in Tompkins County through the local media, public service announcements, and events.

Awards & Accolades: 
Article: https://www.ithaca.com/news/ithaca/feeding-the-community-for-40-years/article_515db93e-36d3-11ee-81a0-8796ed2fa067.html
Why Work For Us?: 

Organizational Culture

Anyone who walks through our doors is welcome at the Loaves & Fishes table. We aspire to treat everyone as we would want them to treat us. Our supportive community offers compassionate companionship as well as physical sustenance. We strive to welcome the stranger and feed the hungry. Through our Advocacy Program, we provide personal care items and referrals to community resources that can assist guests in meeting their critical, unmet basic needs.

Loaves & Fishes is a welcoming and safe place for all no matter one’s faith, beliefs, circumstances, physical or mental health challenges, gender expression, sexual orientation or race. This is overtly stated in the following documents which are prominently displayed in our dining hall:  our code of conduct, anti- harassment and anti- discrimination polices and anti-racism commitment. Every guest, volunteer, and staff member are required to uphold the rules and expectations stated in these documents.

Loaves & Fishes is committed to promoting diversity and furthering inclusion in our community. 

What is it like to work at Loaves & Fishes?

We are a small staff committed to Loaves & Fishes' mission. We accomplish everything we do through working as a team with each other and with our kind-hearted, dedicated volunteers. Our enthusiasm is fueled by the meaningful difference we make in the quality of life of our guests, one meal and one smile at a time. 

Connect With Us

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Jul 8 2024
Active Until: 
Aug 8 2024
Hiring Organization: 
Loaves and Fishes of Tompkins County
industry: 
Nonprofit