Development Director

Development Director

College Possible Philadelphia

 

About College Possible

College Possible is a growing nonprofit coaching students from low-income backgrounds to and through college to break the cycle of poverty and empower the next generation of leaders. Our model has earned national recognition: the inaugural Evergreen National Education Award recognized our leadership in increasing access to and success in college for students from low-income backgrounds. It also earns top-of-field results: a Harvard study found that the program more than doubles a student's chance of enrolling in a four-year college, and our students are four times more likely to become college graduates than their low-income peers. College Possible has a budget of $25 million, more than 140 full-time employees and more than 270 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2019-20 school year, we will reach an estimated 25,000 students in all 50 states, at more than 90 partner high schools and at more than 350 colleges.

College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education. To learn more, Diversity and Inclusion Plan.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, College Possible also operates in Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Portland, OR; and Seattle, WA; and has Catalyze partnerships in Minnesota, Iowa, Texas, and Ohio. We're joining forces with colleges to achieve a transformational impact: by 2021, we will partner with 400 colleges to reach 50,000 students.

To learn more, visit CollegePossible.org.

 

Your Role as Development Director

The Development Director is responsible for managing, coordinating and achieving revenue goals to support organizational priorities. This position works closely with the Executive Director and the Site Advisory Board to lead, support and achieve all fundraising activities through building relationships with corporations, foundations, individuals, organizations and government. In collaboration with the Executive Director, this position will lead in the development and implementation of the site's fundraising plan including grants, events, and all solicitations as well as the design and implementation of the site's marketing and communications plan.

 

• Major Gifts: In collaboration with the Executive Director, engage the Site Advisory Board and Development Committee to increase major gifts with a strong focus on multi-year gifts. Manage a portfolio of donors giving $1,000 or more utilizing best practice.
• Prospecting and Cultivation: Engage in prospecting and donor research to secure high-net-worth individuals and strong institutional support. Strategize and work with the Executive Director to implement cultivation techniques to inspire prospective supporters to become donors and increase the number of donors to the annual operating fund.
• Grant and appeal writing: Develop, write and submit grant proposals and reports. Support achievement of site revenue goals through strong grant writing for proposals and reports to foundations and corporations. Using Raiser's Edge and internal tracking to record application and reporting deadlines to ensure timely submission and compliance.
• Fundraising Events: Help ensure the success and growth of the annual Champions for College Completion fundraising event.
• Relationship Management and Stewardship: Manage a portfolio of donors, building on existing relationships and developing new, and improve donor retention through a meaningful stewardship strategy. Leverage Executive Director and key volunteers in these efforts.
• Strategic Planning and Analysis: Help build the annual fundraising and communications plan and oversee the implementation. Manage progress toward goals with the use of fundraising database and holding team members accountable to goals.
• Communications/Marketing: Develop and execute communication efforts for the site to develop a comprehensive development and communications plan to promote the organization to donors and maximize public awareness of the organization. Responsibilities include: social media, email marketing, content creation for website and e-newsletter, and print and digital appeals. Work with National staff on creating and/or finalizing content, creating marketing materials, revising case statement, appeals and monthly/bi-monthly e-newsletters.
• Site Leadership: The Development Director plays a critical role as a leader at the Philadelphia site. They will build a strong culture of collaboration, excellence and strong strategic leadership with a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

 

What You Bring

Education/Certifications/Licenses:

• Bachelor's degree required

 

Related Work Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years work experience, with three years of fundraising experience;
• A minimum two years of supervisory experience preferred.

 

Computer/Software Skills:

• Strong computer skills, including demonstrated proficiency in: Microsoft Word, Excel and donor database software;
• Raiser's Edge experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability and past experience securing major gifts and growing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals;
• Strong management abilities with significant experience supervising people;
• Vision and demonstrated ability to develop, promote and deliver positive results for self and team;
• Significant commitment to the mission of helping historically underserved students earn admission to college and persist toward degree completion;
• Entrepreneurial skills and spirit, with demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment;
• Must have a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion with experience in asset-based community centered fundraising practices.

 

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills;
• Self-starter with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously;
• Proven record of facilitating collaboration and cooperation with organizations and the community;
• Attention to detail, including proofreading and project follow-through;
• Comfort with data collection, analysis, and a strong focus on results.

 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when needed
• Office environment with limited travel
• Ability to stand and/or sit for a minimum of 7 hours a day

 

What We Offer

In addition to joining a committed, diverse, values-based organization, we offer:

• An opportunity for you to have a tremendous impact both internally and in the broader country
• a competitive salary commensurate with experience
• excellent benefits including complete health, dental, life, short-term and long-term insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Encouraged sustainability through a generous paid time off program
• Personalized professional development and growth opportunities