Job Description

Job Overview:
The Development and Fundraising Director will play a key role in driving the growth and financial sustainability of West Place Animal Sanctuary by overseeing and executing our current strategies and more importantly, creating new. This individual will identify, cultivate, and solicit donors while also ensuring the smooth operation of fundraising efforts, campaigns and an annual appeal. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, a passion for the mission, and a proven track record with development and fundraising experience. This position requires a blend of strategic thinking, creativity, and excellent communication skills to effectively engage with stakeholders and promote our mission and to meet or surpass our yearly financial needs. The right candidate will be able to show past experience of raising $400k per year and understand that though the vehicles to achieve much of this funding are already in place, the budget needs will continue to scale up each year as we grow, and additional funding such as planned giving or endowments must also be sought for the sustainability of our organization. Opportunity for growth, performance increases and more based on exceptional outputs and outcomes. The selected candidate must have proven experience in all of the below abilities to be considered for this position.

Key Responsibilities:
Fundraising Strategy and Execution:

• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to meet financial goals.
• Plan and coordinate fundraising events, ensuring successful execution from concept to completion.
• Generate new revenue through enhancing our existing programs.
• Develop a variety of fundraising initiatives, including campaigns, appeals, events, and digital fundraising activities.
• Research potential funding opportunities and keep up to date on relevant industry trends.
• Heading up our annual appeal.
• Running 401Gives campaign.
• Running Giving Tuesday campaign.

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship:

• Build and maintain relationships with donors, sponsors, and key stakeholders.
• Ensure appropriate donor recognition and follow-up, including thank-you letters, reports, and updates on the impact of donations.
• Identify and meet with high-net worth individuals and solicit major gifts.
• Identify and approach new and existing donors, including individuals, foundations, corporations, and government entities.

Planned Giving:

• Stay informed about estate planning opportunities that may benefit the organization’s long-term sustainability.
• Seek planned giving opportunities.

Marketing:

• Organize and coordinate donor events, cultivate meetings, and other activities to engage and retain supporters. Implement digital marketing initiatives to promote fundraising campaigns through various channels, including social media and email marketing.
• Preparing press releases as necessary.

Grant Writing and Proposal Development, supporting our grant writer:

• Research, write, and submit grant applications to secure funds from foundations, corporations, and government sources.
• Implement new grant writing efforts, including researching potential funding sources and preparing proposals.
• Maintain records of grants applied for, including deadlines, status, and requirements for follow-up.

Database Management and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all donor interactions and contributions using DonorDock.
• Maintain a monthly calendar of goals and deadlines.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field.
• Experience: At least 5-10 years of experience in fundraising, development, or related fields, including experience with major gifts, annual campaigns, and grant writing.

This is not a remote position. You must live within driving distance and be willing to both be in the office and traveling to meet with donors.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and writing skills.
• Strong comfort level in asking for donations.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with fundraising software, CRM systems such as DonorDock, and data management tools.
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of and passion for animal welfare preferred.
• Proven experience in fundraising, donor development and philanthropy within the nonprofit sector.
• Proficiency in digital marketing tools.
• Strong skills in grant writing and understanding of the grant application process.
• Excellent event planning capabilities with a track record of successful fundraising events.
• Knowledge of budgeting processes related to fundraising activities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Personal Attributes:

• Strong work ethic, with a passion for donor engagement, fundraising and organizational growth.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work well under pressure.
• Strong analytical skills, with a results-oriented mindset.

Please note that our organization plans to introduce health care coverage and a 401(k) in late 2025 or early 2026, but requires the financial growth brought by the expertise and success of this position in order to be able to do so.

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