Development Director

Description

Development Director

Do you wake up passionate about seeing a child curious to learn while being out in nature? Do you resonate with the fact that the traditional education system is lacking when it comes to connecting youth to the environment? Do you love sharing your passion for being outdoors and outdoor education with others? Do you see yourself as a “relationship builder?” If any of these descriptors resonates with you, then you might want to come work at Sacramento Splash!

Splash is a Sacramento based Environmental Education nonprofit focused on all things water and wildlife. We are a small group of highly passionate nature geeks, determined to Help children understand and value our natural world! We have been fortunate to grow our organization and we are looking for a Development Director to help take us to the next level!

This newly created position provides a strategic opportunity to build a robust development plan to ensure sustainable funding for the organization.
Our Development Director will take a comprehensive approach to advancing the organization’s mission through fundraising, relationship building and nurturing, and grant management. As a member of the executive team, the position reports to the CEO and works closely with the board of trustees to execute the organization’s strategic plan, identify and solicit funds, and grow public awareness of the organization.
The initial three – four months will be dedicated to conducting a feasibility study and needs assessment, then crafting a fund development plan which will include assisting in contract and grant management. Once the plans are developed, the Development Director will be responsible for ongoing execution of all plan elements. Potential elements of the plan include:
• seeking and securing public and private grant funding;
• individual giving initiatives, giving days, and other similar annual campaigns;
• major gifts; corporate partner, local and state government partners and sponsorships;
• event sponsorships and incorporating fundraising into existing annual events when appropriate.
• planned giving and estate planning initiatives.

This role is right for you if–
• You have a vision for building a comprehensive development strategy that produces aggressive revenue growth of $250,000+ in revenue per year.
• You are an enthusiastic and active member of the community, utilizing your engaging networking, sales and communications/branding skills to build sustainable corporate and community partnerships to achieve organizational revenue goals.
• Your experience in providing inspirational leadership, oversight and implementation of fundraising programs has resulted in meeting or exceeding revenue goals around mass market events/special events, corporate sponsorship and other corporate gifts, pipeline development for major and planned gifts and other areas of development audience
• You are excited by being in nature and enjoy watching children become excited by critters, curiosity, and the outdoors.

Visit our website here and see how we are making a difference in the Sacramento area, including being awarded California 2024 Non-Profit of the Year!

Successful candidates for our Development Director position will exude:

• Demonstrated skills in raising funds: via grant writing, corporate/government relations, sponsorships, and individual donors campaigns;
• Proven relationships showcasing the ability to seek new partners including developing new relationships for the organization and “opening doors” for our CEO;
• leadership skills strong enough to support the CEO in managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and developing a planned giving strategy;
• The ability to execute a year-round development plan including management of donors and funds;
• Demonstrated planning and management of campaigns and annual appeal functions including Big Day of Giving;
• Clear understanding of non-profit funding, budgeting and donation lifecycle management;
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, particularly in the area of persuasive donor communications;
• Comfort with public speaking and representing splash at development activities as well as Splash sponsored events
• Strong technological skills, including the ability to select and deploy a donor management software system;

Requirements:

The ideal candidate for this position will:
• Possess a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role within a non-profit organization; with experience in fundraising, grant writing and planned giving;
• Possess a robust background in fundraising with demonstrated leadership responsibility for shaping and executing the fundraising vision, fostering a culture of performance, and identifying new donor opportunities;
• Ability to work with self-direction related to donor outreach and cultivation; and
• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in communications, nonprofit administration, marketing, business/finance, or similar relevant to fund development
• Ability to sustain an annual giving plan of at least $250,000 increasing annually to reach $500,000+

Although not required, preference will be given to candidates who:
• Have experience raising funds for educational programs; or
• Hold a CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential

The position is a salaried full time, exempt position working a minimum 40 hours per week. Exact hours are generally flexible and will require some weekend and evenings. Our team works primarily remotely, if the candidate would like to work out of the office, it is in Mather, CA. Preference will be given to candidates living in the greater Sacramento region.

Minimum compensation will be $105,000 and may be up to $115,000 based on experience. Benefits include medical, dental/vision, 401(k) with 3% company contribution, unlimited PTO and 12 paid holidays.

To Apply:
Please send us your resume, cover letter, and a work sample demonstrating a written fundraising and communication plan that you have previously implemented to mackenzie@sacsplash.org. In your cover letter, be sure to tell us why you think Splash is an organization you are passionate about. Incomplete applications will not be considered and only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Splash is an equal opportunity employer, if you feel you have enough talent and passion to excel at this role but are lacking in some of the requested areas, we encourage you to apply and tell us why!

Job Duties

The initial three – four months will be dedicated to conducting a feasibility study and needs assessment, then crafting a fund development plan which will include assisting in contract and grant management. Once the plans are developed, the Development Director will be responsible for ongoing execution of all plan elements. Potential elements of the plan include:
• seeking and securing public and private grant funding;
• individual giving initiatives, giving days, and other similar annual campaigns;
• major gifts; corporate partner, local and state government partners and sponsorships;
• event sponsorships and incorporating fundraising into existing annual events when appropriate.
• planned giving and estate planning initiatives.

This role is right for you if–
• You have a vision for building a comprehensive development strategy that produces aggressive revenue growth of $250,000+ in revenue per year.
• You are an enthusiastic and active member of the community, utilizing your engaging networking, sales and communications/branding skills to build sustainable corporate and community partnerships to achieve organizational revenue goals.
• Your experience in providing inspirational leadership, oversight and implementation of fundraising programs has resulted in meeting or exceeding revenue goals around mass market events/special events, corporate sponsorship and other corporate gifts, pipeline development for major and planned gifts and other areas of development audience
• You are excited by being in nature and enjoy watching children become excited by critters, curiosity, and the outdoors.

Skills Required

Successful candidates for our Development Director position will exude:

• Demonstrated skills in raising funds: via grant writing, corporate/government relations, sponsorships, and individual donors campaigns;
• Proven relationships showcasing the ability to seek new partners including developing new relationships for the organization and “opening doors” for our CEO;
• leadership skills strong enough to support the CEO in managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and developing a planned giving strategy;
• The ability to execute a year-round development plan including management of donors and funds;
• Demonstrated planning and management of campaigns and annual appeal functions including Big Day of Giving;
• Clear understanding of non-profit funding, budgeting and donation lifecycle management;
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, particularly in the area of persuasive donor communications;
• Comfort with public speaking and representing splash at development activities as well as Splash sponsored events
• Strong technological skills, including the ability to select and deploy a donor management software system;

Requirements:

The ideal candidate for this position will:
• Possess a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role within a non-profit organization; with experience in fundraising, grant writing and planned giving;
• Possess a robust background in fundraising with demonstrated leadership responsibility for shaping and executing the fundraising vision, fostering a culture of performance, and identifying new donor opportunities;
• Ability to work with self-direction related to donor outreach and cultivation; and
• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in communications, nonprofit administration, marketing, business/finance, or similar relevant to fund development
• Ability to sustain an annual giving plan of at least $250,000 increasing annually to reach $500,000+

Although not required, preference will be given to candidates who:
• Have experience raising funds for educational programs; or
• Hold a CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential

Work Schedule

The position is a salaried full time, exempt position working a minimum 40 hours per week. Exact hours are generally flexible and will require some weekend and evenings. Our team works primarily remotely, if the candidate would like to work out of the office, it is in Mather, CA. Preference will be given to candidates living in the greater Sacramento region.