Development Director

Development Director

Golden Crescent Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc.

Job Summary
Golden Crescent CASA (GCCASA) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Development Director to join our team. As the Development Director, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of our fundraising and development efforts. This includes creating and implementing strategies to secure funding from various sources, managing donor relationships, and coordinating fundraising events. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in proposal writing, budgeting, and grant writing.

Our Development Director is a key leader who contributes to the agency's fiscal health and deepens trust and confidence from the community. Following donor-centered philanthropic practices, this role leads fundraising strategies to maximize financial gifts provided through an extensive grant portfolio, annual fund, events and special campaigns. This position holds primary responsibility for the grants management life cycle from research and application to accountability reporting.

This position works closely with executives and at times supervises staff, requiring cross-departmental collaboration. To succeed in this position, candidates should have strong project and process management skills; be talented in communicating internal operations to an external audience through written proposals and in-person presentations; be resourceful, creative, analytical, adaptable, and organized with the ability to build rapport within our team and with the greater community to attract donors and supporters. Exceptional written communication, computer, and problem-solving skills are essential. The ideal candidate will be a professional contributor to fundraising and relationship building; love technical writing and prospect research; enjoy both behind-the-scenes work and out-in-front public relations; and have a passion to share the CASA mission.

Salary: from $45,000 a year, depends on qualifications and experience

Title: Development Director

Status: Exempt / Full-time

Reports to: Executive Director

Primary Work Location: In person, onsite in Victoria, Texas

Schedule:

• 8 hour workdays
• Some evenings and/or weekends as needed

Travel: Approximately 25%

Benefits

• IRA option with employer match up to 3%
• Health insurance with 50% employer contribution
• Dependent health insurance coverage available
• Voluntary dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid Leave

Application Process

Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resume to gccasa@goldencrescentcasa.org.

No phone calls, please.

To support experience described in a resume or cover letter, an applicant selected for an interview may be asked to submit a fundraising portfolio that demonstrates a proven track record of proposal and campaign success.

Time is of the essence. Because of the need to fill the opening, qualified, interested applicants should submit their resume and cover letter immediately. First review of applications: January 31, 2025.

QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an institution accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education in Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field (preferred), or high school diploma or equivalent with five (5) or more years of experience in the non-profit sector, business, communications, public administration, or related field.
• Five (5) years of relevant work experience in fundraising or donor relations; a non-profit sector background is highly preferred that demonstrates proven experience in fundraising and donor development work
• Experience planning and executing fundraising events
• Professional experience in cultivation and management of one or more of the following: annual gifts, major gifts, endowment, government grants, foundation/private grants, special events, campaigns, donor relations.
• Advanced knowledge of fundraising principles, strategies and tools
• Strong research skills to identify potential funding opportunities
• Strong track record of successful proposal writing and grant applications
• Proficient in budgeting and financial management for fundraising initiatives
• Strong knowledge of email marketing platforms
• Familiarity with content management systems
• Exceptional written, verbal and public speaking communication skills with ability to convey clear, structured, articulate, succinct, and persuasive proposals
• Strong attention to detail skills
• Knowledge and experience with donor databases; prefer experience with NetWorkForGood; and online donation platforms (for example, NetWorkForGood).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship, Campaigns and Events

• Lead a volunteer committee to grow a develop, design, execute, coordinate and manage donor engagement and retention, 2 annual fundraising events (Mother’s Day Brunch, Dinner & Auction), 1 online campaign (Giving Tuesday), annual fund (Annual Supporters), direct mail, annual impact report, and other donor relationship functions as needed.
• Conduct prospect identification and research of private foundation, government, corporate, community and other sources; utilize online databases, libraries and other sources to locate biographical, financial, and philanthropic information on funders.

· Ensure that all grant-related activities are compliant including financial and reporting requirements.

• Provide innovative ideas and concepts that can be evaluated and implemented to secure new funding; maintain awareness of current and changing funder interests.
• Identify new opportunities for funding resources and identify information regarding latest research, statistics and information on child abuse and neglect; incorporate into grant applications.
• Develop presentations and keep current on Golden Crescent CASA information.
• Develop and execute fundraising strategies to meet organizational goals

· Identify and cultivate relationships with potential donors and sponsors

· Plan and coordinate fundraising events, including logistics, marketing, and donor recognition

· Manage donor database and ensure accurate record keeping

· Collaborate with the recruitment team to develop effective email marketing campaigns

· Conduct research on potential funding opportunities and stay up-to-date on industry trends

· Collaborate with the finance team to create and manage budgets for fundraising initiatives

· Oversee the creation of promotional materials, including brochures, newsletters, and annual reports

All employees are to

· Be punctual and regular in onsite attendance.

· Work after/outside of normal work hours.

· Follow the instructions, directions, and guidance of the supervisor/Executive Director.

· Work safely and follow GCCASA policies and procedures.

Communications

• Collaborate effectively with Community Engagement Specialist to ensure external communications are coordinated to support fund development activities and community engagement.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, including board directors, community leaders, and volunteers

Other Essential Job Duties

• In accordance with team philosophy, perform other duties requested by the Executive Director.
• Maintain confidentiality of CASA clients, volunteers, staff and donors; protect confidentiality by being aware of information in workspace and of persons who can hear confidential conversations; utilize locking enclosures for paper and electronic information.
• Participate in minimum 12 hours annual self-development training.
• Attend conferences and workshops, meetings and events as requested or required.
• Participate in fundraising initiatives, projects and events, as requested; attend advocate trainings, advocate recognition events and court hearings periodically.
• Assist in community education and raising awareness about the CASA program.
• Demonstrate and champion alignment with CASA vision, mission, and values in daily work.
• Travel to or from CASA offices located in Victoria and other locations; travel in 8-county service area with occasional travel to other locations.
• In person, onsite attendance is a requirement of the job.

Grant Writing, Reporting, and Management

• Execute and grow a $1 million fund development plan utilizing best practices to cultivate and steward contributions from multiple sectors including foundations, government, corporations and individuals; responsible for grants management activities including developing proposals, writing funding applications, and completing required reports. Write compelling grant proposals and manage the grant application process.
• Create and maintain a master calendar for tracking all application requirements and deadlines including reporting requirements
• Communicate upcoming requirements and deadlines to all appropriate internal staff.
• Ensure timely submission of letters of inquiry, requests for funds and support, and follow-up questions from prospective donors and funding sources.
• Coordinate with internal staff to gather information, create narrative, and ensure approval for grants; circulate grant guidelines and RFPs with relevant internal leaders; exercise initiative to collect and finalize program information for proposals
• Communicate efficiently and effectively with internal staff; prepare RFIs to gather content.
• Analyze program data and translate into meaningful, illustrative messaging.
• Consult with finance committee to create grant-related budgets.
• Assemble and submit grant packages, including letters, proposals, budgets and presentations; through web based and paper formats; ensure required proposal sections are complete and accurate, including program/project objectives, budget development, and evaluation measures.
• Further assist in the acquisition of funding by representing GCCASA at on-site visits; give presentations and attend donor meetings, coffees, fundraising events, special events, and other activities.
• Provide monthly reports to Executive Director on status of proposals in progress, proposals pending, and other activities.
• Prioritize work to keep multiple projects moving in a timely manner; meet deadlines and manage supplemental materials required for proposals; keep Executive Director informed.
• Maintain well organized electronic and paper copy files for all grants.
• Maintain accurate status of income and projected income from all grant proposals.
• Provide writing support for major donor and individual contribution letters and acknowledgments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with strong ability to get along well with others
• Excellent people skills with the ability to partner with a dynamic leadership team
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Exceptional understanding of philanthropy as it relates to the non-profit sector and extensive knowledge of avenues of resource development
• Strong project and process management skills with high attention to accuracy and details
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Strong organizational and clerical skills, maintaining complete electronic and paper files
• Comfort with tasks ranging from daily routine to specialized with strong time management
• Strong ability to be flexible and multitask
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Patient and adaptable approach to interactions with others, working with cross-disciplinary teams in a collaborative style
• Ability to work independently, be goal-oriented with initiative, and handle multiple priorities with strict deadlines under pressure
• Ability to work in sensitive situations, with sensitive information, and maintain confidentiality

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reach with hands and arms. Stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, grasp, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and speak, hear and read. In-office and out-of-office public contact. Occasionally required to kneel, bend, and/or crouch. Occasionally lift and move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The Development Director is subject to the usual interruptions associated with providing friendly service and performing multiple duties; respond courteously and professionally; operate typical business office equipment; duties normally provided in surroundings where undesirable physical conditions and hazards are minor and controllable. Sometimes required to attend off-site functions and will be required to provide own transportation (mileage reimbursed).
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

ABOUT US

We envision a world where every child thrives in a safe, stable, loving home. Golden Crescent CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) provides high quality best interest advocacy for children and youth in the child welfare system. We train and empower community volunteers to ensure children’s needs are met and their voices lifted. We commit to strengthen the connections and well-being of children in foster care, one family at a time. Golden Crescent CASA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been in operation for 28 years. Last year, we served 278 children with 85 volunteers in Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, Refugio, and Victoria Counties.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Believing that success follows commitment, we uphold these guiding principles in our workplace and in our work: Build trust, respect, and personal integrity; Maintain high ethical standards; Instill teamwork and open communication; Welcome diversity of views and people, be inclusive and strive for equity; Know our clients, meet their expectations; Provide job and development opportunities; Constantly improve; Reward performance and contribution. We serve to ensure the safety, health and well-being of: Children & Families; Volunteers & Staff; Community; CASA Program Services, Administration and Infrastructure.

We aim for the highest and to be the best: Serve 100% of the children in State protective care with volunteers who are fully trained and supported by CASA staff and respected by the judges and community; Be a sound organization with financial stability through diverse funding, long-term income sources and contingencies, while working at capacity and planning for growth; Known as a trusted community resource for providing a meaningful and fulfilling volunteer opportunity while bettering the lives of children and, in turn, bettering our community as a whole.

If you are a highly motivated individual with a passion for fundraising and development, we would love to hear from you. Join our team as the Development Director and make a difference in our organization's mission. Apply today!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person