Position Summary

SMGW seeks a full-time professional to serve as Development Director (DD) to engage and empower others in our shared mission through gifts of our time, talent, and treasure. The DD oversees all fundraising activities including strategic fundraising, individual giving campaigns, corporate sponsorship, grant-writing, event planning, and planned giving campaigns. While the Executive Director (ED) cultivates, asks, and stewards most major individual and institutional donors, the DD is a full partner in this work. The DD coordinates the design and management of key fundraising events. Management responsibility includes leading a 6-person staff team (including the ED), co-managing a Development Committee, and contributing to the Management Team.

Who We Are

SMGW is a non-profit organization committed to empowering individual program participants to make transformative changes in their lives through a practice of rigorous compassion and coaching from trained caseworkers, trainers, and instructors. This is accomplished following the Next Step methodology by which participants set goals and take small achievable “next steps” toward meeting those goals, including taking advantage of program offerings to build personal capacities and to overcome personal barriers. Our mission includes strategic engagement of and with volunteers, most of whom experience life-changes for themselves in this process. We are faith-based and mission-driven, though we have no religious requirements for participants or staff.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of proven fundraising experience, with at least 3 years directly managing staff, preferably in a non-profit environment as Development Director.
• B.A. or B.S. degree from a 4-year college.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as analytical and people skills.
• Meticulous, with strong organizational skills for purposes of information and management, as well as community engagement and event organizing especially in terms of turn-out.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and meet deadlines in a demanding environment.
• Proven ability to secure and solicit major gifts in partnership with ED and others.
• Ability to effectively manage, motivate, and implement staff accountability so the team and the organization accomplishes its objectives.
• A high degree of computer literacy, including Internet, MS Office Suite, Adobe, and donor database experience, especially in terms of donor data analysis, online solicitation, and virtual (and interpersonal) engagement of both one’s current donor base as well as prospective donors.
• Proven ability to provide strong organizational leadership for volunteers, as well as volunteer leaders serving on Committees, the Board, and our Partner Council. Especially important is the capacity to encourage, coach, and train, volunteer leaders, major donors, and program staff to engage appropriately and confidently in the development process, especially in terms of acknowledgement and testimony, i.e., sharing one’s story.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends, as required.
• Experience with churches as well as faith-motivated donors is preferred.
• Experience with organizations serving folks living in or on the edge of poverty, including but not limited to those experiencing homelessness, the unemployed and underemployed, and those educationally challenged.
• Professional Responsibilities & Relationships

Process & People

• Serves as advisor and partner with the ED and key others, both paid and volunteer, in the leadership and execution of the development enterprise.
• Serves as organizer and catalyst for Development staff team, Development Committee, and other leader groups devising and executing development plans and strategies including (a) an annual fundraising strategy based on organizational needs and budget goals; and, (b) a multi-year strategy for fund development and strategic expansion, including funding sources for capacity-building.
• Serves as staff advisor to the Development Committee Chair and proactively engages the Committee to expand its reach and fundraising impact within the organization and among our donors.
• Serves on the Management Team, receiving and offering counsel on the overall direction, strategy and staffing of the organization, particularly for the Development team and Finance team.
• In partnership with ED, represents SMGW to partner churches, schools, and other audiences, particularly but not exclusively in terms of development needs and challenges.
• Manages 5-person team that includes: Development Associate, Communications Associate, Volunteer Manager, and Grantwriter. Collaborative management also includes key volunteer leader roles such as Gala co-chairs, the annual Next Step Breakfast Captain, and Council Convener.

Principal Tasks

• Identifies, manages, and contributes to the grant-writing process, including the writing, editing, and researching of proposals as well as the necessary grantee reports, in collaboration with the grant-writer.
• Manages all fundraising activities and solicitations including solicitation of individual donors and partners, a responsibility shared with the ED.
• Leads donor data analysis and applies insights to increase high-impact solicitations, identify new funding sources, and enhance our scope and sophistication online including crowd-based fundraising.
• Initiates and leads planned giving, in this case setting up the launch of a planned giving campaign, building on the pre-launch work of the incumbent. .
• Develops and produces organizational publications.
• Manages our participation in the United Way/CFC including the SMGW in-house campaign.
• Serves as lead staff planner for the annual Next Step Breakfast and the annual Gala, in collaboration with other event organizers, such as Gala co-chairs, and the annual Breakfast Captain of the Captains.

Administration and Donor Recognition

• Participates in the budgeting process with the ED, COO, and others, establishing revenue goals and projections for fundraising income and development expenses.
• Provides regular development reports to SMGW leaders, donors and staff as expected and requested.
• Ensures that donor records for both cash and in-kind contributions are complete, overseeing the work of the Development Associate.
• Ensures appropriate donor recognition happens on a regular and timely basis, overseeing the process for staff as well as Board and Committee leaders.
• Develops recognition events for both donors and volunteers in collaboration with other key leaders.
• Starting salary range is $75,000 – $85,000 with actual starting salary determined based on cumulative experience, relevant credentials, and breadth of tenure in similar positions.

To apply, send a resume and cover letter making the case for why you would be a match for SMGW and this position to: The Rev. David B. Wolf, Executive Director of Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, dwolf@samaritanmiinistry.org