Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments
Organization Overview
Founded in 1951 by Delta Gamma alumnae, the Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments (DGC) is a St Louis-based non-profit organization with the mission to help children who are blind or visually impaired reach their full potential through family-centered specialized services and community support. DGC’s goal is to help families with children with visual impairments move forward with anticipation and hope. The combination of early intervention, parent education, and support for the entire family helps build a solid foundation for learning. The DGC currently works with children and families within a fifty-mile radius of St Louis, in both Illinois and Missouri.
The organization currently has a $2M revenue budget. The organization has a strong balance sheet with significant board-governed reserves that enable the DGC to deliver critical services during economic cycles, business cycles, and strategic planning cycles.
Position Overview
The Development Director is an integral part of the DGC leadership team and is responsible for securing charitable contributions to support DGC’s mission, vision, and budget. Fosters a culture of philanthropy throughout DGC and creates a donor- and community-centered organization through a comprehensive relationship-building program, including cultivation and communications.
Reports to: Executive Director
Primary Responsibilities
Responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and closing gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations to support our $2+ million organizational budget.
- Prepare ongoing monitoring of the annual development plan with monthly, quarterly, and yearly activity and progress goals.
- Design and implement fund development strategies that generate the resources necessary to support DGC mission, vision, and budget.
- Identify, develop, and steward current and new donor sources.
- Partner with the Marketing Manager to produce materials such as letters, brochures, and web content, that enable DGC to attract, retain, recognize, and inspire donors.
- Set donor and fundraising measurable targets to meet DGC revenue needs and develop and execute strategies to meet those targets.
- Help board members, Executive Director, fundraising committee members, and staff identify, cultivate, solicit, steward, and close charitable gifts.
- Work with grant writer to create, write, and timely submit grant proposals to foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
- Work with special events coordinator to ensure successful execution of all fundraising events, including setting fundraising goals and event budgets, post-event follow-up and continual assessment of event success.
- Prepare and submit proposals to existing and potential donors in portfolio.
- Oversee database management, including gift processing, donor acknowledgment, accurate donor records, and reports.
- Work in partnership with and in support of the Executive Director on major donor meeting preparations, donor solicitations, donor interactions, and presentations as needed for the success of the organization and donor moves management.
- Serve as part of the senior leadership team, working to support and deliver the mission of DGC.
- Start, recruit for, and manage DGC Fundraising Committee and support their efforts to identify new donors and steward current donors.
- Provide vital input in short- and long-term planning.
- Serve as an organizational ambassador, nurturing community relationships and identifying individuals for committee positions and board candidacy.
- Be an active leader and participant in all DGC fund development activities. Provide oversight and direction for the Development team.
- Ensures compliance with all relevant regulations and laws, code of ethical principles, and standards of conduct for fund development and fundraisers.
- Assures stability by creating a work environment that is rewarding to staff.
- Establishes personnel accountabilities for development staff and regularly evaluates performance.
- Actively pursue professional development opportunities for self and development staff.
- Inform the Executive Director, board, and fundraising committee on the progress of the organization’s fundraising plan and factors influencing trends, issues, challenges, and opportunities.
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Ability to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, and manage multiple projects and team members simultaneously.
- Authentic relationship builder who can manage diverse stakeholders and can inspire enthusiasm and a desire to support.
- Management skills including short- and long-term planning, evaluation, directing and motivating staff, oral and written communication skills, marketing, and financial management.
- Proven ability to motivate and direct board and fundraising committee members; comfortable providing direction and support to the Executive Director and other staff soliciting donors.
- A record of success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding nonprofit donors, including the closing of major gifts and annual campaigns.
- Extremely well-organized; a creative self-starter, capable of handling multiple tasks, establishing priorities, and meeting deadlines.
- Experience with Microsoft 365, Constant Contact, and Raiser Edge NXT preferred.
- CFRE certification a plus.
- At least five years of related work experience.
Work Environment
DGC prides itself on cultivating a balanced, flexible, and rewarding work environment. Position responsibilities may take place in a combination of in-person office (60%) and remote work (40%) after an initial probationary period. Infrequent nights and weekends may be required.
Salary & Benefits
The anticipated salary range associated with the position is $80,000 – $95,000 based on experience.
Medical (4 options) dental and vision coverage is available, as is disability, life, and ADD insurance. Retirement options include a 403 (b) tax-deferred annuity and a defined contribution pension plan. Vacation, sick, plus DGC traditionally closes the week of July 4th, as well as between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, in addition to various holidays throughout the year.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter to aodell@dgckids.org.
