Director of Development

Job Purpose
DASA is seeking an energetic and passionate conservation advocate for the role of Director of Development. In collaboration with the Executive Director, this role is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating all aspects of the organization’s development efforts, including annual appeals, direct gift solicitations, sponsorships, and event management. The Director of Development will strategically manage individual and corporate donor campaigns, oversee major fundraisers, and support additional development initiatives to ensure the organization meets its revenue goals and secures necessary resources to achieve its mission.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

– Support the mission of the Disabled Athlete Sports Association.
– Collaborate with the Executive Director and agency leaders to set goals, objectives, and strategies for fundraising efforts.
– Create and implement the annual development plan and strategy to drive increased fundraising.
– Develop and direct comprehensive fundraising programs, including capital and endowment campaigns, annual fund, and major gift efforts.
– Supervise the development and integration of solicitation strategies for planned gifts, major gifts, special gifts, and the annual fund, in collaboration with the Engagement Director.
– Assess the agency’s fundraising potential by analyzing giving history, sport programs, and Board composition to make effective solicitation assignments.
– Develop and execute solicitation and stewardship strategies for donors and sponsors.
– Design and manage appeals for donor memberships, introductory gifts, annual gifts, pledges, recurring donations, and re-activation gifts.
– Plan and manage fundraising events, including the annual gala, in collaboration with the Engagement Director and Executive Director.
– Create email and social media content aimed at donors and prospects to communicate the case for support and the impact of their contributions, in partnership with the Marketing Coordinator.
– Report development activities and results to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
– Institute metrics to measure progress toward fundraising goals and ensure accountability.
– Cultivate and steward new and existing donors through personalized visits, correspondence, special events, and timely acknowledgments.
– Manage direct reports, including hiring, training, performance evaluation, and professional development, ensuring their productivity supports departmental goals.
– Collaborate with the Engagement Director to maintain the development database.
– Assist the Executive Director with donor communications, such as annual appeals, annual reports, newsletters, and donor impact reports.
– Support the grant writing team by gathering information needed for securing funding and meeting grant application and reporting deadlines.
– Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

– Proven experience as a frontline fundraiser, successfully securing major gifts and cultivating individual donors while increasing support from existing donors.
– High-energy, positive, “can-do” attitude with a sincere passion for the mission, showing flexibility, teamwork, attention to detail, and a high degree of initiative.
– Strong leadership style and approach that inspires confidence and promotes effective team collaboration.
– Ability to form meaningful relationships with donors, board members, and staff to enhance development efforts.
– Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to write clearly and persuasively.
– Demonstrated strategic thinking with a thorough understanding of best practices in development and fundraising.
– Proven ability to prospect, cultivate, and manage new funding sources.
– Strong partnership-building and event planning skills.
– Advanced computer proficiency and knowledge of database management, with experience in fundraising management software and CRM platforms preferred.
– Ability to work independently while contributing to the overall DASA team, ensuring a collaborative environment.
– Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage deadlines and maintain an effective workflow.
– Demonstrated ability to meet objectives, supervise others, evaluate program priorities, and manage initiatives.
– Commitment to maintaining a safe, functional working environment while adhering to organizational philosophy, rules, and policies.
– Effective communication and public speaking skills to articulate the organization’s mission and needs to both internal and external stakeholders.

Education & Experience Requirements

– Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
– Minimum of 3 years of nonprofit fundraising and development experience with a proven ability to achieve fundraising goals.

Working Conditions and Requirements of the Job

– Valid driver’s license.
– Ability to pass a pre-employment background screening.
– Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required for fundraising events.
– Ability to work effectively, comfortably, and respectfully with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds, races, and nationalities.
– The Disabled Athlete Sports Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, gender (including gender identity or expression), religion, marital or domestic partner status, age, physical, mental or medical disability, sexual orientation, citizenship, military service status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.

Application Instructions

To apply for the position, please email a cover letter, resume, and list of three professional references to dasa@dasasports.org with subject line: Director of Development Application – First & Last Name.