Position overview
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President of Development creates, cultivates, implements and monitors a comprehensive fundraising strategy of $2M annually, encompassing all aspects of development activities including individual, corporate and foundation giving.
As a part of the executive team, the Vice President of Development will carry all relationships of the Discovery Cube in Los Angeles, establish creative strategies to grow contributed revenues, and deliver on those strategies.
The ideal candidate has demonstrated success in all aspects of individual giving including prospecting, donor cultivation, and stewardship, with a special emphasis securing major gifts.
The ideal candidate knows the fundraising landscape of Los Angeles and is skilled in building relationships.
Additionally, the Vice President of Development will provide leadership for and management of the development department of three staff members at DCLA.
As a visionary and entrepreneurial leader, they will have an ability create a cohesive team and culture of philanthropy within the organization.
This position is also responsible for raising funds towards new capital projects including the upcoming $25M Sustainability Park Expansion.
Roles and responsibilities
Development Strategy and Leadership
Create and implement a multi-year strategic fundraising plan with achievable milestones to grow the annual contributed revenues to $3M in collaboration with the CEO, development staff, and Board members that aligns with the organization’s values, mission, vision, and plans, supporting all of the organizational programming.
Plan, lead, and direct the organization’s overall development efforts to achieve fundraising goals.
Provide regular reports as the staff liaison on fundraising efforts to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors.
Cultivate short and long-term strategies for accomplishing annual, long-term and capital development goals and deliverables in the development plan.
Oversee the development department consisting of a Director of Corporate Relations, Associated Director of Development for Individual Giving, and the Development Associate.
Provide fundraising training to Board members and staff.
Assist in identifying potential Board members, supervise Board record keeping and archiving Board documents such as minutes, agendas, and documents that are available for public inspection.
Fundraising
Oversee all fundraising initiatives and events as defined in the development plan.
Develop and grow the donor base, focusing on identifying, soliciting, stewarding and upgrading donor gifts (including individual and major gifts).
Develop and carry a donor portfolio of major gift prospects for both annual and capital funds.
Implement a robust donor-prospecting program to attract diverse donors.
Engage the Board and CEO in donor acquisition and cultivation to determine contact strategies for assigned prospects through training, motivation, and support.
Create and enforce a moves management system that drives increased cultivation and solicitation strategies for donors and prospects.
Establish donor support group comparable to The Muses at California Science Center.
Community Engagement and Events
Direct a comprehensive multi-channel fundraising strategy as part of the development plan that includes online fundraising, social media, direct mail and collateral materials.
Evaluate and develop events that will expand the organization’s community presence.
Develop fundraising materials in collaboration with the marketing department that further the reach and develop the public image of the center.
Act as public spokesperson for DCLA and the department, representing the Center to donor constituents and the community.
Support staff for major special events such as Gala and Golf tournament.
Qualifications
A minimum of 5 years of progressive and relevant experience in not-for-profit fundraising and management; Bachelor’s degree, preferred.
Proven track record of cultivating major donors and raising major gifts with demonstrated ability to raise funds from individuals and institutions as well as capital fundraising.
Demonstrated strategic approach and experience implementing a development plan, developing and implementing processes and systems to measure fundraising activity and accountability as well as forecasting.
Highly desired proficiency and working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Raiser’s Edge or another CRM.
Demonstrated experience overseeing and developing staff.
Demonstrated experience stewarding a Board of Directors.
Strong interpersonal and communication skillset and demonstrated ability to work effectively with a variety of persons, gaining their respect and support.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated experience writing proposals, crafting donor communications, solicitation letters, and other fundraising written materials