Director of Development & Engagement

IT TAKES A COMMUNITY.

Our Story, Our Mission

Since its founding in 2004, Communities In Schools of Nevada has been driven by the belief that every child has unlimited potential but may not have access to equal opportunities to succeed. Our three regional affiliates work across four rural and urban school districts to provide over 100,000 Nevada students at 118 high poverty schools a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult and a safe place to learn and grow to break down whatever barriers may exist in their lives.

With more than 120 + community partners, we coordinate resources and services - literally bringing Community into our Schools - to do whatever it takes in supporting the students we serve. CIS of Nevada is one of 26 state offices in a national network with more than 45 years of experience implementing our evidence-based solution for 1.7 million students.

In 2022-2023, CIS of Nevada celebrated a K-12 promotion rate of 99% and our statewide high school graduation rate of 94%.

Scope of Work

The Director of Development and Engagement is responsible for personal cultivation and solicitation of gifts as well as donor stewardship and recognition. The Director works closely with the Chief Development Officer, Finance and Grants Department, Affiliates and Development Team to implement the fundraising strategy which incorporates communications, events, and ongoing fundraising programs for CIS. This role is instrumental in designing and implementing innovative strategies to build and maintain donor relationships throughout the State of Nevada.

Job Purpose/Summary
Major Gift Research, Cultivation, Solicitation and Management
Statewide Donors, Individual, Corporate & Foundations
State Office, Affiliate and Board Relations
Management of Development Staff to assist in the Design and Implement Special Events
Management of Development Activities and Infrastructure

Duties and Responsibilities

Major Gift Research, Cultivation, Solicitation and Management

• Prospect Research & Cultivation: Conduct research to identify Major Gift donor prospects.
• Develop a cultivation and solicitation plan which involves building relationships with prospects through personal visits and events.
• Identify and cultivate prospects with potential for planned gifts including endowment and charitable gift annuities.
• Solicitation & Donor Strategy: Develop strategies designed to solicit and cultivate new donors.
• Establish a strategic and systematic focus on closing five and six-figure commitments from high net-worth individuals.
• Research target communities and potential donors.
• Donor Relationship Management: Create cultivation and stewardship materials including progress reports, updates, and proposals.
• Create involvement opportunities for major gifts donors, such as site visits, volunteer events, annual luncheons, and special events.
• Track all interactions with donors and prospects in the customer relationship management system, Donor Perfect.

Statewide Development and Engagement

• Plans, coordinates, and executes all state fundraising events, fundraising activities and donor relations.
• Works with the CDO, Affiliate Executive Directors, and State Board to develop and execute a broad-based, diversified development strategic plan that addresses the funding needs of each of the affiliates and the state office.
• Assures that the development plan includes multi-tiered funding efforts, which include corporate giving, individual giving, major gifts, and event fundraising.
• Provides ongoing facilitation and follow up support to Affiliates to ensure an equitable allocation of potential resources between affiliates and the state office to meet each affiliate's needs.
• Cultivates, solicits, manages, and retains an expanding cadre of donors throughout each fiscal year.
• Provides training support to State Affiliates to ensure opportunities for prospect engagement are maximized.
• Assist in organizing, supporting, identifying and training a core group of board member volunteers and non-board member volunteers to assist in this and other aspects of development.
• State Office, Affiliate and Board Relations
• Works closely with the State Board Development and Engagement Taskforce to ensure coordination of activities; provides support to Affiliate Executive Directors as needed to develop and implement donor strategies.
• Works with CDO, Resource Development Taskforce Committee and board members, Affiliate Executive Directors, and State Staff to ensure that the state office budget is met each year and that a mutually agreeable amount is passed through the state office to each affiliate.

Special Event Design and Implementation

• Advises on the creation, design, and execution of State Office and State Affiliate fundraising events.

Management of Development Activities and Infrastructure

• Work with CDO to create development department infrastructure; implement systems to support development projects and operations.

Other Duties

• From time to time, other duties may be assigned that are out of the purview of this position description. These duties will not be outside of the scope of core competencies expected for this position. CIS anticipates that the incumbent will function as an important member of the overall CIS management team, and in this regard, may be asked to assist on allied projects or assignments to assist the team in reaching established goals.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Experienced management professional with solid non-profit development or sales experience preferred.
• Bachelor's degree (preferred) with major in hospitality, marketing, communications, non-profit leadership, or related field plus 4-6 years of development experience in a professional capacity, or equivalent
• Major gift fundraising and experience building long term relationships with demonstrated ability to generate large scale financial and other commitments a plus.
• Value the ability to convene small groups of business/community leaders and entertain such groups with the intent of soliciting major gifts or contacts for major gifts.
• Candidate must have successfully raised money through a Major Gifts program, or equivalent. Well-connected in Nevada's education, social service and/or business community.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills are required; must be able to inspire and persuade five and six-figure commitments from high net-worth individuals.
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to strategically and successfully execute special events.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, experience with donor software.
• Sensitivity to needs of youth and diverse ethnic populations.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work environment is indoors and climate controlled. Maybe exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
• Moderate noise levels as found in a business office and classroom setting.
• Use of own automobile.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check, possible fingerprinting, and drug screen.
• Travel required across the State of Nevada