VIA seeks a dynamic Development Director who will play a leadership role in VIA’s ambitious expansion plans by significantly growing VIA’s fund raising. The ideal candidate will strongly identify with VIA’s mission of cross-cultural exchange, service and leadership development, and with VIA’s goal to expand accessibility of VIA programs.
VIA delivers international leadership development experiences that inspire and equip a new generation in the U.S. and Asia to develop a global mindset, transcend boundaries and work for change. Since 1963, VIA has placed over 1,700 young professionals and recent university graduates from the U.S. as service fellows serving educational institutions and nonprofit organizations in Asia. Through VIA 2020, VIA’s recently adopted impact strategy, we are changing the one-year fellowship model and dramatically expanding our intensive study and service trips in Asia. We will also grow medical, leadership and social innovation programs for 300 Asian university students that are conducted at Stanford, San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
With VIA 2020, we are embarking on an ambitious plan to deepen our educational impact, double the number of participants we reach, and strengthen our partnerships. Growth will increase financial sustainability through a combination of fee-for-service programs and expanding fund raising. The Development Director will be an integral part of the leadership team as we increase VIA’s capacity to promote cross-cultural understanding and offer transformative learning opportunities. VIA’s nine full-time staff members manage an annual budget of $2.8 million.
Key Responsibilities
The Development Director will work collaboratively with the Executive Director, with input from the staff and Board, to expand an engagement strategy that will realize an increase in funding for VIA by identifying and securing new sources of financial support and by strengthening the connection between VIA and its alumni–including major donors and recent alumni. Communications, events and regional gatherings will be important tools that cultivate lasting support. In addition, the Development Director will play a key role in communicating VIA 2020, our newly adopted impact strategy, to energize alumni and foundation supporters.
Specifically, the Development Director sets goals and direction, and creates the systems, processes and procedures for success in these key areas:
Fund Raising Strategy: Lead the creation and execution of VIA’s annual fundraising plan that secures financial support from individuals and foundations. Increase engagement of board members and alumni in fund raising activities. Measure and evaluate fund raising progress.
Individual Donor Fund Raising: Actively engage in cultivation and solicitation of donors. Partner with the Executive Director in leading the Board to cultivate major donors. Implement initiatives to move donors to higher giving levels, increase donor retention and reach lapsed donors. Develop written materials and short videos to keep donors informed, excited and increase the size of individual gifts. Design and produce two annual campaign mailings to alumni that communicate VIA’s impact in a compelling way. Thank donors and maintain accurate database records to generate useful reports. Develop and implement an online giving strategy.
Alumni Engagement: Work with VIA board members and alumni in the U.S. and Asia to plan and implement activities that reach out to the VIA network. Engage younger alumni to begin donating. Take the lead in organizing VIA events such as alumni reunions, alumni study tour to Asia and online auction. Develop and maintain alumni pages of VIA’s website. Use social media and electronic communications to engage younger alumni.
Grantmaker Relations: Develop and implement a fund raising strategy to increase foundation, government and corporate grants. Research and respond to public and private grant opportunities in the areas of international educational exchange and international development. Maintain and manage a grants calendar. Work with program staff to tell VIA’s story and coordinate with a grant writing consultant, as appropriate, to write grant proposals and reports. Coordinate publication of VIA’s biennial report.
Position Qualifications
Preferred Background:
Minimum of three years’ experience leading one or more aspects of fund development (foundation relations, annual campaigns, or major donors), ideally for an international, community development or education organization
Demonstrated ability to set and achieve ambitious but feasible fund raising goals
Communication Skills:
Ability to persuasively communicate VIA’s impact/value proposition verbally and in writing
Demonstrated success cultivating donors and asking for individual donations of $2,500 or more
A strong team orientation, with ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people
Experience with engaging younger donors
Planning and Management Skills:
Detail-oriented
Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Able to create letters, brochures, newsletters and reports with minimal oversight
A creative and resourceful problem solver and strategic thinker
Other Desired Skills:
Prior grant writing experience
Ability to design/lay out online and print newsletters, make simple website updates and create short videos to highlight program impacts
Experience with Salesforce database
Experience with online fund raising, including use of social media
Prior living and work experience in Asia a plus
Flexible schedule is required for occasional evening/weekend events. Bachelor’s degree required. Other tasks as assigned by the Executive Director. This position is based in VIA’s San Francisco office.
Compensation
Salary commensurate with experience. VIA provides full health, dental, vision and disability insurance for employee. This is a full-time, exempt position with 21 days of paid vacation per year.
How to apply
Send cover letter, resume and salary expectations with subject heading “VIA Development Director” to melissa@viaprograms.org by October 1 for fullest consideration.