The Director of Strategy and Resource Development will have the unique opportunity to create a vision and concept for the development of Life Town, a 32,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor complex that will provide critical services and social outlets for special needs children, their families, and the greater community. Life Town will change the way tomorrow’s leaders relate to people with special needs. Teaching kids basic life skills in a small city environment. The Director of Strategy and Resource Development will also be required to provide leadership, strategic direction and coordination as well as setting priorities for the Friendship Circle. This includes engaging, retaining and fostering long term relationships with current partners as well as finding new prospective foundations that are aligned with our mission, nurturing a relationship with them leading them to become a part of the Friendship Circle mission.

The Director of Strategy and Resource Development is hired by and reports directly to the Executive Director. The responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to the following:

Responsibilities are not limited to (Life Town Project will expand as the project evolves)

Fundraising and Resource Development:

Friendship Circle • Designs, implements and manages all fundraising activities including annual giving, and special projects. • Manages all strategies and activities for donor cultivation, solicitation, and relations. Maintains contact with and develops grant proposals for foundations and corporations.

Life Town • Secure funding for an educational component by creating an educational facility/day school • Create and lead the overall resource development strategy for individuals, corporations, and foundations, including major prospect cultivation, and resource development events. • Seek out and develop innovative funding partnerships with organizations that further the goals of the Friendship Circle. • Communicate a positive image of the Friendship Circle to build confidence and trust with stakeholders and the public. Works to build and maintain support for the organization at the highest levels through collaborative partnerships and visible leadership.

Grant Proposal Writing and Reporting:

• Maintain current records in database and in paper files, including grant tracking and reporting. • Responsible for conducting the full range of activities required to prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals to foundation and corporate sources. • Work with Executive Director to gather information necessary to report to corporate/foundation funders on current grant programs. • Comply with all grant reporting as required by foundation or corporate donors. • Provide stewardship to current donors, including work with Development Resource Assistants to provide regular written updates (newsletters etc) to corporate and foundation donors. • Prioritizing projects to keep multiple projects moving in a timely manner; meet deadlines and manage supplemental material required for proposals’.

Donor Relations:

• Oversees the Foundation’s gift acknowledgment and donor recognition programs. Learns the interests of current donor advisors and the overall workings and focus of the Foundation’s competitive grant program. • Works with the Communications Officer to write or update marketing materials such as the Giving Guide, special flyers for new initiatives, and other materials to promote resource development at the Foundation. • When necessary, represents the Foundation at public events and makes presentations to donor groups, civic groups, and at other special events.

Public Relations:

• Works closely with the Executive Director, Director, and Special Events and Marketing Manager to develop public relations plan and an advertising plan. • Develops and implements strategies to promote Friendship Circle’s mission to both the internal constituencies of the organization and the community at large.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years of experience in development • Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree • Demonstrated success in networking to build creative and mutually beneficial business relationships within the corporate, public, and nonprofit sectors. • Previous experience with non-profit fundraising. • Experience working in deadline-driven environments. • Able to work well in a team environment, handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines. • Able to work independently • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Experience in raising money for both startups and existing organizations. • Must be a relationship-builder who is able to adapt his or her communication style to work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders with multiple priorities as well as a diverse set of fund development prospects. • Compensation will be considered with experience.

How to apply

please email resume to yossi@gotfriends.com