DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Global Down Syndrome Foundation

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is seeking an experienced, dynamic fund raiser to identify, cultivate, secure and steward major gifts from prospective and current major donors. At the direction of the Executive Director and with guidance from the Sr. Director of Operations & Government Affairs, this professional stewards individuals, foundations and corporations, and solicits major gifts from new and existing donors to grow Global’s financial resource development capacity.

FOUNDATION OVERVIEW

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (the ‘Foundation’) is a high-growth, non-profit organization dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through government advocacy, education, awareness and fundraising for the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome.

Established in 2009, the Foundation’s primary focus is to support the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome (the ‘Institute’). The Institute is the first organization in the U.S. with the mission to eradicate the medical and cognitive ill effects associated with Down syndrome through basic and clinical research and through clinical care. With headquarters at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Colorado the Institute incorporates scientific partners both locally and globally, and also researches related medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gift Cultivation

1. Working with the Foundation’s senior management team, creates and implements a comprehensive development plan to incrementally grows donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations for annual, multi-year and planned giving contributions.

2. Identifies, cultivate, secures and stewards major gifts for endowments, general donations, and event/program sponsorships from prospective and current donors. Creates customized strategies to maximize donor interaction and create long-standing relationships that are mutually beneficial to donors and the organization.

3. Maintains an active calendar of meetings with major gifts donors and prospects.

4. Develops strategies and practices to maintain and establish Foundation committees and memberships. Nurtures and stewards strong working bonds with key donors on various Foundation committees or membership circles.

Communications and Strategy

5. Works with the Executive Director and other senior management team members to provide ongoing support to the Foundation donor community. With leadership and marketing staff, assists in development and dissemination of appropriate major gifts marketing materials for individuals, foundations, and companies.

6. Participates on the team coordinating the Foundation’s signature event, the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, as well as other related projects designed to generate and enhance support.

7. Collaborates with colleagues at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome and the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation to identify stewardship opportunities, and prospects for leadership gifts and endowments.

8. Assists with long-range and strategic planning on comprehensive development areas and helps communicate relevant goals to staff, fundraising committee and board members. Offers ideas and share solutions to optimize major and individual giving programs.

Donor Recognition

9. Creates and implements a robust donor recognition program.

10. Upon receipt of contributions, provides rigorous, timely follow-through to appropriately acknowledge donors with thank you letters, updates, and gestures of appreciation.

Reporting

11. Produces timely, accurate and comprehensive reports for the Executive Director, the Sr. Director of Operations and Government Affairs, and various committees and members as appropriate, using key performance indicators to track the progress of major gifts activity.

12. Ensures each contribution is accurately recorded in a timely manner, maintains comprehensive donor profiles, and works with the organization to maximize the effective use of the constituent database.

13. Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or others as directed by the Executive Director.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor’s degree required

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of previous development experience including gifts of $10,000 and above. Experience with multi-year fundraising solicitations preferred.

Skills & Abilities:

· Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with donors and prospects
· Extremely strong interpersonal skills, particularly regarding discretion, confidentiality, patience and understanding necessary for dealing effectively with a diverse group of co-workers, volunteers, donors and families
· Intuitive communication and listening skills. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
· Experience in providing a high level of customer service to both external and internal constituency
· Positive and friendly disposition
· PC literacy with strong competency in all Microsoft Office Suite programs (Work, Excel, PowerPoint) Outlook and donor database software (Razor’s Edge).
· Proven comfort working with high-net-worth individuals and dedicated philanthropists
· Critical thinking skills, organizational and time management skills
· Prior experience in budgetary processes and financial reporting
· Experience in data collection and understanding importance of maintaining accurate and up to date information for historic and reporting purposes
· Highly motivated, self-directed, reliable and accurate in executing duties
· Ability to work effectively with ethnic, cultural and ability diverse populations
· Passion for working in the community serving the differently-abled
· Collaborative team player with proven ability to work effectively with individuals at all organizational levels
· Knowledge of the Denver philanthropic community strongly preferred
• Ability to work calmly under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to travel for events, donor meetings and related business
• Flexibility to work extended hours to meet deadlines and attend Foundation-related events which may occur on evenings and weekends

To apply:

TO APPLY

Please send cover letter, resume and salary history to ellen@intogreatmanagement.com. Any questions should be directed to Ellen Goldstein, President, IntoGreat Management Partners at 303-885-4555.