Director of Development

Position: Director of Development

Reports to: ECDC President

Status: Full-Time/Exempt

Location: Arlington, Virginia

Workplace: On-site (Work from home once a week after 90 days on the job.)

Background: The Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc. (ECDC), established in 1983, is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to resettle refugees, promote cultural, educational, and socio-economic development programs in the immigrant and refugee community in the United States, and conduct humanitarian and socio-economic development programs in the Horn of Africa.Since 1991, ECDC has resettled refugees from around the world. ECDC’s resettlement network includes seven branch offices and 18 affiliated community-based non-profit agencies.

Position Summary: The Director of Development develops and implements a comprehensive and strategic approach to expand, diversify, and manage ECDC’s fundraising efforts, including research, donor cultivation, grant proposal writing, special events, and other fundraising activities, and performs other duties as assigned.

Key Responsibilities

1. Create and Implement a Comprehensive Fundraising Strategy
   • Prepare an annual development plan and budget to diversify and increase ECDC’s funding, which sets out realistic and specific goals and objectives that specify projected time frames and funding targets, including special events, individual donor solicitations, and evaluation of the activities undertaken.
   • Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes identifying and researching potential public and private funding resources, including local, state, and federal government agencies and regional and national corporations and foundations, to develop program support, in-kind donations, and non-restrictive financial support for existing and new ECDC programs and services.
   • Establish and manage systems for tracking and reporting fundraising progress and success.
   • Work closely with ECDC’s President and board members to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including donors and community leaders.
2. Drive Public Awareness of ECDC’s Mission/Needs/Deliverables to Impact Organizational Growth
   • Develop strategies to increase the visibility and support of the organization’s mission, programs, and services to maximize public awareness.
   • Coordinate and manage special ECDC events such as dinners, auctions, and similar activities.
   • Represent the organization at community events, conferences, and other public forums to enhance ECDC’s visibility and influence.
   • Develop/promote donor cultivation, solicitation, and recognition strategies to foster positive and enduring relationships that produce shared benefits with corporations, foundations, individuals, government agencies, faith-based, and other non-profit organizations.
   • Foster an understanding of philanthropy within the organization.
   • Coordinate the designing, printing, and distribution of marketing materials for development efforts.
   • Coordinate and manage special events such as dinners, auctions, and similar activities.
3. Lead Organizational Grant Writing Activities
   • Research grant opportunities from government and non-government agencies that match the organization’s missions.
   • Work with appropriate ECDC staff to write and submit funding proposals to corporate and private foundations and local, state, and federal government agencies to enhance and support ECDC’s programs.
   • Develop and manage proposal preparation timelines.
   • Coordinate and follow up on the progress of submitted proposals.
   • Meet regularly with ECDC program leaders and staff to discuss current and new funding needs.

Qualifications

• College degree. A master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 5-year successful track record in non-profit fund-raising activities, particularly for health and human services, training, entrepreneurship, and national projects engaging 2-4 partners.
• Knowledge of fundraising, resource development, and planned giving.
• A portfolio of individual and corporate contacts who might assist with ECDC’s growth is a plus
• Proactive, takes the initiative, and is self-motivated.
• Excellent writing and computer skills (Microsoft Office).
• Experience developing project budgets.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and plan workload to meet deadlines on a timely basis, occasionally under limited time constraints.
• Ability to relate professionally to and collaborate collegially with diverse individuals in a multicultural environment and with local, state, federal, and foundation representatives.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the U.S.