Director of Development and Donor Engagement

Who We Are:

At WIHD, which was named one of the Best Places to Work by 914Inc., you will find a dynamic environment with staff of diverse backgrounds and perspectives who share a deep commitment to advancing the Organization’s mission. WIHD provides a positive working environment that promotes employee safety, growth and goal attainment. Our benefit package is generous and provides options to meet the needs of each employee. We offer flexible work schedules for many positions providing a setting with a desirable work-life balance.

WIHD’s mission is to create better futures for people with disabilities, for vulnerable children and for their families and caregivers. WIHD accomplishes its mission through professional education; innovative services and supports; community training and technical assistance; and research and information dissemination.

Development Director Summary: The Director of Development and Donor Engagement will manage all aspects of individual fundraising and events coordination, including an annual gala, year-end annual appeal, and capital and special projects campaigns. The Development Director reports to the President & CEO, and works in cooperation with the Board of Directors and WIHD Program Managers. Candidates must be results-oriented, a strong project manager, a detail-oriented executor, a strong communicator, and possess excellent relationship and strategic instincts. They should possess an understanding of and a passion for WIHD’s mission, vision, and values.

Responsibilities Include:

Individual Fundraising Program Management: Assume responsibility for the implementation of WIHD’s individual fundraising strategy; develop an annual individual fundraising plan with a fundraising goal and a proposed budget; provide staff support to the Board’s Development and Outreach Committee; prepare periodic reports to the Board; keep abreast of trends in fundraising.

Fundraising Events: Create and manage a fundraising calendar of events, including an annual gala. Coordinate the fundraising events including the gala committee; honoree recruitment and communication; event software; event marketing; ticket and sponsorship sales; vendor selection and coordination; volunteer coordination; auction and raffle execution. Evaluate need for and support requirements to develop fundraising campaigns to include outreach to Foundations and Corporations; Planned Giving Programs; Capital Campaigns; and other fundraising initiatives.

Fundraising Campaigns: Implement the year-end annual appeal by creating a theme and message, drafting a copy of the appeal, producing materials in partnership with a designer, coordinating mailings, and analyzing and reporting results. Support the organization’s multi-year capital campaign through prospecting, material development, supporting the committee and Board solicitors, and tracking and analyzing results.

Individual Fundraising/ Major Gifts: Oversee the ongoing cultivation/solicitation/stewardship activities of prospects and donors, focusing on major gifts. Identify potential donors and conduct donor research; strategize and orchestrate methods of approach to existing and new WIHD donors; manage donor relationships; develop briefings and speaking points; conduct in-person visits and provide support to CEO and Board members to conduct in-person visits; debrief and follow-up; update pipeline and maintain tracking report.

Database and Records Management: With the support of the Development Assistant, maintain the donor database; work with staff to ensure gifts are deposited, recorded, and acknowledged in a timely fashion; ensure effective donor relationship and engagement tracking; maintain security, confidentiality and controls; generate reports and exports as needed; utilize database to compile, sort and format data for mailings, reports, and letters; and manage any related vendors. Provide donor information for the Annual Report donor listing.

Donor Communications: Assume primary responsibility for the fundraising section of the WIHD website. Maintain communication with the donor audience through email campaigns and personalized outreach. Provide input on press releases and general external communications, such as WIHD’s Annual Report and Impact Reports. Coordinate WIHD’s social media strategy related to fundraising.

Supervision: Supervision of a part-time development assistant.

Qualifications:

Education: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a related field; certification or degree program including fundraising desirable.

Knowledge: An understanding of all components of individual fundraising and campaign management. Data driven mindset with the ability to analyze and act on campaign metrics.

Skills:

• Exceptional organizational and project management skills; Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to develop and maintain positive, collaborative and productive relationships with donors, volunteers, Board, and colleagues;
• Strong Microsoft Suite and ability to learn new software and programs; CMS platform familiarity preferred;
• Must possess the highest degree of discretion and confidentiality.

Kind and Length of Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in development, preferably in a non-profit, healthcare, or academic;
• Proven track record in fundraising or campaign management;
• 1-2 years of experience with donor management software and event management software.

WIHD is deeply committed to inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. We seek to ensure that qualified applicants are considered for employment and are not discriminated against with regard to race, color, national origin, citizen status, creed, religion, religious affiliations, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law.

The Director of Development and Donor Engagement position is full time, hybrid, located in Valhalla, NY. WIHD provides a comprehensive benefits package to include 4 weeks vacation, paid sick and holiday time, medical, dental, term life, STD, LTD and 403b ER contribution.