The Amherst Survival Center is seeking an experienced and effective fundraising professional to lead the development program of the Center, ensuring that the organization has the financial resources to sustain and expand its critical role providing food, clothing, healthcare, and community. The Director of Development’s primary focus is individual and business giving, using a fundraising approach that celebrates our collective responsibility, community capacity, shared humanity, and dignity of all. With a current budget of $2.1M (plus more than $2.5M of in-kind contributions -- primarily donated food), the Center is well positioned with robust community support, many long-term relationships, and a strong reputation for providing high-quality and effective services in an inclusive and respectful manner.
Candidates should bring a minimum of 4 years (6+ preferred) of fund development experience at the coordinator/manager level or higher, with primary duties related to individual fundraising; demonstrated track record of meeting/exceeding fundraising goals; and exemplary written and verbal communication skills. Candidates with direct experience cultivating and securing major gifts (5-figure +) strongly preferred. Candidates must be highly organized, have strong attention to detail, and be able to tell our story in clear, compelling ways that center the dignity and humanity of all Amherst Survival Center community members.
*Important note: While we would strongly prefer to hire for this role at the Director level, we will also consider candidates with less experience at the Manager level ($66,500-71,500/year) for an adjusted position. Candidates should indicate in their cover letter if they are interested in being considered for a Manager-level role.
Description: The Director of Development is responsible for leading the development program of the Amherst Survival Center, holding primary accountability for meeting annual fundraising goals; and doing so with a fundraising approach that lifts our collective responsibility, community capacity, shared humanity, and dignity of all. The Director of Development’s primary focus is individual and business/organizational giving, including annual giving, major giving, planned giving, fundraising events, and sponsorship. The Director of Development is a member of the organization’s leadership team, and has the lead responsibility for the creation, implementation, and assessment of the Center’s development strategies. The Director of Development leads the execution of the development plan, working in partnership with the Executive Director and Development Committee, and with support from the Development Associate.
Hours/classification: This is a full time, exempt (salaried) position. The schedule is generally weekdays, with some evening and weekend availability required for events. Limited remote work may be feasible.
Essential Responsibilities:
Development Strategy
- Envision, design and implement short and long-term development and communication strategy to enhance visibility and financial support of the organization, increasing fundraising capacity.
- Ensure development strategy is both effective at achieving revenue goals and in alignment with our approach, lifting our collective responsibility, community capacity, shared humanity, and dignity of all.
- Evaluate fundraising activities (appeals, events, sponsorship, etc.) for effectiveness and improvement. Identify, assess, and implement new or different activities and approaches as appropriate to meet goals for increased revenue.
- Serve as an active member of the organization’s leadership team, ensuring continuity between operational and developmental strategy, feasibility of operational goals, and integration of development priorities throughout the organization.
- Engage staff, Board, and other stakeholders in building a shared, values-aligned approach to fundraising—fostering a culture of philanthropy rooted in dignity, authenticity, and shared purpose.
Donor Cultivation, Stewardship & Solicitation
- Develop relationships with donors and stakeholders, inspiring support of the Center.
- Direct ongoing donor stewardship program, including coordinating the donor stewardship efforts of the Development Committee.
- Lead donor prospecting efforts. Identify, research, and cultivate new major gift prospects. Develop and implement moves management system.
- Direct and support donor meetings with the Executive Director, and/or Board and Committee Members.
- Direct and support stewardship of major donors and special project donors with the Executive Director.
- Ensure timely and personalized acknowledgement of donors.
- Envision, manage and execute donor appeals and special campaigns, including writing and developing associated materials.
- Manage donor database (currently Donor Perfect).
- Ensure adherence to appropriate processes for gift handling, recording, and acknowledgement.
- Ensure we have effective development-related collateral.
Fundraising Events
- Lead event strategy-- planning, coordinating and executing in partnership with development or event committees.
- Serve as staff liaison to event planning committees and coordinate event volunteers, either directly, or overseeing Development Associate in this capacity, depending on the event.
Development Committee
- Serve as staff liaison to the Development Committee.
- Plan and facilitate effective Development Committee meetings in partnership with the committee chair.
- Provide training, support, and follow up to Development Committee members to increase their effectiveness.
Other Duties
- Lead development team, including direct supervision of the Development Associate (who is responsible for gift entry, letter production, event support, and other development assistance), as well as any contractors or volunteers. Foster engagement, collaboration, and accountability. Maintain thorough and accurate supervisory documentation.
- Support grant submission process through opportunity, deadline and progress tracking and submission assistance. Provide writing support for grants and or material coordination as required.
- Serve as a key representative of the Amherst Survival Center with Community Stakeholders.
- Provide external communications support. (With organizational capacity and alignment of skills, this role may expand to include oversight of web content, social media, and communications strategy.)
- Support coordination between development and program staff on business and organizational drives for food and goods, engaging business partners and supporting acknowledgement.
- Work as part of collaborative staff team to ensure that all operations run smoothly, including occasionally substituting in various program areas.
- Demonstrate professionalism at all times, including appreciating and supporting those you work with, showing respect to all ASC participants, demonstrating high ethical and moral standards, and acting with honesty and fairness in all of your dealings with others.
- Share commitment and work to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of all donated goods.
- Approach work with an attitude of continuous improvement.
- Play an active role as part of the Amherst Survival Center team to develop organizational structures and policies, and ensure all program areas fulfill the Center’s mission, including playing an active role in the Center’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Participate in intentional learning opportunities, including a focus on understanding and dismantling institutional racism and building cultural competency.
- Other reasonable duties as assigned by Executive Director or designee.
Working Conditions: The Center is a fast-paced environment which can be crowded and noisy. Position primarily works indoors, with occasional outdoor exposure. Role includes primarily desk activities, including frequent reading (print and electronic), writing, typing, and talking on the telephone. Some lifting or carrying of up to 20 pounds required when transporting materials.
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum 7 years of work experience.
- Minimum 4 years of fund development experience, at the coordinator/manager level or higher, with primary duties related to individual fundraising: annual giving, major giving, donor prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship. (Additional years of experience preferred.)
- Minimum of 2 years of marketing and/or communications experience. (May be included in above.)
- Demonstrated track record of consistently meeting or exceeding revenue goals under purview.
- Exemplary written and verbal communications skills, including development of clear, strategic and compelling fundraising messaging; effective and ethical storytelling; attention to word choice and grammar; copyediting.
- Proficiency with external communications and development of fundraising collateral.
- High capacity to engage stakeholders and develop relationships.
- Prior experience using and managing donor tracking software and giving platforms.
- Outstanding organizational skills and follow-through. Strong attention to detail.
- Successful project and/or event management experience.
- Prior experience managing confidential information appropriately with high level of discretion.
- Strong research and data analysis skills.
- Ability to effectively prioritize work to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- High capacity to work and communicate effectively in a collaborative environment.
- High capacity for creative and effective development strategy.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (word and excel).
- Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation for work related travel.
- Strong appreciation for organization’s mission, values and approach, with a strong commitment to working with and supporting all members of the Amherst Survival Center community and ensuring the fair and equitable distribution of goods.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 6-10+ years of experience in development, at the coordinator/manager level or higher, with primary duties as noted above.
- Significant knowledge of and 2+ years of successful experience with major gift (5-figure) prospecting, cultivation, asking, and closing strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated success significantly expanding a fundraising program or leading organizational revenue growth.
- Past experience and success with capital campaigns.
- Knowledge of and prior success with any of the following areas: planned giving, peer-to-peer fundraising, business and organizational sponsorship programs (including corporate giving), fundraising event planning and coordination, and grant writing.
- Knowledge of best practices in community centered fundraising or other approaches to support equity and justice in fundraising.
- Strong preference for candidates who bring additional skills, capacity, and perspective that strengthen our ability to meet our mission such as: language proficiency in addition to English; lived experience with food insecurity; lived experience with or a deep understanding of the impacts of racism; community engagement; experience working on food justice issues; experience working within organizations on diversity, equity, and inclusion; collaborative leadership, and/or other relevant skills.
Language Proficiency:
- Fluency (written and verbal) in English required.
- While working proficiency in additional languages is not a qualification for this role, the Amherst Survival Center does offer a bilingual differential for employees with professional proficiency/fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, or other priority languages.
Pay: $84,000.00 - $91,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have a valid Driver’s license and ability to be insured on agency policy?
- Do you currently have, or have you ever had, any affiliation or connection with the Amherst Survival Center?
- Why are you interested in working at the Amherst Survival Center?
- What skills or experience do you have that make you a good fit for this role?
- We have a strong preference for candidates who bring additional skills, capacity, and perspective that strengthen our ability to meet our mission such as: language proficiency in addition to English; lived experience with food insecurity; lived experience with or a deep understanding of the impacts of racism; community engagement; experience working on food justice issues; experience working within organizations on diversity, equity, and inclusion; collaborative leadership, and/or other relevant skills. Is there anything you would like to share about your skills, capacity, or perspective you would bring? (optional)
- Is there anything else you would like us to know? (optional)
- Which best aligns with the level for the role that you are applying for? Please respond with: Director or Manager.
Work Location: In person
