Description:
Purpose of Position:
The Vice President of Development's role is to further the mission of Make-A-Wish by leading and overseeing all statewide resource development, fundraising, and outreach efforts in close partnership with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This role provides strategic and operational leadership to build and sustain individual, major gifts, foundation, corporate, grants and event-related giving opportunities with a strong emphasis on relationship-based fundraising. This position is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with organizational marketing initiatives and driving growth through innovative approaches. The role directs day-to-day development activities, ensures achievement of annual fundraising goals, and leads the Development team to successfully advance the organization’s mission and impact.
At Make-A-Wish Arizona, everyone is different and valued. We believe that people of any race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, faith, religion, age, physical and mental ability, neurodiversity, socioeconomic status, nationality, cultural background, military status, or any other aspect which makes them unique are welcome and important. Together, we continue to build a community that fosters so that we can grant the wish of every eligible child.
At Make-A-Wish Arizona, we strive to communicate openly and honestly while speaking our truth. We encourage all to do the same, and we acknowledge that these conversations can be difficult and uncomfortable. All viewpoints are welcome unless they spread misinformation or diminish or dehumanize others. Our commitment to this work enriches our organization and makes us all stronger together.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising:
- Define and manage organizational fundraising and outreach programs for individual, corporate, and annual giving with special attention to expanding the chapter’s major gifts program. Set financial benchmarks and ensure successful implementation of activities to meet revenue goals.
- Steward and promote the organization’s planned giving program.
- Lead efforts to strategize and assign major donor portfolios. Work closely with CEO to ensure excellence in relationship management, including ongoing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for current and prospective donors.
- Oversee the execution of a series of signature events designed to Increase revenue and exposure for our chapter. Events Include the annual AZ Wish Ball, Trees of Joy, and southern Arizona community breakfast among others.
Departmental leadership:
- Effective leader in Development activities for the entire organization, elevating the importance of philanthropy.
- Lead departmental development of annual fundraising plan; responsible for implementation of all associated activities.
- Lead activities to ensure a “donor-centered” culture of philanthropy is built into all programs, activities, and organizational communications.
- Evaluate all campaigns and event ROI annually; identify opportunities for growth. Assign incoming prospects to appropriate staff members
- Manage and support direct reports in the establishment and achievement of their annual goals and guide their career growth. (Independent Development Plans)
- Provide collaborative leadership, representing development department initiatives, goals, and progress.
- Ability to work in a hybrid environment and maintain motivation and creativity.
Board of Directors:
- Assist CEO in working closely with recruitment, training, development, and support for current Board members to realize their annual goals and objectives to support chapter.
- Prepare regular reports and presentations on development trends and metrics.
- Attend all Board of Director meetings; attend committee meetings as appropriate.
- Work closely with the CEO to support board members’ giving.
- Act as a productive, open, and supportive member of the Senior Leadership Team in conjunction with the CEO and Chief Administrative Officer.
- Collaborate with the VP of Mission Delivery to ensure the Mission and Development teams are working in support of each other.
- Collaborate with the Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations on any external messaging to promote development activities such as events, campaigns, matching gift opportunities, etc.
- Serve as the staff liaison to the Board’s development committee, providing the chair with analysis, collaborating on meeting agenda development, and overall strategic direction with the senior director of marketing.
- Provide leadership to Board members to help with solicitation of their networks and associates to raise general support, event sponsorship, and major gifts.
General:
- Ensure solid communication and trust is built between Development, Marketing, Operations and Program departments.
- Work collaboratively to achieve goals for program, finance, and administrative team members engaged in fundraising activity.
- Develop and ensure that plans, policies, and procedures related to philanthropy are written down, up-to-date, and clearly available for staff and Board member use in accordance with Make-A-Wish America standards.
- Participate in local internal and external fundraising events.
- Network with members of the local business community, philanthropy community, fellow non-profit organizations, and other Make-A-Wish chapters to increase awareness of mission; Attract financial support and discover and implement new initiatives adaptable for chapter.
- Monitor monthly revenue results and expense statements; Prepare alternate plans of action when necessary to meet overall financial goals.
- Engage with Wish Kids and families on a regular basis to better understand our mission and the impact of a wish.
Administrative:
- Oversee preparation of department revenue and expense budgets and participate in discussions/exercises surrounding completion of organizational annual budget.
- Hire, train, supervise, and review the performance of direct reports.
- Ensure that appropriate direction, support, and feedback to all development staff is utilized on a continual basis.
- Provide organizational leadership, model organizational culture and behavioral expectations, and define strategy as a member of the management team.
- Support and engage volunteers in organizational needs and activities as needed.
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Results Oriented – Delivers results, drives to exceed constituent expectations, exhibits a sense of continuous process improvement to enhance operational efficiency, and consistently provides a high quality of work product.
Communication – Effectively communicates verbally and in writing, in large and small meeting venues; Cascades key messages proactively to bring constituents, colleagues, and team members along and promotes open and transparent dialogue to build relationships.
Developing Others – Provides candid, respectful and real-time feedback for team members and colleagues, promotes a learning environment to build competence, and proactively develops others through stretch work assignments and other growth opportunities.
Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on identifying a solution rather than blaming, brings positivity to challenges, maintains confidentiality of sensitive information, listens to others without interrupting, exhibits the appropriate level of emotional response, remains open to others’ ideas, and tries new things – safe risk-taking.
Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities, excellent people manager, exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views, gives and welcomes feedback, contributes to building a positive team environment that promotes candor, puts success of team above own interests, can translate employee engagement with improved results, and supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
Requirements:
Required
- Bachelor’s Degree or comparable equivalent
- Minimum of seven years of experience with a non-profit or similar business model
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills
- Proven fundraising experience with a variety of donors
- Background and experience leading a team
- Proven budgeting experience
- Connection with and dedication to the Make-A-Wish® Mission
- CRM proficiency- Salesforce preferred
- High level of professionalism; ability to work successfully with a wide variety of constituents including staff, donors, board members, volunteers, peer chapter staff, national office staff, and outside partners.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
- Relationship database experience required, (Salesforce strongly preferred)
- Flexibility to work nights and weekends as needed
- Background in strategic planning and organizational development a plus
- Bilingual-Spanish/English a plus
Preferred
- Advanced degree (MA, J.D., etc.)
- Seven years or more experience with a non-profit or similar business model
- Experience with children and families facing medical crises
- Proven fundraising experience with individual donors at $10K level
- CFRE preferred
We respect and ensure equal opportunity, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, perceived disability, and other legally protected characteristics.
NOTE: Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job, though this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
This position is FLSA Exempt, Salaried and not subject to overtime compensation.
