A Place Called Home

Los Angeles, CA

DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Chief Development Officer

Department: Development and Communications

Reports To: Executive Director 

COMPENSATION: DOE. APCH offers competitive compensation and a generous benefits package.

HOURS: Full-time, exempt position (will require some evening and weekend hours). 

LOCATION: APCH is located in South Central Los Angeles.

A Place Called Home (APCH) is a dynamic, nonprofit youth center in South Central Los Angeles, providing a safe, nurturing and enriching environment for young persons aged 8 to 21 and their families, particularly those most in need, to access a comprehensive, in-depth and personalized array of services and opportunities proven to improve their pathways for healthy, fulfilling and generous lives. 

APCH provides educational programs and scholarships, counseling, mentoring, music, dance, theater and art classes, fitness and health and wellness support. As youth participate in our programs, they discover interests, talents and skills and develop a clear sense of themselves and their possibilities for achievement. Our goal is to increase the likelihood that youth will stay in school, pursue higher education, attain viable jobs, and become active community members capable of making positive change in the world in which they live. For additional information, please visit www.apch.org. 

APCH has a $6 million annual budget, 90% of which is raised by our development department’s efforts. APCH serves up to 450 youth each day and has a waiting list of 1,000. APCH is growing at a rate of 5-10% each year and is about to engage in a second phase of a Capital Expansion campaign to expand our campus and our overall functioning capacity.

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Reporting directly to the Executive Director (ED), the Chief Development Officer (CDO) projects and provides dynamic leadership for all fundraising and communications initiatives and activities and oversees a staff of eight. The CDO will expand A Place Called Home’s fundraising capabilities and elevate A Place Called Home’s fundraising goals, creating the department's strategic plan with short- and long-range goals in all areas of development and communications and in alignment with the agency’s strategic plan and goals. The CDO will lead a multifaceted development operation responsible for: 

Major individual gifts: The CDO will be charged with personally developing, leading, and growing major individual gift activities, including working with the ED and Board and additional resources to plan a capital campaign. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and build relationships with donors and prospects with the capacity to give five, six, and seven figure leadership level gifts. Work in close partnership with the ED, members of the Board, and other development staff in coordinating their activities in this area and providing coaching and coordination. Design strategies to engage donors, develop tailored proposals and engagement opportunities. Build a robust pipeline of potential new donors through effective research and networking. Consistent face‐to‐face, telephone, and electronic communications with colleagues, organizational supporters and prospects; 

Planned giving: continue to develop APCH’s nascent efforts to coordinate planned giving, working through the board, existing donors, and partners in the financial services arena to ensure APCH can build a planned giving program;

Foundation, corporate, and government grants: continue and build APCH’s existing relationships and future network of foundation and corporate donors; build a sustainable government grants program that researches, identifies and applies to appropriate resources and grant programs; 

Events: utilize existing and new relationships to build sponsorships, corporate, and individual giving for APCH’s 3 annual events, which currently raise approximately $1.3-$1.5 million annually;

Direct Marketing and Communications: CDO will work with APCH’s communications manager to develop a direct marketing strategy and calendar, enhance our digital fundraising capabilities, direct public relations strategy, support events, and bring our potential donors closer to our staff and members. 

Special initiatives and external relationships: The CDO manages the Special Initiatives and External Relations Director who oversees volunteerism, community events, corporate relations & sponsorships, in‐kind donation management, and the APCH Leadership Council (junior board). (The Special Initiatives and External Relations Director reports to the Executive Director for community engagement and special initiatives);

APCH Board of Directors: the CDO works under the ED to provide energetic and visible leadership and motivation to the Board and other leadership volunteers. He/she leads the Board Resource Development Committee to support Board‐driven fund development, including events and donor relations. Work with the ED and Board to develop and implement plans to recruit and involve honorees and leadership-level volunteers;

As a member of the Executive Management Team, the CDO plays a vital APCH leadership role. A strategic thought partner and a skilled collaborator, this position offers valuable insights and input on broad strategic discussions and builds bridges with A Place Called Home’s departments, partners, and stakeholders. In addition, the CDO is tasked with monitoring and reporting on progress toward goals for all campaigns and major relationships. She/he will share regular updates on progress toward goals with the ED, senior management, the Board, and campaign leadership, which funnels into the creation of our annual budget.

Additionally, the Chief Development Officer:

• Maintains up‐to‐date development income reports and projections, as well as metrics and critical analysis of the organization’s fundraising efforts;
• Produces monthly development reports for the ED and Board;
• Ensures the timely execution of all grant applications and reports;
• Works closely with the Executive Director and event staff and consultants to design and execute fundraising event production, including setting goals, calendaring and planning, overseeing contractors and overseeing communications;
• Participates in strategic planning for the organization, specifically aligning development capacity and focus to support plans for short, mid and long-­‐term organizational development and impact;
• Establishes development policies, systems, and procedures to support productive partnerships with Operations, Programs, and other departments;
• Oversees a responsive and effective customer service and quality control program for donor relations, using staff to respond appropriately and swiftly to questions and needs regarding donor status, gifts, fulfillment, and other concerns;
• Works with Communications Manager to oversee communications (via the Annual Report, website, newsletter, e-blasts, social media, etc.) to stakeholders and the general public;
• Represents and promotes APCH at various conferences and community events.

REQUIREMENTS

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to and passion for APCH’s mission and purpose. He/she will be an experienced development professional with a track record of successfully leading development departments, initiatives and successful fundraising across categories.

• Minimum five years of exemplary senior leadership and management experience in development for a non-profit organization of similar size and scale or larger
• Extensive background in development planning and knowledge of current development strategies and opportunities
• Demonstrated success in major donor cultivation and solicitation; capital campaign experience would be a plus;
• Demonstrated success in fundraising event planning and management
• Demonstrated success in institutional fundraising, grants and relationship management; strong local relationships with foundations, corporations, and local government agencies, and experience working with large national funders a plus
• Demonstrated success in planning and executing individual and annual giving campaigns
• Demonstrated success in communications and marketing oversight and planning, including social media/digital campaigns
• Demonstrated success in working directly with Board of Directors and committees
• Experience in researching, prospecting and managing government grants
• Experience in supervising staff and managing talent
• Knowledge of financial management to allocate resources, prepare budgets, analyze financial data and forecast fundraising income
• Ability to work effectively under constant high-pressure deadlines; excellent organizational skills, time management efficiency, and careful attention to detail
• Experience with computer systems and word processing, spreadsheet, graphic software and web sites; Salesforce or similar database experience, Google Drive
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; exemplary ability to articulate ideas clearly and concisely, in writing and verbally
• Ability to speak with ease and confidence in front of small and large groups
• Demonstrated success in managing complex programs and strategic plans; strong organizational and time management skills

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

The successful candidate will be a high‐energy generalist with a commitment to excellence, a creative and sophisticated approach and demonstrated success in the required areas. Must have a track record of successfully raising funds, managing a team, and providing leadership to board, staff, and volunteers. Proven fundraising skills, especially in the area of individual donor relationships. A mature and experienced manager who can work effectively with team members at different stages of career development and with a strong, experienced senior management team. 

The CDO will help inform and support the daily and long-term vision and work of the ED and the Board of Directors via open communication and an ability to think big picture, assess conditions and outcomes, and make rational recommendations regarding fundraising and other key issues.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Exemplary written and verbal communications;
• Strong ethics and high standards of accountability;
• Diplomacy and tact;
• Outstanding leadership;
• Highly motivated self‐starter;
• Ability to enthuse and motivate others;
• A team player and collaborative personality;
• Attention to detail;
• Strategic vision;
• Willingness to work long hours and some weekends as needed.

EDUCATION:

Bachelors Degree. Masters Degree a plus.

HOW TO APPLY

TO APPLY:  Email resume and cover letter to: [email protected]