Senior Development Officer

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

Founded in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) is a non-profit organization focused on eliminating disparities within the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public. Our primary focus areas are Education, Public Health, Economic Empowerment and the Environment. Applicants may visit the web site at www.cbcfinc.org, to view more information on CBCF programs and initiatives.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Development and serving as an integral member of the Resource Development team, the Senior Development Officer will perform the tasks and duties associated with fundraising, resource development, donor relations and strategic alliances.

He / she must be self-motivated, quick-thinking, flexible and able to juggle multiple and diverse responsibilities in an efficient manner and simultaneously. He/she must be confident, reliable, and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where each day can bring a new set of priorities and demands. The ideal candidate must be professional, use initiative and good judgment, maintain confidentiality, and work independently but also with the RD team.

The Senior Development Officer will maintain a portfolio of assigned corporate sponsors to cultivate and secure sponsorships and contributions. Additionally, will fulfill corporate sponsorship requirements including drafting and submitting corporate grants, agreements, and reporting. He/She will work closely with the Director of Resource Development to achieve fundraising goals, as determined by the organization’s strategic plan and operating needs. The Senior Development Officer will identify, cultivate and steward individual donors and prospects. He/she will maintain communication with CBCF’s current individual donor base.

The Senior Development Officer will have experience with fundraising and be knowledgeable of fundraising practices to increase financial gift support from corporations, individuals, public, private and foundation contributions. The Senior Development Officer will assist with preparing presentations and other fundraising materials for cultivation events, individual donor prospects, foundation and grant solicitations and stewardship.

The Senior Development Officer will be responsible for conducting extensive research of corporate foundations, corporate sponsors, and individual donors to collect data and identify viable funding opportunities via online web listings, database searches, clearinghouse and directories.

The Senior Development Officer will have an ability and demonstrated knowledge of the potential strategies to approach corporations, grants and foundations, with an understanding of current trends both externally in the business and non-profit sector. 

III. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

1. Reports to: Director of Development
2. Directly Supervises: none
3. Indirectly Supervises: none 
4. Type of Supervision Received: Direct supervision
5. Internal Relationships: Close coordination with Resource Development team, specifically with Director of Development and the Development Officer and CBCF staff to effect maximum exposure, donor support and stakeholder engagement.
6. External Relationships:  Existing and prospective CBCF Donors and Supporters, occasional contact with offices of Members of Congress, grant making foundation staff and administrative staff of key organizations with whom CBCF partners and other stakeholders as defined by CBCF priorities and as directed by the Director of Development. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Essential Functions

Resource Development 

1. Develop short and long-range goals/objectives to direct and enlist funding support from corporations and individuals. 
2. Develop and cultivate relationships with corporations, foundations and individuals to gain long-range support for core programs, operation needs and strategic priorities. 
3. Prepare periodic management reports, presentations and other relevant material for meetings/briefings, cultivation events, solicitations and stewardship.  
4. Conduct research of corporate sponsors, government programs and individual donors to collect and compile extensive data for funding opportunities.
5. Prepare and submit accurate and timely grant applications, formal proposals, and letters of inquiry to funding sources.  Assist with grant writing for the Foundation’s programs; and process on-line grant opportunities for the conference, tournament and other initiatives. 
6. Solicit funding for in-kind opportunities; and increase advertisements and marketing revenue for events and conferences

Administrative  

1. Provide support and assist with completion and execution of grant and fundraising proposal development including research of potential new funding opportunities, execution of grant application process; and ensure timely reporting to existing grant funders. 
2. Conduct extensive research of corporate sponsors and individual donors to collect data and identify funding. 
3. Assist Director of Development and Development Coordinator and finance team to ensure that pledges, gifts, grants and other revenues are properly recorded in the organization’s financial records, forecasts, and budgets and that grant budgets and grant reports align.
4. Work with other staff on special projects or efforts that contribute to the organization’s larger development goals.   

Operations and Special Event Support

1. Assist with database management to include creating and tracking spreadsheets, data collection and research, interdepartmental and external donor services requests such as answering gift inquiries and assisting with gift-related issues and preparation of reports and other documents as requested.
2. Assist with onsite event management and stakeholder services including registration, and advertising and signage verification.  
3. Collaborate with staff and consultants in connection with large scale events and projects.

B. Additional Functions

1. As needed, represent CBCF at related events and activities. 
2. Ability to effectively collaborate with staff and consultants in connection with large scale events and projects.
3. Ability to balance administrative responsibilities with capacity to deliver against organization goals and objectives.
4. Responsible for other duties and projects as assigned.

C. Required Special Skills:

1. A passion for CBCF’s mission with a commitment to market-based approaches for achieving strategic partnerships and engagement.
2. Well-honed management and leadership skills including initiative and independence, combined with the ability to work well in a team and manage and mentor other staff. 
3. An entrepreneurial approach to fundraising, finding and creating new opportunities. 
4. Effective communication of Resource Development deliverables to a variety of audiences and stakeholders across a variety of mediums (internal and external).
5. Superb oral and written communication and presentation skills in a range of formats. 

RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACCURACY/ACCOUNTABILITY

Incumbent must communicate with stakeholders on a national and local level to positively influence the effectiveness of CBCF in achieving its objectives.  The Senior Development Officer must follow and adhere to federal, state and local ethics and compliance laws, as well as CBCF business conduct policies.  Failure to comply can result in penalties for the organization and the incumbent. Incorrect financial errors may result in additional time required to correct errors, missed opportunities and/or cost overruns.

SPECIFICATIONS

Highly intelligent, innovative and resourceful, able to assimilate and integrate large amounts of information and find creative solutions. Maturity and excellent judgment are essential.

1. Knowledge: A Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years-experience in a fundraising operation which would including securing revenue from individuals, corporations or foundations required.  Must be articulate and confident in dealings with internal staff and external stakeholders. Knowledge of public policy, federal legislative process, and political environment is preferred.  Certification in fundraising management and knowledge of the non-profit industry is ideal, but not required. 
2. Skills and Abilities: Excellent written and oral communication skills; excellent time management, planning and organizational skills and attention to detail is optimal. Must be able to prioritize and meet conflicting deadlines while working independently and as part of a team. Public speaking and presentation delivery is required. Solid interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with others and complete assignments as directed. Position requires a high aptitude for databases, data management, and attention to detail. Creative problem solver and results oriented, Exceptional organizational skills and work independently or as part of a team.  Solid interpersonal skills using tact and patience and due diligence with the ability to build and maintain relationships with Resource Development team, members of CBCF management team and external stakeholders. Telephone techniques and excellent customer care are essential.
   
   In particular, strong candidates will possess the gravitas and strategic skills required to collaborate with high profile donors, the ability to achieve significant growth in a fast-paced, highly entrepreneurial environment, and genuine interest in helping to build support for eliminating disparities in the global black community. 
3. Computer and Technical Proficiencies: Highly proficient skills in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and overall aptitude for technology are required. Proficiency with telecommunications devices such as Blackberry, iPhone and/or Androids preferred. Experience with Raisers’ Edge NXT or donor tracking/fundraising software preferred. Familiarity with basic accounting principles and practices ideal. 
4. Physical Requirements: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strict deadlines, ability to work long hours, weekends and moderate travel.  Must work well under pressure and be able to manage simultaneous priorities.  The ability to handle a significant amount of stress is an essential function of this position. Work levels tend to fluctuate with mailings, fundraising events and or quarterly Board and Corporate Advisory Council Meetings. The Senior Development Officer may carry light items, such as: reports, exhibit materials, data products, and notebooks.