Position: Development Director
Organization: Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF)
Location: Remote in Charlotte metro area
Reports To: President
Organization Overview
Mission & Vision
The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) is a 501(c)3 childhood cancer foundation dedicated to raising funds for research for neuroblastoma, other rare pediatric cancers, and charities that directly impact the lives of children with cancer. ISF was founded in honor of Isabella Santos from Charlotte, NC who lost her battle against neuroblastoma. ISF works to improve rare pediatric treatment options in an effort to improve the survival rate of kids with cancer.
History
In 2009, ISF was established through Isabella’s parents to raise awareness and research funds for neuroblastoma and received its tax-deductible 503(c)3 status in 2010. What began as an effort of a circle of friends has emerged into one of Charlotte’s fastest-growing nonprofit organizations. The goal of the foundation is to raise money and awareness for rare solid tumor cancer research in an effort to increase survival rates of kids with cancer so they can live their dreams. Through Isabella’s legacy, ISF works to help impact other kids fighting cancer in her name. To date, ISF has donated over $3.5 million to support its mission.
For more information about Isabella Santos Foundation, please visit isabellasantosfoundation.org.
Opportunity
Through the Isabella Santos Foundation, people across the country are raising money for solid-tumor cancer research and treatments. The foundation currently focuses on events, direct donations, sponsorships and peer-to-peer as the core fundraising strategies.
The Isabella Santos Foundation recently launched the Rare & Solid Tumor Program at Levine Children’s Hospital, ensuring children and families will have access to the latest cancer expertise in Charlotte and the surrounding region. The Isabella Santos Foundation made a commitment in 2018 to raise $5 million to create the Rare & Solid Tumor Program at Levine Children’s Hospital.
To achieve these goals, ISF is seeking a Development Director to source new donors and manage the organization’s fundraising strategy. The full-time Development Director is responsible for leading resource development activities toward generating $300,000 – $400,000 annually.
The Role
Reporting to the President, the Development Director will be responsible for implementing and managing a development program through a variety of revenue streams with a focus on the cultivation and expansion of new donors and stewardship of existing relationships.
The Development Director will be responsible for crafting a development plan and budget that supports the strategic plan of the staff and board leadership on an annual basis. The Director will be responsible for the design and execution of a comprehensive written annual fundraising plan and goal revenue projection to include individual donors and peer-to-peer strategies. Key responsibilities include:
Development Planning
- In partnership with the President, craft annual development plan outlining the full-year of giving strategies to sustain and increase support from corporations, events, foundations and individuals
- Create multi-year strategies for implementing a moves management model of resource development, prospecting, recruiting, engaging, soliciting and stewarding donors and sponsors
Culture Development
- Establish a first-class stewardship program that effectively engages all constituents (staff, board, volunteers, donors) in supporting the ISF mission and in creating a culture of philanthropy
- Activity participate in professional fundraising associations and industry groups to stay current of all new practices and innovations in the development field, employing appropriate best practices at ISF
- Follow current fundraising trends in philanthropy and the nonprofit community
Individual Fundraising
- Prioritize focus on acquisition strategies to uncover new sources of individual donors, building relationships to onboard them as constituents to the organization
- Develop new peer-to-peer giving strategies to grow the base of funders and onboard constituents to the organization’s compelling mission
- Oversee the organization’s efforts to deepen relationships, facilitating activities that increase affinity and engagement, increasing involvement and financial support
- Maintain ongoing communication with major gift donors, stewarding their engagement with organizational leaders
Development Operations
- Maintain timely records of all donor, sponsor and prospect contacts in donor database
- In collaboration with the marketing team, develop content for a variety of channels related to fundraising
- Assure accurate and timely member, donor, sponsor recognition, acknowledgements, and renewal letters for all financial and in-kind donations
- Research effective ways to integrate social media strategies into giving campaigns
Required Qualifications & Competencies
The ideal candidate would have the following capabilities and qualities:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in resource development or related field (i.e. marketing, external relations, business development/sales, community relations)
- Demonstrated expertise in the areas of fundraising, especially cultivating and stewarding donors, peer-to-peer giving strategies and corporate sponsorship
- A commitment to the ISF mission and ability to speak publicly about the mission with passion
- Strong ability to make connections easily and create authentic relationships with a wide variety of individuals and groups
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- A self-starter, capable of working in a decentralized work environment
- Solid analytical skills and basic understanding of financial levers
- Proficiency with Google Suite, Microsoft Office and CRM software
- Bachelor’s Degree required, with a preference for candidates with continuing education in advancement, fundraising and philanthropy; CFRE designation is a plus
- Ability to work extended hours, including nights and weekends, as needed
To Apply
Isabella Santos Foundation has partnered with Next Stage to help in this hire. All inquiries, nominations and applications should be directed via email to Next Stage (search@nextstage-consulting.com). Applications must include a compelling cover letter and CV to be considered for the role. Please also indicate where you learned of the opportunity.
Please note that only those candidates invited for screening will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
Isabella Santos Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in its works and staff. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state of federal law. ISF encourages candidates of all groups and communities to apply for this position.
About Next Stage
Next Stage is a strategy and implementation firm based in Charlotte, NC and serving nonprofit organizations and social cause start-ups throughout the Carolinas. Next Stage works with nonprofit organizations to develop game-changing strategies and strengthened operations in service to mission and long-range vision. We partner with clients through three key service lines: strategic planning, resource development planning, and talent development. For more information about Next Stage, please visit nextstage-consulting.com.