Posted on March 20, 2013

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Deputy Director, Major Gifts

Organization’s Mission and Goals

City Year was founded in 1988 on the belief that young people can change the world. The organization unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As tutors, mentors, and role models, these diverse young leaders make a difference in the lives of children, and transform schools and neighborhoods in 19 U.S. locations. City Year’s vision is that one day the most commonly asked question of a young person will be, “Where are you going to do your service year?”

City Year Los Angeles (CYLA) was founded in 2007 with an inaugural corps of 75 and has grown to 210 corps members by its fifth year.

City Year Service

City Year is focused on significantly reducing the high school dropout rate in each of our target cities. Through City Year’s Whole School Whole Child service model, City Year deploys diverse teams of full-time corps members in schools to help students stay on track – and get back on track – to graduate. Corps members serve in schools as tutors, mentors, role models and leaders of after-school programs. As near-peers, corps members are uniquely able to help improve student attendance, behavior and coursework – which research confirms are indicators of a student's likelihood of graduating from high school. This school-based service is at the heart of City Year’s approach to helping students and schools succeed.

Position Overview

The Deputy Director of Major Gifts manages and builds relationships with high net worth donors and prospects in an effort to maximize financial resources to help City Year Los Angeles achieve its goals and leads the City Year Los Angeles Development Team.

Responsibilities

Donor Management: Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of current and future leadership and major donors. Identify major donors' philanthropic interests and provide them with an opportunity to realize an outstanding philanthropic experience through their charitable investment of time, advocacy and financial support to City Year. The successful candidate will:

• visit 5 - 7 donors per week on average;
• develop successful cultivation and solicitation strategies to direct and monitor the progress of donor relationships;
• promote City Year's giving circles to recognize donors for the philanthropic generosity;
• and maintain accurate records and donor information.

Volunteer Management: Recruit, train, motivate and manage dedicated volunteers to help City Year Los Angeles strengthen donor relationships and raise the financial resources necessary to fund its expanding programs.

Events: Work with the development team to leverage existing and future City Year Los Angeles events, such as annual Spring Break event, friend raisers, and other select gatherings to fundraise and engage high net worth individuals.

Senior Staff and Volunteer Partnership: Leverage the Executive Director, other senior City Year staff (locally and nationally) and volunteer leadership (the Board) to deepen and solidify donor relationships and to demonstrate the importance that each current and future donor means to City Year's work in the community. Provide opportunities for Executive Director to close the sale on major gifts.

Community Representation: Represent City Year at corporate and community functions, to establish and deepen potential and current donor relationships.

Organization Initiatives: Advance the site's vision and goals, increase the quality of collaboration and alignment between departments and National Development team, critically examine the direction of the organization, implement widespread policy changes and participate in site-wide and network-wide events and initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Minimum 5 years major gift fund raising experience with proven track record. Comparable experience will be considered.
• Knowledge of high net worth community via local business, civic and cultural networks highly desired.
• Ability to manage short term and long term plans and goals.
• Strong verbal communication skills and public speaking ability.
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively.
• Highly detail oriented with excellent organizational abilities.
• Sales experience preferred.
• Strong relationship management skills, with an ability to lead and motivate volunteers.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing human services for children, youth and young adults.
• Exhibit strong desire to work with diverse group of individuals.
• Commitment to excellence and to the mission of City Year.

Application Instructions

Qualified applicants should forward cover letter, resume and references to:

Jeffrey Hitchcock, Deputy Director of HR & Operations, at cylajobs@cityyear.org

Subject: CYLA Deputy Director, Major Gifts

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