Posted on September 22, 2012

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Director of Development

Wildlife Prairie State Park (WPSP), a 501(c)(3) organization located near Peoria, IL, seeks a Director of Development to play a lead role in raising the funds required to support and expand the park. This is a full-time position reporting to the Executive Director. The Director of Development ensures the organization achieves its annual fundraising goals by establishing a fundraising strategy, maintaining current and building new relationships with the funding community, and creating a strong support base for WPSP. This person leads the organization’s fundraising initiatives to generate individual, foundation, and corporate support and ensures consistent annual giving.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop a five-year fundraising strategy and implement an innovative plan to substantially grow annual revenue from individuals, corporations and foundations
• Develop fundraising portfolios
• Create/oversee an annual calendar that integrates marketing communications for fundraising, foundation proposals, awareness campaigns, newsletters and events
• Research and prepare grant proposals with ability to submit for grants within short time frames, typically 3 business days
• Assure accurate record keeping and oversee the donor appreciation process
• Create and manage a donor database to track donor participation (both financial and in-kind giving), identification, and cultivation of prospects
• Develop fundraising correspondence materials
• Report progress to goals on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis
• Work with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and other program areas within the park organization to advance fundraising goals
• Support and coordinate fundraising volunteers
• Educate, coach and develop staff to enhance the WPSP brand to further the fundraising strategy
• Ensure compliance with all governmental and foundational reporting

Management Responsibilities:

• Manage new prospecting, including research, analysis of fit, and proposal/grant writing
• Oversee and monitor all events management
• Oversee and monitor the membership coordinator
• Recruit, oversee and engage development volunteers to achieve fundraising goals

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation preferred
• Five years experience working on a fundraising team, supporting overall fundraising goals of the department
• Must live in or be willing to relocate to the Peoria area
• Outstanding planning and organizational skills
• High energy, self-managing, and entrepreneurial spirit
• Ability to identify parks and recreation trends and adapt the funding strategy to changing conditions
• Extraordinary communications, interpersonal skills and business etiquette with individual donors, business executives, government officials, media, board members, foundations and the general public
• Proficiency in typical computer application including MS Office

Opportunity:

Here is a chance to truly make a difference with a non-profit organization. A fertile field exists for new funding sources and the successful candidate will exhibit creativity in achieving annual fundraising goals and building relationships. The position requires frequent interaction with volunteers and donors outside normal business hours. Success will be measured by:

• Revenue goals exceeded annually
• Increased revenue from high net-worth individuals
• Increased successful grant submissions
• Innovative methods used to exceed goals
• Identification, initiation and invitation to apply from new funding sources
• All necessary reports completed and submitted on time
• Accuracy of documentation regarding the state of development for the organization
• Documented development strategy and work plans
• Accuracy and reliability of donor records and reporting

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter (required) and resume to Jason Boerger at jboerger@wildlifeprairiestatepark.org by October 15, 2012. Learn more about our organization by visiting our website or our facebook page at www.facebook.com/wildlifeprairiestatepark