Development Director

Application Instructions

• Click Apply to submit your online application. Please attach a resume and thoughtful cover letter on the "My Experience" page in the "Resume/CV" field.
• Active City Year Staff members must login to Workday to apply internally.

Number of Positions: 1

Compensation: between $65,000 and $70,000 annually, commensurate with experience with the range

Position Overview

Since its founding, City Year has relied on its corporate, foundation and individual partners to create meaningful social change, leveraging both private and public investors. With a wide range of support from some of Buffalo’s philanthropic leaders, City Year Buffalo has a strong fundraising track record.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development leverages the fundraising leadership within City Year Headquarters, our local advisory board, and an alumni network to manage and implement the fundraising and local external relations strategy for City Year Buffalo. A specific emphasis is placed on managing and building relationships with philanthropic corporations and foundations, high-net-worth individuals, other local businesses, and media outlets in an effort to maximize financial resources and brand awareness opportunities, helping City Year Buffalo achieve its revenue and marketing objectives. The Development Director will be responsible for ensuring the site meets its annual budget of $2 million, including sourcing from private sources.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategy Development & Leadership

• Develop City Year Buffalo’s short and long term fundraising strategy, alongside Executive Director and members of the HQ-level Development Team.
• Work closely with the Executive Director to develop a plan to implement the strategy of donor cultivation & engagement across sectors: private, government and education (state policy and local government).
• Add development capacities to execute against City Year’s long-term Site Advancement Plan

External Relations

• In collaboration with national marketing efforts oversee the implementation of localized marketing strategies and tactics to increase City Year Buffalo’s overall brand awareness and ability to recruit 18 to-25-year-olds to serve as City Year AmeriCorps members
• In collaboration with Senior Leadership Team, engage with external partners to create professional development opportunities for Americorps members
• Serve as representative of City Year within the Buffalo community, attending events on a frequent basis
• Serve as staff point for media relations, helping to acquire publicity for City Year Buffalo

Corporate and Foundation Strategy

• Oversee the implementation of City Year Buffalo’s corporate sponsorship program, as well as the grant proposal and reporting process for corporate, foundation, and government donors.
• Strategizes with the Executive Director and Development team to identify and cultivate new corporate and foundation partnerships

Individual Major Gift Strategy

• Refine City Year’s high-net-worth individual giving circle with innovative strategies to increase individual major gifts of $10,000+ and promote overall donor participation
• In collaboration with Executive Director and site board identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of current and future major donors.

Fundraising Events

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team and the Executive Director in managing special events to raise awareness of City Year; fundraise and engage individuals, foundations, and corporations as champions and donors. Events include but are not limited to: Specialty Market Events, Opening Day, Graduation, and Private Receptions.
• Assist in the development of a signature fundraising event for City Year Buffalo

Donor Management

• Develop successful identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies to direct and monitor the progress of donor relationships.
• Oversee the alignment of City Year’s mission/values with actions and community impact of donor.
• Ensure diversity and sustainability of site donor base.
• Identify major donors' philanthropic interests and provide them with opportunities to deepen their connection to City Year’s values/mission.

Advisory Board Management and Engagement

• Maintains engagement both financially and otherwise to ensure Board retention, satisfaction, and 100% Advisory Board giving.
• Oversee the implementation of and manage the Board Development Committee, attend board meetings and provide regular updates on private revenue fundraising progress

Organizational Leadership

• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, help shape organizational strategy and serve in leadership role in developing and implementing City Year Buffalo’s local operating plan and Site Advancement Plan
• Through the representation and modeling of City Year values, help to promote a culture of diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity.
• Work collaboratively with other site departments and City Year Headquarters on a frequent basis.
• Manage the Development Department budget, detailing department revenue and expenses.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of records and donor information in the salesforce database.

Required Experience

• 5-8 years of progressive fundraising/development experience with proven fundraising track record that includes multi-year giving. Comparable experience will be considered.
• Proven relationship manager who recognizes the importance of outreach and partnerships for advancing organizational mission
• Self-starter with strong initiative, while maintaining a willingness to work in a collaborative and team-based organization.
• Knowledge of the Buffalo donor community preferred.
• Grant writing experience preferred.
• Solid, persuasive writing & communication skills.
• Passion for education, racial justice, and youth development
• Ability to work with diverse groups of young adults in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial team environment.
• City Year/AmeriCorps/teaching experience is a plus.

Benefits

Full time employees will be eligible for all benefits including vacation and sick days and organization holidays. You may participate in all benefit programs that City Year establishes and makes available to eligible employees, under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents that govern those programs. Currently, City Year offers medical, dental and vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment and disability coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), other benefits including 401(k) plan(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of company policy and the 401(k) plan document. For more information, click here.

• Employment at City Year is at-will.
• City Year does not sponsor work authorization visas.