Chief Development Officer

THE OPPORTUNITY

St. Coletta of Greater Washington (SCGW) seeks an experienced, dynamic, and aspirational Chief Development Officer (CDO) to join our committed and growing organization. This is a pivotal time of growth and significance for SCGW, and the CDO will play a crucial role in managing all facets of our development and external affairs activities.

The CDO will ignite and sustain a sophisticated and inclusive culture of philanthropy among the Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers of SCGW.

Serving in a vital leadership role within SCGW, the CDO develops and grows the individual donor program; implement systems for tracking and acknowledging donors, and creates innovative and attractive donor acknowledgement and recognition opportunities. Reporting to Michael Rodrigues, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the CDO will set organizational fundraising goals and objectives that build upon the strengths of the current development program to meet and exceed SCGW needs, now and into the future.

The CDO will oversee a staff of three across all areas of fundraising and engagement, including individual giving; institutional giving; donor engagement and stewardship; marketing and communications; development operations; and board relations. By aspiring to new levels of excellence and possibility, the CDO will strategically grow and enhance the development function into a philanthropic enterprise of unsurpassed effectiveness through the implementation of creative fundraising tactics; as well as the ability to guide and support senior leaders in their fundraising efforts

OUR MISSION

The mission of St. Coletta of Greater Washington is to empower children and adults with intellectual disabilities to discover their full potential. We see potential where others see limitations, family when others see clients. We believe that everyone has the ability and the right to dream, develop and achieve, at all stages of their lives. We work collaboratively to help each individual to develop the skills and confidence to pursue their goals.

St. Coletta was founded in 1959 by the parents of a child with Down Syndrome, beginning in the basement of St. Charles Borromeo School in Arlington with five students. Over the intervening years it moved to several different locations in Arlington and in 1996, school leaders made the decision to purchase a permanent facility in Alexandria that would allow for growth. The larger facility allowed the school to begin an adult day program as well as to expand the student population. In September 2006 they moved the school program to the DC campus and in 2008 an adult program was started in Rockville.

St. Coletta Special Education Public Charter School

With more than fifty years of experience, St. Coletta has confirmed that the real focus of education needs to be on the individual learner and the skills he/she needs to be successful in life. Believing that individuals learn best by doing, the school plans hands-on, theme-based activities for its 250 students that allow for experimentation and trial and error. Instruction occurs as often as possible in the natural setting, thus adults and students spend a lot of time immersing themselves in their local community. The program is an extension of the school’s philosophy that stresses the importance of building on and celebrating individual strengths. Upon graduation, students earn a high school certificate in lieu of a high school diploma. St. Coletta places value in the following areas: functional academics, adaptive physical education, computer skills, arts education, skills of daily living, community-based instructions, and vocational training to ensure that once students fully enter their community, they have the skills necessary to be successful.

ADULT PROGRAMS

The Adult Program offers adults age 18 and older opportunities to participate in vocational and employment readiness training, supported employment, life skills training, and community integration in order to achieve greater independence. The program is constantly evolving to meet the needs of each participant and to find outlets for his/her many talents. The approach is person-centered so each participant can achieve personal fulfilment. St. Coletta combines work opportunities, enrichment activities, and life skills training in ways that suit the participant. The main focus, as in all St. Coletta programs, is community integration. Favoring real world, handson activities that allow individuals to be part of the wider world and participate in all aspects of community life, St. Coletta offers opportunities for employment for those capable of working with support.

THE CANDIDATE

The ideal CDO of St. Coletta will be an inspirational leader with a demonstrated commitment to and enjoyment in working with children and adults with intellectual disabilities, embodying St. Coletta’s mission to discover potential in all. The CDO will have a proven track record of fundraising success; and the enthusiasm, drive, and professionalism to achieve organizational goals. As a leader and manager, the CDO will promote a culture of excellence, diversity, collaboration, and professional growth and set clear direction, priorities, and measurable goals for the development team. The CDO will also provide the highest level of support to SCGW Charter Board and Chair of the Development Committee. With superior written and oral communication skills, the CDO will demonstrate the ability to champion the impact, strategic priorities, and vision of SCGW. To this end, the CDO must also demonstrate an ability to fully immerse themselves in the life of the organization to serve as a spokesperson for fundraising and development.

BACKGROUND

• At least 5 years of experience in a successful senior development position leading the fundraising and external affairs efforts of a non-profit institute, charity or educational organization.
• Bachelor’s Degree in English, Communication, Public Administration or related field.
  
  
  

Key Responsibilities And Duties

• Develop a strategic and systemic development program to broaden fundraising, outreach, and engagement activities and increase philanthropic revenue.
• Guide and support the CEO and Board of Directors in cultivating prospective donors and soliciting transformational gifts.
• Identify compelling funding priorities and match them with existing and potential donors
• Develop a public relations program to promote community understanding and support for the organization's objectives.
• Assess SCGW for future fundraising potential and develop a sophisticated multi-year fundraising and engagement strategy that will result in sustainable long-term growth in contributions.
• Direct corporate and foundation fundraising efforts, including grant research and writing, oversight of the annual grants calendar, and reviewing organizational documents for foundation submission. Track proposals and reports and ensure timely reporting and compliance.
• Serve as an active member of the senior team. Build collaborative professional relationships with peers and program staff. In coordination with the CEO, advance philanthropic conversations at the board level and solicit board participation in executing development plans.
• Develop communication and marketing strategies to increase community awareness.
• Create, coodinate and supervise annual fundraising events.
• Develop and update website content.
  
  
  

Skills And Accomplishments

• Successful track record of providing leadership and direction toward the achievement of improving fundraising year to year.
• Record of cultivating and nurturing relationships with current and potential corporate and foundation sponsors and individual donors.
• A genuine and proven commitment to diversity, race equity, belonging, and inclusion.
• Ability to provide leadership and direction toward the achievement of the organization’s philosophy, mission, strategy, and its annual goals and objectives.
• Ability to engage with key stakeholders from the political, legislative, educational, and corporate domains.
• Proven success in identifying new revenue sources, to include relationship building, stewardship, and successful gift closure.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills and ability to marshal them to form and maintain strategic external partnerships; strong communication and listening skills.
• Evidence of initiative, analysis, problem solving, creativity, and follow-through.
• Knowledge of all components of a diversified funding base.
• Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and appropriate software applications including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to create and implement an annual development plan and strategy.
• Ability to successfully handle multiple projects concurrently and to work as a member of the team.
  
  
  

TO APPLY

Interested applicants should forward their resume and cover letter to:

Kendra Hardy Jobs@stcoletta.org

St. Coletta of Greater Washington

1901 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003

Fax: (202) 350-8657

St. Coletta of Greater Washington, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)