The Braille Institute is seeking a Director of Development, Institutional Giving at their Los Angeles, CA (90029) location.

Who is Braille Institute?

Braille Institute is a non-profit organization whose mission is to positively transform the lives of those with vision loss. We offer a broad range of free programs, classes and services serving thousands of students of all ages helping to demonstrate that vision rehabilitation is a beginning, not an end.

We serve the community from seven centers, and hundreds of community outreach locations throughout Southern California, and lead popular national programs like Braille Challenge and Cane Quest. Our staff and volunteers understand losing your vision can be scary, but we believe it is not the end of independence but a new way of living.

OVERVIEW:

Braille Institute’s Development team raises funds that work to empower people living with low vision or complete sight loss to live a fulfilling and independent life. The fundraising team is comprised of 14 members who work closely on corporate and foundation gifts, annual giving, mid-level giving, major gifts, planned gifts, capital projects, and campaigns. Founded in 1919, Braille Institute of America (BIA) is one of the oldest and most comprehensive providers of free services for people who are blind or visually impaired. BIA has an annual operating budget of approximately $25 million and is funded almost entirely through private donations.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Job Summary: Responsible for all aspects of institutional giving programs, including foundation, corporate, community group, and government fundraising efforts to support the organization's programs and services for the visually impaired. Develops and manages a significant portfolio of institutional donors and prospects and manages two Grants Managers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Management of Grants Managers to ensure that all deadlines are met with accurate and quality information.
• Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and maintains positive business relationships with institutional donors and sponsors. Manages a portfolio of high-level institutional donors/sponsors, including making pitches to potential new and existing sponsors, writing/submitting letters of inquiry, proposals, and stewardship reports, and fulfilling donor requirements.
• Leads development managers in developing and writing institutional case statements for the Department. Assures all writings reflect the core message of the organization's mission, vision and programs offered.
• Prepares budgets and monitors expenses.
• Produces reports for management on productivity and results of fundraising efforts.
• Maintains and updates all documentation, analyses, and statistics related to institutional giving.
• Develops, communicates, and implements annual and long-range marketing plans to expand institutional giving programs, including sponsorships, foundation, corporate, community, group, and government fundraising efforts.
• Accountable for general department management responsibilities, including hiring, training of staff, and performance appraisals.
• Establishes and communicates priorities of projects and assignments. Oversees staff development and corrective action issues, as needed.
• Maintains current knowledge of the organization's departments, programs, and services.
• Attends donor, volunteer, student, and community events. Recruits donors to be profiled in publications and work with Marketing to facilitate interviews and photo shoots.
• Also maintains current knowledge of diseases of the eye and blindness-related issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned - as the organization continues to evolve, duties or tasks may change without impacting the overall Job Description.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge and Education:

• A four-year college degree or the equivalent in additional work experience is required.
• Strong knowledge of marketing and fundraising techniques, including legal, technical, and financial requirements, is essential.
• Working knowledge of standard office computer software and prospect research is also required.

Experience:

• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in corporate or foundation relations, including demonstrated success in securing six figure or greater donations and/or sponsorships is strongly preferred.
• Three or more years of work experience in managing institutional giving programs and staff is desirable.