Job Description
Position: Development Specialist, Part-time
Reports to Executive Director
About Mary’s Choice RVA:
Mary’s Choice RVA is a voluntary, residential, pro-life ministry program that addresses the needs of pregnant and parenting women in crisis by transforming their lives through the healing touch of Christ. The mission and ministry of the program present unique opportunities to women to enable them to make significant decisions and changes that will enable them to live an independent life. The program is designed to assist in addressing the challenges of life by learning and living together as a family in a Christian atmosphere.
Summary of Responsibilities:
The Development Specialist is a position reporting directly to the Executive Director. The Development Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing engagement, fundraising and retention strategies to enhance and grow revenue with current and prospective donors. The Development Specialist is responsible for the creation and management of a well-coordinated individual giving program designed to cultivate and solicit support from individuals and family foundations. The Development Specialist works to strengthen existing relationships and establish new relationships through face-to-face meetings, phone conversations, and electronic communications, as well as in appropriate community events, activities, and networking groups. The Development Specialist will employ best practices for effective donor database management and reporting. The Development Specialist will work with staff members to identify volunteer opportunities with the understanding that volunteers can become future donors. This position requires the ability to work with a high degree of flexibility, independence, and juggle various projects at once, while maintaining a clear view of how each activity supports the organization’s mission. The Development Specialist position is a part-time position requiring a minimum of 20 hours per week which may include working evenings and weekends.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Embrace and uphold the mission and values of Mary’s Choice RVA home.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, and steward relationships with existing and prospective individual donors.
• Exemplify professionalism in all interactions as a representative of Mary’s Choice RVA.
• Design, document, and implement a systematic and integrated donor relations program in cooperation with the Executive Director.
• Work with the Executive Director to create solicitation and year-round engagement strategies to retain current and attract new donors.
• Develop processes to monitor the effectiveness of our donor communication efforts across all channels (letters, grants, online presence, etc.) in cooperation with the Executive Director.
• Attend meetings activities, and community events to increase the visibility of Mary’s Choice RVA and our brand with the purpose of building relationships with prospective donors and volunteers.
• Understand what drives donor engagement to retain and advance the donor’s lifetime value of average gift and annual giving amounts.
• Assist with information and final reports for grants in cooperation with the Executive Director.
• Work with internal staff and external vendors to develop content for social media, blogs, website, and newsletter. Publish content within appropriate media in cooperation with the Executive Director.
• Facilitate meetings between donors and Executive Director.
• Establish and manage donation and grant information tracking processes from receipt, acknowledgement, recognition, and follow-up for effectiveness in enhancing the relationship with Mary’s Choice RVA and increasing the likelihood of continued contributions, in cooperation with the Executive Director.
• Develop an understanding of donors’ employer donation match, corporate social responsibility, and/or workplace giving objectives, and identify opportunities for the donor to engage with Mary’s Choice RVA through these programs.
• Identify areas requiring improved service or attention to enhance donor satisfaction.
• Manage Event Planning on fundraising events throughout the year, including our annual Gala event, and other events. Duties will include preparation, volunteer recruitment, themes, in-kind donation solicitation, set-up/tear-down and other duties as required, in cooperation with the Executive Director.
• Monitor the impact and return on investment in all strategies. in cooperation with the Executive Director.
• Maintain inventory of stationary, brochures, and other development and event supplies.
• Maintain online profiles with non-profit resources such as Charity Navigator, GuideStar, Great Non-Profits, AFP, CNPE, etc.
• Answer all general development phone and web/email inquiries, and provide general clerical support (data entry, answering phones, door, etc.) as needed.
• Other duties as needed or assigned.
Qualifications:
• Ability to convey a high degree of commitment and passion for the mission and values of Mary’s Choice RVA and the organization’s Mission Statement.
• Understanding and belief in the sacredness of human life and the personhood of unborn children.
• Experience in Communications, Marketing, Non-profit Management, Business Administration or related area.
• Minimum of 2 years of fundraising, development, donor or customer relationship management, sales, public relations, or related experience.
• Ability to work with and lead others. Strong team player, positive attitude, enthusiastic and outgoing personality.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills that are effective with a diverse range of audiences including donors, volunteers, executives, corporate entities, resource partners, board members, internal staff, residents, government agencies and representatives, stakeholders, and all constituencies.
• Strong presentation and follow-up skills, and ability to make the “ask.”
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft platforms (Word, Excel, etc.) and/or ability to become proficient in relevant programs, including our donor database management system.
• Must maintain a high level of confidentiality and ethics.
• Strong project and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and as part of a team; detail-oriented, well-organized, focused, and goal-oriented, with a high level of initiative.
• Sound judgement, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to devise strategies and recommendations from appropriate data.
• Must be willing to work evenings, weekends and flexible hours.
• Position requires sitting for extended periods while on the computer and telephone, bending, stooping, lifting approximately 30 lbs., inside and outside of office public contact.
• Be flexible and open to changes.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation.