AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND Vacancy Announcement

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is seeking a Director of Development.  This individual will oversee the design and implementation of fundraising strategies in order to increase the organization’s support from diverse sources, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.  This is a fulltime position, and the Director will report to the ACB Executive Director.

Responsibilities:

The Director of Development will:

Plan, administer, implement, and evaluate ACB’s fundraising activities, in collaboration with the ACB president, executive director, and designated volunteers;

Maintain a proactive, creative, leadership role in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of individual, corporate, and foundation contributions;

Provide coordination and assistance with efforts by ACB volunteers and staff to cultivate and solicit key donors;

Oversee the creation of a corporate advisory board and insure its appropriate integration into ACB’s organizational structure;

Collaborate with officers, directors, staff and appropriate committee chairpersons to develop an annual fundraising plan for presentation to and approval by the Board of Directors;

Identify potential sources of grant monies, and prepare grant applications;

Provide technical assistance to volunteers seeking to design and implement sponsorship opportunities, and other fundraising events;

Direct ACB’s participation in the Combined Federal Campaign, and other workplace giving programs;

Collaborate with the President and Executive Director in the preparation of scripts for telemarketing campaigns, fundraising letters, and other correspondence related to solicitation of funds;

Oversee ACB’s direct mail solicitation efforts;

Assist accounting staff with the upgrade and maintenance of donor databases, as well as management of other records related to solicitation of funds;

Review and update (as necessary) all efforts to recognize and thank donors to ensure that recognition is both appropriate and timely;

Work with the Executive Director on preparation of ACB’s annual report;

Oversee the updating of information about ACB on charitable giving websites, as well as sites maintained by state attorneys general and the Better Business Bureau;

Serve as staff liaison to the ACB Resource Development Committee, the Monthly Monetary Support Committee, the Direct Mail Campaign Committee, and the Convention Coordinating Committee;

Participate in ACB board meetings, national conventions, and affiliate activities, as authorized by the Executive Director;

Provide technical assistance on fundraising matters to ACB’s state and special interest affiliates;

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

A minimum of three years of experience, either professional or voluntary, raising funds for a nonprofit organization;

Proven track record writing successful grant proposals;

Demonstrated experience managing an ongoing direct mail campaign;

Experience with development and maintenance of successful programs of Solicitation from corporate and foundation donors;

Ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with board members, volunteers, staff and donors;

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;

Familiarity with a wide range of grant maker databases, and other corporate, foundation, and government fundraising resources;

Ability to work evenings and weekends on a regular basis;

Willingness to travel;

A Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study.

Qualifications Desired:

Experience working with blindness or other disability organizations;

Knowledge of methods used to produce materials in alternate formats.

Applications for this position must be received by April 15, 2011, and must include a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample of five to ten pages in length.  Please direct all correspondence to Development Director Search, American Council of the Blind, 2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650, Arlington , VA 22201 , or email it to staffing@acb.org.

ACB is an equal opportunity employer.  Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.