POSITION: Development Officer
STATUS: Full-time Exempt
REPORTS TO: Development Director
APPLICATION DEADLINE: specific date -TBD
JOB PURPOSE:
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, headquartered in downtown San Francisco, is looking for a full time Development Officer to staff a new position within our organization supporting the LightHouse Little Learners Early Childhood Program and, occasionally, the entire organization.
Under the Development Director’s supervision, the Development Officer is responsible for managing a portfolio of major and mid-level donors, corporate/foundation funders, community service groups and public funding sources (e.g., school districts, governmental sources, etc.) in partnership with the LightHouse Little Learners Program Director, Program staff and the Development Director.
The Development Officer will particularly focus on creating a pipeline of funding for this new Department from participating families, community members and institutional sources. Major donor cultivation, events and proposal writing will be key tasks of this effort.
In addition to the primary focus of fundraising for Little Learners, the Development Officer will assist with fundraising initiatives, events and projects supporting all LightHouse programs and work in collaboration with all members of the Development Department.
Diversity and Inclusion: LightHouse intentionally and actively works to minimize barriers to employment faced by many marginalized groups. As a result, we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and abilities, including but not limited to applicants who possess various disabilities, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, gender identities, and ages.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education or equivalent:
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree or higher a plus. Experience commensurate with such educational attainment may substitute.
Experience: (Preferred)
- Significant experience in raising funds for early childhood programs
- Experience in disability/blindness/human services
- At least five years of experience in major gifts fundraising with an emphasis on, and successful track record of securing major gifts from individual donors including cultivating prospects and creating a pipeline of donor Development
- At least five years of experience writing corporate and foundation grant proposals, sponsorship requests and grant reports
- Experience with special events fundraising, demonstrating success with volunteer management, securing event sponsorships and in-kind donations
- Knowledge of basic computer and technology skills with the following preferred. Strong facility in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, Raisers Edge, Salesforce CRM, ADP, Zoom teleconference
- Strong knowledge of the Bay Area’s philanthropic community
Required Skills:
- Proven ability and track record of increasing donor/funder Development and retention
- Possess exceptional relationship building and influencing skills, which will all contribute to being a collaborative LightHouse team member
- Excellent writing skills
- Confidence in engaging donors, funders and prospects regarding charitable contributions and grants
- Talented presenter, coupled with the ability to interact with diplomacy and tact
- Experience working with event committees of high-level volunteers, donors, and student’s families
- Ability to independently drive projects
- Strong planning, organizational and project/time management
- Respect for confidentiality of donor/constituent information and a deep understanding of donor ethics
Other:
- Familiarity with the challenges and methods used to encourage optimal development of blind infants, toddlers and youth or ability to learn quickly.
- Ability to convincingly communicate the advantages and rationale for early blindness education. Skills to describe the advantages of the methodology LLL uses for optimum success of families and their blind children.
- Positive attitude and strong work ethic
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Transportation:
- The ability to travel to various locations throughout the SF bay area and Northern California is essential to the duties of this position
- Valid California Driver’s License or valid California REAL ID
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: (will differ in periods of remote learning):
- Ability to lift to 30 pounds
- Commitment to following COVID-19 protocols, including use of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), social distancing and hand-washing techniques, during in-person services
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Development Officer will be responsible for the following:
- Responsible for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities for a portfolio of individual as well as institutionax1l funders and prospects
- Serves as the relationship manager for a portfolio of key donors/funders and prospects who have the capacity to make major gifts and grants
- Draft and write letters of inquiry, grant proposals and reports
- Raise philanthropic revenue from employee groups, civic organizations, and service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, etc.)
- Responsible to engage in the prospecting of new prospect relationships
- Generate new revenue, with an emphasis on 5, 6 and 7 figure gifts and grants across all revenue sources
- Collaborate with appropriate Lighthouse staff to create volunteer opportunities, site visits and special events related to the Little Learners Program.
- Identify and cultivate corporations for securing sponsorships and in-kind support
- Plan, organize, and direct fundraising campaigns in support of LightHouse Little Learners Program, and other LH programs/services as directed.
- Use Raisers Edge NXT to track moves management, actions and report on funds raised.
- Other duties as assigned
Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- This is a full-time, exempt position working Monday through Friday. Salary is commensurate with experience.
- Occasional work on weekends and evenings, as needed. (Advance notice will be provided.)
- Work at events held in indoor and outdoor environments including occasional overnight stays at Enchanted Hills Camp in Napa
- With the approval of their supervisor, attends and participates in professional development opportunities related to job responsibilities
- Attends all LightHouse all-staff events and, with the permission of their supervisor, optional LightHouse blindness learning events
- Willingness to be fingerprinted and complete a background check, including a Livescan and TB Test
LightHouse is an equal opportunity employer: The Lighthouse’s Equal Opportunity statement can be found here: https://lighthouse-sf.org/about/careers/
Compensation: Depending on Experience; “industry competitive”
HOW TO APPLY:
Please include a cover letter and résumé as Word attachments (no PDFs please), to hr@lighthouse-sf.org, including the job title in the subject line. We will not consider videos or hyperlinks to online profiles. Due to time constraints, we will only respond to complete submissions in which there is serious interest, thanks for your understanding.