Bonsai Leadership Group is excited to support ProGeorgia in its search to find its first Chief Development Officer.
ABOUT PROGEORGIA
ProGeorgia is a bold, trusted, and diverse collaborative that champions an equitable and inclusive democracy for and with traditionally underrepresented communities. ProGeorgia supports and coordinates the civic engagement programs of diverse partner organizations across Georgia. In addition, ProGeorgia develops the infrastructure, executes joint strategies, and employs new tools and technology to ensure a government that is more responsive to the needs of our constituencies.
ProGeorgia believes that every citizen should be able to vote without undue obstacles, roadblocks, restrictions, confusion, or intimidation.
- Our democracy is stronger when all people participate.
- Our government has a responsibility to work for all of its citizens.
- As progressive community members, we are stronger when we work together.
To learn more about ProGeorgia, visit https://progeorgia.org.
THE OPPORTUNITY
ProGeorgia is seeking an accountable, passionate, goal-oriented visionary to serve in a critical new role as Chief Development Officer. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief Development Officer will work closely with the Executive Director to set the strategy for ongoing revenue growth. As a key member of the executive team, the Chief Development Officer will be expected to build a comprehensive development program to grow $20M+ in philanthropic revenue from a cultivated diverse pool of funders including institutional funders, corporations, high net-worth individuals, major and individual donors.
The Chief Development Officer will carry a portfolio of major donors, and staff the CEO and other senior leaders as appropriate to further philanthropic relationships. Over time, the Chief Development Officer will build and lead a small team of professional staff and consultants ensuring development-related work plans and goals are aligned with the mission, values, and strategic direction of the organization and, ultimately, fulfilled.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The ideal candidate in this role will have the ability to balance being both a strategic and hands-on development leader while partnering with a visionary and vibrant Executive Director to drive transformative growth. The Chief Development Officer will bring a record of developing successful relationships, particularly with philanthropic/institutional funders and individual donors that generate revenue for mission-based organizations or initiatives. They will be a highly organized, analytical, strategic, and flexible partner to the Executive Director and team ensuring timelines are developed and met and committing to respectful, productive engagement with a diverse set of stakeholders. Additionally, the Chief Development Officer will be a committed, flexible, influential, innovative leader with an understanding of and respect for grassroots organizing and participatory democracy who can inspire others, find common points of interest, and motivate partnership and investment in ProGeorgia’s mission and initiatives.
The ideal candidate will have a visionary and entrepreneurial approach to their work, a deep passion for the mission and vision of ProGeorgia, strong leadership skills, and superior fundraising abilities to build major and leadership gifts from new and existing high-net-worth donors and prospects. To be successful, the Chief Development Officer must be a confident, collaborative, hands-on, and results-oriented leader who can articulate clear and compelling cases for support that ensures the growth and vitality of ProGeorgia.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chief Development Officer will be responsible for the following key responsibilities:
Fundraising
- Serve as both high-level philanthropy strategist and hands-on leader for the development team, with the ability to leverage the CEO, executive team, and Board to further critical donor relationships.
- Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to achieve $20M+ in annual fundraising revenue to support the organization’s mission and vision.
- Assess existing development activities, identify areas with potential for short-and long-term growth, and build plans and strategies to pursue both.
- Build a pipeline for major gifts from new and existing high-net-worth donors and prospects.
- Maintain a portfolio of prospects/donors and identify, cultivate, and successfully solicit prospects and renewing donors with a focus on six-and seven-figure prospects.
- Work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors and other senior leaders to develop fundraising goals and plans.
- Develop and maintain a donor database and use data analysis to inform fundraising strategies and decision-making.
- Monitor and report on fundraising progress, evaluate results and adjust strategies as necessary.
- Support the Executive Director in work with foundations including providing context, coaching, data, and insight as well as determining how and when to strategically leverage the Executive Director in foundation relations.
- Manage and oversee appropriate systems for timely execution of donor acknowledgments and fulfillment of donor benefits.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards related to fundraising and development activities.
- Stay up to date on best practices and trends in nonprofit fundraising and development and implement new ideas and strategies as appropriate.
Team Leadership
- Lead, manage, develop, and mentor the development team in a manner that ensures the successful execution of development initiatives.
- Set clear objectives, goals and metrics for the development team to guide sustainable growth in philanthropic funding.
- Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
- Creates and promotes a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment.
- Establish and manage annual budgets and goals for the Development team.
- Prepare staffing plans and collaborate with the HR Manager to expand the team.
Fiscal Management
- Work closely with the Executive Director and finance team to keep the organization’s budget current at all times and develop long-term financial strategy plans to support strategic activities.
- Collaborate with the finance team to implement and manage a system for managing proposals to prospective funders.
- Develop and implement appropriate fundraising systems, policies and procedures to manage philanthropic revenue.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate for Chief Development Officer will possess many of the experiences and qualifications described below but need not possess them all to be considered:
- A passionate commitment to working for a progressive organization committed to the goals of ProGeorgia, including civic engagement and economic, social, and racial justice.
- 7 + years of senior leadership experience leading and managing philanthropic efforts preferably within nonprofit, philanthropic, or civic settings focused on civic engagement, community organizing, campaigns, and/or similar.
- Proven experience building and growing a comprehensive fundraising program with a particular focus on major, annual, corporate, and foundation giving and achieving fundraising goals in excess of $15M annually.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects from conception to completion with great attention to detail while minimizing complications, maximizing effectiveness, and keeping the team informed and engaged.
- Proficiency using data to establish a robust donor pipeline and strategy for sustainable growth.
- Superior oral and written communication skills and strategic listening skills are necessary to effectively exercise tact, discretion, judgment, and diplomacy when interacting and/or negotiating with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
- Extensive and proven management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, train, develop and manage the performance of a large multi-disciplinary team.
- Superior experience building and managing strong, positive relationships with stakeholders including underrepresented and/or diverse communities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE)
- 10+ years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, including experience in major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, corporate and foundation grants and special events.
- Prior experience working with justice-based organizations.
TRAVEL
Approximately 25-30% of your time will be spent traveling.
LOCATION
The position will be based at ProGeorgia’s office in Atlanta, GA. The office operates with a hybrid remote/in-person environment requiring staff to come into the office 2-3 days a week. ProGeorgia is open to qualified candidates willing to relocate to Atlanta, GA.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The competitive base salary range for this position is $150,000 - $175,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience. In addition, ProGeorgia also offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; 401k and company matching; and generous holiday, vacation, and leave benefits.
ProGeorgia State Table is an equal opportunity employer and having a diverse staff is a fundamental principle at ProGeorgia, where employment, development and promotion opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.