Changing Lives Through Literacy

Literacy Achieves seeks a dynamic and experienced Director of Development to lead our fundraising efforts as the organization approaches 30 years of service in the Dallas community.

If you are...

passionate about education and have exceptional relationship-building skills,
a nonprofit fundraising professional with 5+ years experience,
and an accomplished grant writer

...then we encourage you to apply for this impactful leadership position!

With a proven track record of fundraising success, the ideal candidate will plan and implement strategic fundraising and communication initiatives to support our mission of equipping non-English speaking adults and their young children with English literacy and life skills.

The Director of Development will oversee grants, special events, and campaigns to meet short- and long-term fundraising goals. This role involves cultivating major gifts, managing donor stewardship strategies, and developing an annual communications plan that strengthens our brand identity and supports donors' philanthropic objectives.

Our organization has a strong foundation of support, including over 200 weekly volunteer teachers and a dedicated community of financial supporters. The signature Wings of Spring Gala has been a cornerstone of our annual fundraising efforts for more than a decade. We seek a strategic leader who can leverage this existing support to drive our development team to new heights.

The successful candidate will strengthen relationships with individual donors and family foundations, secure major gifts and awards, and help ensure Literacy Achieves can continue providing essential literacy and language services to adults and children in our community.

LEADERSHIP

Collaborate with the Executive Director to create and optimize the annual development and fundraising growth plan.
Provide strategic direction and short- and long-range planning to grow the annual giving program while supporting the broader development goals of the organization.
Serve as staff liaison for the board development committee and assist with board fundraising training and engagement.
Present accurate and updated fundraising outcomes and strategies at bi-monthly board meetings.
Represent the agency at meetings and events with grantors and donors, in partnership with, or instead of, the Executive Director.
Supervise the development team, providing coaching and opportunities for skills development.
Serve as an enthusiastic and committed member of the agency’s leadership team.

FUNDRAISING

Utilizing monday.com, oversee and manage the annual grant pipeline.
Research and support internal grant writing to broaden opportunities.
Provide oversight of grant writing services to ensure grants and reports are written accurately and meet guidelines and deadlines.
Maintain records and work with the program outcomes and finance teams to prepare summary reports.
Write grants and complete grant reports as needed, ensuring accurate and on-time submissions.
Support the Executive Director in donor engagement and portfolio management strategies.
Develop and manage a personal portfolio of donors with a tailored stewardship plan.
Oversee stewardship activities; ensure a high-touch response to partners and donors.
Create, plan, and implement a fundraising strategy for North Texas Giving Day, year-end giving campaign, and estate planning campaign, and solicit and grow monthly, major, and new donors.
Plan and successfully implement fundraising events including the annual Wings of Spring Gala.
Identify and cultivate relationships with new interfaith, community, and corporate partners, and develop plan to steward and maintain existing relationships.
Manage department-specific contracts and relationships with outside vendors.
Champion best practices in the nonprofit and fundraising fields.
Utilize the CRM system (Bloomerang) to accurately track, monitor, and report on donor engagement, giving patterns, and retention.
Collaborate with the Information Systems and Data Director to ensure healthy and regularly reviewed integrations of systems.

COMMUNICATIONS

Develop and implement an organization-wide communications plan and ensure that all donor segments receive timely and updated communications.
Lead the creation of scripts for agency events, ensuring they are mission-focused and personalized for the audience.
Ensure marketing and communication materials and messages adhere to brand standards and are consistent across platforms and audiences.
Oversee the creation and distribution of printed and digital materials that engage and educate targeted audiences and inspire corresponding action (e.g., newsletters).
Create solicitation and collateral materials, presentations, and visualization tools to support the board and other staff members, ensuring materials maintain or enhance the organization’s brand image.
Manage direct-mail and online giving campaigns for individuals and event underwriting.
Ensure timely and accurate acknowledgment of donors through private and public recognition, including thank you letters, newsletters, and annual reports.
Oversee the website and maintain a consistent social media presence to engage, inform, and enlist community stakeholders.
Serve as point of contact for external media requests.

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Characteristics

Demonstrated commitment to the mission and core values of Literacy Achieves.
Positive, enthusiastic personality.
Naturally assumes responsibility with a high expectation of service quality.
Five years of experience as a nonprofit fundraising professional, with at least two years' experience writing and managing grants.
Excellent ability to cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with all community stakeholders; demonstrates donor stewardship best practices and skills.
Event and/or project planning experience.
Experience in hiring, training, coaching, and supervising staff.
Outstanding writing skills and impeccable attention to detail.
Adaptable and able to manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines and under pressure.
Ability to use sound judgment and maintain privacy and confidentiality.
Ability to be flexible and adaptable within a growing, fast-paced organization.
High standards of performance, quality, credibility and integrity.
High proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Proficiency in fundraising CRM systems (Bloomerang preferred).
Proficiency in work management systems (monday.com preferred)
Team player who fosters a collaborative and respectful environment with staff, board, and volunteers.
CFRE or other fundraising certifications are valued.

Literacy Achieves is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

BENEFITS

Group health insurance

Company-matched IRA

21 days paid vacation per year, plus 7 observed holidays and December 24-January 1 office closure

Literacy Achieves

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