Chief Development Officer Search
Position Profile - Chief Development Officer
KidSmart – St. Louis, MO
KidSmart is seeking an experienced and dynamic individual to lead, implement, manage, and evaluate the organization’s overall financial development and philanthropic efforts and to be a key member of KidSmart’s growing executive management team.
The Organization
KidSmart was founded in 2002 with a mission to empower children in need to succeed in school by providing the essential tools for learning. Since its inception, KidSmart has distributed more than $22 million in free school supplies to nearly 100,000 economically disadvantaged children in the
St. Louis area. Donations from individuals and businesses help keep the shelves of its Free Store stocked with thousands of surplus and new items. Teacher shopping visits grew by 18% last year alone, and at present, an average of $30,000.00 worth of free supplies are distributed daily to teachers to take back to 3000 students in need.
Programs
- The KidSmart Free Store is where teachers shop for instructional supplies and educational incentives, at no cost, to equip St. Louis kids in need. The store is an educational resource center that provides support and inspiration for enhancing educational opportunities for children living in poverty.
- Crafts with Conviction is a collaborative program with the Missouri Department of Corrections in which offenders volunteer their time and labor to transform donated raw materials into educational and incentive items that are distributed by KidSmart.
KidSmart is the only free educational supply store in Missouri and serves students at more than 150 St. Louis-area schools, with priority given to schools with the highest poverty indices. KidSmart is located in an 11,000 square foot facility in Bridgeton, MO that houses its Free Store, warehouse and offices.
The organization is governed by a 15 member board of directors. The budget is approximately $5.5 million, including about $4.5 million in donated goods. Current staffing includes 7 positions.
KidSmart can be characterized as mature beyond its ten years, with solid finances, a talented, connected and well-developed board, and a committed staff. It is widely respected in the community by funders, the school systems, teachers and other community leaders. The organizational culture can be described as sophisticated yet down to earth, gracious and creative, and further distinguished by forward thinking and a commitment to setting and achieving high standards.
The Position
KidSmart is seeking a Chief Development Officer who has the confidence, knowledge and proven success to lead and successfully execute the fundraising efforts of this exceptionally solid, growing, and well positioned community-based nonprofit. The organization is looking for someone who is well prepared to provide the inspired external and internal leadership and execution required of this role.
This is a key executive leadership position that requires a strategic thinker and executor, capable manager and accomplished fundraiser. The Chief Development Officer will supervise the development department staff and is responsible for developing and implementing an annual Development Plan with detailed goals and objectives for a diverse and integrated fundraising program that includes annual giving campaigns, individual and corporate giving, major gifts, events, direct mail, planned giving, community partnerships and a capital campaign. The Chief Development Officer works closely with the Director of Marketing to enhance the philanthropic support including the development and implementation of e-philanthropy on-line, and social media initiatives.
Over the next two years, KidSmart’s goal is to reach more students by increasing the eligible teachers’ utilization rate of the store, increasing the percentage of revenue donated by individuals, and implementing a successful capital campaign that will allow the organization to move to a larger, more efficient, permanent rent-free facility. Priorities for the Chief Development Officer over the next 12 - 18 months include:
- Increase Annual Individual Giving from $200K to $242K
- Increase Corporate Giving from $205K to $235K
- Increase Foundation Giving from $148K to $213K
- Initiate the public phase of the new facility Capital Campaign
- Develop and grow e-philanthropy giving strategies
Key Responsibilities
The Chief Development Officer will report to the President and will lead, implement, manage, evaluate and successfully meet the organization’s overall financial development and philanthropic goals. He or she will be a key member of KidSmart’s growing executive management team.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop, lead and successfully execute a strategic development plan to grow and meet the funding goals of KidSmart
- Increase revenue from individual donors through informational meetings, annual fund, direct mail, online donations, special events, and campaign-based fundraising
- Raise funds from corporate donors through direct asks, sponsorships, cause marketing, employee giving, and matching gifts
- Identify and cultivate new prospects for major gifts and perform outreach to individuals, corporations, and others
- Maintain high level of donor stewardship through regular communication and relationship building
- Provide exemplary leadership and training in supervision of Development Team and volunteer Development Committee
- Work closely with other lead staff to develop compelling and creative approaches, materials, and resources to maximize the fundraising capacity of the organization
- Collaborate closely with Marketing and PR team to develop strategies that place KidSmart in the best position for securing and sustaining financial support
- Work with Board of Directors to develop and support a culture of giving
Qualifications
Ideal candidates for this position will share a commitment to KidSmart’s mission and will bring a variety of experiences and attributes, including:
Experience
- Five years of executive management experience – leadership, supervision staff, and business development
- Five years of professional experience in fundraising via multiple donor channels
- Demonstrated track record of organizing successful fundraising plan and activities, securing major gifts, and the ability to develop and execute high level gift strategies and solicitations
- Demonstrated success in maintaining and building relationships at all levels – individual, corporate, foundation, and peers
- Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral, including presentations in one-on-one and group settings
- Bachelor’s degree with advanced degree strongly preferred
- Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and donor database management systems
Attributes
- An entrepreneurial spirit and high level of creativity and innovation
- A steady leader with a bias for action and accountability
- A collaboration and relationship builder
- A team player and team builder
Compensation
· The salary is $95,000.
· KidSmart also offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package.
Application Process
· To apply, please send a letter of interest, resume and salary history via email only to:
KidSmart Search Committee
· Please, no phone calls or faxes.
· Application Deadline: January 6, 2012
For more information about KidSmart, please visit the website at: http://www.kidsmartstl.org
KidSmart is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to recruiting a broadly diverse pool of qualified candidates for the position.