ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 dedicated to the mission of engaging residents, businesses, and institutions in creating and maintaining a thriving Delridge community.  Our primary strategies for advancing this mission include developing and operating affordable housing and community facilities, operating the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, enhancing infrastructure for community health, and developing and supporting local grassroots leadership and initiative.  Having recently completed the successful $27 million Three Projects|One Community Campaign, DNDA is embarking on the Strength of Place Initiative to ensure equitable development of the rapidly gentrifying White Center, and on the King County Food and Fitness Initiative to develop vibrant communities that support access to locally grown, healthy, affordable food and safe and inviting places for physical activity and play—for everyone.  We seek a motivated and qualified professional to lead our fund development efforts and provide oversight for our community building programs. 

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Development Director will lead the fundraising efforts of DNDA’s board and staff team, including the developing the fundraising strategies, messages, and materials; coordinating the implementation carried out by several board and staff members; and building and maintaining the organization's constituent record-keeping and communication infrastructure.  As a pace-setter, the Development Director will play a prominent role in cultivating a wide range of strategic relationships with business, civic, and community leaders.  The Development Director also provides oversight and support for DNDA’s community building staff.  This is a full-time exempt position.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fund Development:

• Lead the development of DNDA's comprehensive strategy for fund development  
• Take primary responsibility for development and implementation of annual fundraising plans
• Identify, cultivate and solicit contributions from individual major donors
  
• Manage the organization’s direct mail campaign and other appeals
• Ensure that the organization regularly communicates its accomplishments to donors and prospects through a variety of means (mail, email, phone, events)
• Ensure the success of Links to the Community, DNDA’s major fundraising event
• Identify new grant prospects through research, cultivate relationships with grantors, manage information to ensure timely applications, follow-up reports, etc., and assist as needed with preparation of grant applications
• Recruit house party hosts and provide information and support for these events
• Work closely with, and provide leadership to fundraising related committees or task forces

Staff Team:

• Participate in the senior management team: assist in establishing direction and policy and in cultivating strong cross-departmental collaboration
• Work closely with all staff who engage constituencies to ensure outreach and program activities are coordinated with development strategies
• Supervise and support four staff positions and additional human resources on the Fund Development & Community Building team

Minimum Qualifications - to be considered for the position, the candidate's application must demonstrate that he or she is:

• Passionate:  Shares a commitment to the mission of the organization and the vision and values reflected in its work.  
• Trained:  Holds a B.A. in a related field or equivalent field experience 
• Experienced:  Has accrued five or more years of progressive leadership in fundraising
• Articulate:  Evidences communication skills using a range of media
• Motivating:  Demonstrates interpersonal skills and ability to engage a diverse community of supporters.; shows ability to work creatively and collaboratively, engaging others to participate in fundraising
• Organized:  Is able to manage multiple details of large projects, events or campaigns
• Resourceful:  Can use information and communication technology adeptly and independently
• Focused:  Utilizes a proactive approach to time and workflow management
• Independent:  Is enthusiastic about managing projects independently and working accurately under deadline.

 The most competitive applicants will be able to demonstrate that they are:

• Savvy:  Can confidently communicate nuanced community issues with widely divergent audiences
• Creative/Entrepreneurial:  Can point to success in developing new models, leveraging unconventional resources, "thinking outside the box"
• Adept:  Has worked closely with a wide range of divergent constituencies; philanthropists, low-income families, small business owners, artists, public servants, private developers, service providers, etc.  
• Connected:  Holds close familiarity with the Delridge Neighborhoods, White Center, and/or the broader West Seattle peninsula. 
  

To apply: 

By June 6, 2008 send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references to personnel@dnda.org.  E-mail submissions are preferred.  Mailed submissions can be sent to:

Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association
Attention:  Personnel
5411 Delridge Way SW
Seattle, WA  98106