Development Associate Director, Annual Giving

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for the more than 140,000 children waiting in North America's foster care systems. Created by Wendy's® founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and innovative grantmaking.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Reporting to the director, development, the development associate director, annual giving is responsible for executing the annual fund program, focused on individual giving between $1-$10,000, that supports the Foundation's comprehensive philanthropic program. This includes annual campaigns both digitally and print; overseeing and leading the donor relations and stewardship program; stewarding prospective funders, as annual giving leaders; to grow and diversify funding for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in collaboration with external partners.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Lead multi-channel mid-level giving program, ensuring donor strategies align with the Foundations long-term fundraising goals

Partner with director, development to cultivate mid-level donors, manage prospect strategies, and build relationships that drive engagement and support successful funding opportunities

Collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders to implement strategies for funding opportunities that best deliver the mission with the desired outcomes for both the Foundation and funders; prepare and present proposals, as appropriate

Develop and maintain internal progress and summary reports to monitor effectiveness of prospective gift pipeline from identification through stewardship; analyze results and make strategic adjustments, as appropriate 2. Manages digital fundraising and annual giving strategies

Manage and execute an integrated direct mail and digital fundraising strategy including appeals, acquisition, renewal campaigns to drive donor acquisition, retention and funding programs; guide external agency partners as needed and analyze results to make strategic adjustments

Manage and execute the monthly giving and donor sustainer programs

Coordinate and expand the payroll deduction and emerging giving platform initiatives, including crypto currency, partnering with internal and external stakeholders

Collaborate with marketing and development team to recommend stories, voice and strategy for print, digital and additional platform campaign assets

Utilize data-driven analysis to evaluate campaign performance, identify growth opportunities, and recommend strategic adjustments to optimize results 3. Lead a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program

Manage all donor stewardship activities including acknowledgements, recognition, and special initiatives aligned with organizational giving levels, ensuring a consistent and personalized donor experience

Collaborate with communications team to direct strategic communication to donors in multiple mediums including annual reports to donors, endowment reports, gift acknowledgement, web pages, invitations, newsletter updates building effective donor engagement

Partner with the development operations team to track all donor relations and stewardship activities in donor database to enhance relationship and increase the likelihood of continued contributions 4. Contribute to shared department efforts, including mailings, donor experiences, phone calls and appeals as appropriate

5. Performs other duties as necessary or assigned

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The following qualifications are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required to serve in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Demonstrated knowledge of fundraising strategies, specifically around annual giving, digital engagement and direct mail programs to grow long-term donor relationships

Solution-oriented mindset, drives toward clarity and continuous improvement; demonstrates strong critical thinking, good judgment and complex problem-solving abilities with close attention to detail and the ability to synthesize information quickly

Highly organized, thorough and detail-oriented with the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and manage multiple projects with competing priorities

Excellent people and communications skills, with an ability to work independently and on a collaborative team; personal qualities of integrity, credibility and commitment to the mission

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with privileged information

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM / donor management systems; knowledge of project management tools (e.g., Asana) and quick to learn new systems

Values diversity and supports an inclusive culture through the ability to successfully communicate with and influence a diverse group of audiences EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Undergraduate degree in a related field

A minimum of 6 years' experience in midlevel giving, with at least 3 years' direct fundraising experience in a non-profit environment

Annual fund, direct mail and digital fundraising experience required

Experience with data analysis, reporting and trending preferred

National non-profit knowledge a plus

TRAVEL

Limited travel required

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, religious beliefs, political affiliation, creed, HIV/AIDS status, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, familial status, veteran/military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, prior arrest or any other category protected by applicable law. Any employee who engages in such conduct is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.