Vice President of Philanthropy

The mission of Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter is to provide a safe haven, high-quality care, and hope for the future to children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Established in 1993, NWACS is a private, non-profit organization. Our 32-bed, state-of-the-art residential Shelter provides 24-hour emergency care for children throughout Arkansas who are victims of abandonment, abuse, or neglect. Building on three decades of experience working with children and trauma, in 2020 our work expanded with the opening of Hope Academy, the first trauma-centered open-enrollment charter school in the state of Arkansas. Our work centers around positive trauma-informed practices and takes a comprehensive, whole-child approach to care and education; creating a stable, safe, and loving environment in which the hundreds of children who walk through our doors each year can begin to heal.

OUR VALUES: 

Compassion: Recognize and meet the needs of children with respect, sensitivity, and unconditional love

Excellence: Set the standard for high-quality service to children by performing above the expected

Integrity: Strive with our words and actions to be worthy of the trust placed in us

THE POSITION: 

As the Vice President of Philanthropy, you will be entrusted with the strategic leadership and management of all philanthropic efforts within our organization. Your primary responsibility will be to cultivate and steward relationships with donors, supporters, and key stakeholders, with the ultimate goal of advancing our mission and securing funding for our programs and initiatives. You will lead a team dedicated to fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, and event management, ensuring that our philanthropic activities are aligned with our organizational values and objectives. Additionally, you will collaborate closely with senior leadership to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies that drive revenue growth and sustainability. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, a proven track record of successful fundraising in the nonprofit sector, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact on society. The VP must work closely with the President and Board of Directors to develop fundraising goals and strategies that align with the organization’s mission and values.

Key Responsibilities

To include but not limited to the following:

• Maintain a personal portfolio of high net-worth individual and corporate donors. 
• Manage a team of development professionals. 
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for this portfolio of prospects, developing and implementing a written donor strategy and relationship record. 
• Communicate with portfolio through face-to-face cultivation, solicitation, stewardship meetings, and written strategies; ensure that each donor and prospect has a clear strategy and timeline for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. 
• Plan and execute NWACS annual fundraising events to achieve revenue and engagement targets. 
• Provide oversight, to ensure high-quality engagement experiences for corporate partners. 
• In partnership with department directors, create and manage department budgets, and track and report on progress to goals. 
• Oversee all development-related materials with the community engagement department. 
• Ensure proper recognition in all publications and oversee accurate donor lists for those publications. 
• Manage data input into fundraising software, gift acknowledgment, and appropriate tax documentation. 
• Provide strategic leadership to develop and maintain a meaningful development plan that supports the execution on short and long-term initiatives through continuous assessment of Shelter resources and the changing needs of the NWA Children's Shelter. 

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

Proficiency in the use of computers, office management, or organization. Excellent verbal, writing editing, and communication skills. Ability to present information concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing. Ability to prioritize and multi-task work; self-motivated and excellent in building donor relationships that lead to personal face-to-face solicitations and increased gifts. Must be able to work with and manage volunteers and committee members. Good public speaking, writing, and editing skills, excellent organizational skills, and ability to take initiative and work independently. Team player willing to help with other development department duties as necessary or assigned.  Experience in grant writing and planned giving experience highly preferred.  Donor portfolio management is also highly desired.

Minimum Qualifications

• 21 years of age or older 
• Must be CFRE Certified 
• 5+ years of leadership experience 
• 7+ years in Fund Development 
• Bachelor’s degree

Working Conditions and Environment/Physical Demands

The demands described are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Tasks may involve walking, standing, climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching, and lifting for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must pass all criminal history and child maltreatment background checks.
• Must submit to pre-employment a drug screen as well as random drug screens when directed.
• Valid driver's license, proof of personal automobile insurance, and acceptable driving record required to drive shelter vehicles for shelter business.
• Must maintain confidentiality and privacy regarding all Children’s Shelter residents' information in accordance with NWACS policy and all applicable Federal and state laws/regulations.
• Attend and participate in mandatory training, staff meetings, and all other events, as required.
• Set, maintain, and communicate appropriate personal and professional boundaries.
• Complete all required documentation in a timely manner per NWACS procedures.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it.  Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.       

Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. NWACS offers excellent benefits and a competitive salary based on experience. For consideration, qualified candidates must submit a detailed resume.