Director of Development

RISE Memphis, Inc. Position Announcement – November 2023

RISE is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Title/Department:             Director of Development

Location:                                 1355 Lynnfield St., Suite 101  Memphis, TN 38119

Status/Recruitment:                Full-time, NonExempt, Internal and External

Closing Date:                         Open until filled.  Immediate need. 

Salary/Hourly Range:             $70-80,000 annualized DOE plus excellent fringe benefits

Organization

RISE Memphis, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to improve the community by providing financial literacy tools and incentives to help families build assets and make better financial choices.  Since its inception in 1999, RISE has empowered people to become financially self-sufficient by building and sustaining human and financial assets.  It is our vision to transform the financial well-being of low-income working people, thereby improving the community. A partnership between the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, the Memphis Housing Authority and the United Way of the Mid-South led to the creation of RISE in October 1999. With its original mission to help public housing residents achieve financial independence, RISE served 48 families and helped them create assets of $83,000. Since that time, RISE has provided thousands of citizens with financial information that has assisted them with purchasing their first large assets, encouraged over 425 youth to learn about money and excel in school each year, improved the money management skills of over 4,000 area employees, and brought together more than 130 organizations to address predatory lending practices and educate citizens about ways to avoid costly alternative lending traps.  To date, RISE’s work has created millions in assets for residents of Memphis. RISE has helped its participants to eliminate over $3 million in non-mortgage debt. Simply put, RISE empowers people to stand on their own feet financially and have long-term financial sustainability.  For more information, please visit www.risememphis.org.

Position:

RISE has an immediate opening for a full-time director of development (DOD) to fortify and lead its fundraising and friend-raising efforts, in collaboration with the President/CEO.  Primary responsibilities include:

1. Design and implement, in concert with the president/CEO, a comprehensive 3-year fund development plan and appropriate marketing strategies.
2. Actively engage with the president/CEO and board members to engage them in major gift cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts. 
3. Identify, define and acquire funding resources available to the organization.
4. Establish and maintain relationships with current, past and potential donors.  Represent organization in meetings with potential funding sources as necessary.
5. Develop grant applications and manage reporting requirements for grant awards. 
6. Maintain ongoing contact with RISE staff regarding programs and plans.  
7. Manage donor databases and fundraising software.  Monitor donor information and provide statistical data for donor giving.  Develop statistical reports as requested. 
8. Assist with managing special fundraising events (i.e., annual gala, golf tournament, quarterly “friend-raiser” socials, etc.).
9. Supervise and coach development/fundraising team members.
10. Manage volunteer opportunities within the organization.
11. Serves as liaison to the fund development committee of the board of directors.
12. Performs other responsibilities and activities that may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.  

Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of successful fundraising experience with over $2 million dollars in annual gifts.  Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) preferred.  Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, Instrumental, and the ability to master other Windows-based computer software applications required.  Excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary.  The ability to engage with a diverse group of citizens in crucial.  The work schedule requires occasional evening and weekend hours.  Applicants will be required to travel locally and must have a valid driver’s license, daily access to an operable automobile with State mandated automobile insurance.

Working Conditions: 

The position requires the employee to sit for hours at a time, drive, stand, walk, type, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, kneel, bend, stoop, talk, see and hear.  Candidates must be able to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.  Specific vision abilities require close and distance vision and requires looking at a microcomputer screen for extended periods of time.  The noise level in the work environment is moderate.  The employee is exposed to moderate levels of stress during peak periods. 

How to Apply:  Submit a cover letter detailing your interest and experience as a seasoned fundraiser, resume and three (3) professional references via email to humanresources@risememphis.org.  Please note “Director of Development” in the subject line.  Only qualified applicants need apply.  Staff will acknowledge receipt of your documents via email.  RISE is an equal opportunity employer.