Fund Development Specialist

JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for assisting with donor development strategy including identifying donor prospects, developing relationships, and securing gifts. Engages in stewardship activities to retain donors and identify ways to increase giving. Assists with obtaining sponsorships and other donations to achieve fundraising goals. Develops partnerships with local and corporate businesses, community members, and Blue Ridge employees to obtain and grow donor and volunteer bases. Identifies new grant opportunities and manages the application and implementation process. Processes donor gifts, foundation month-end balancing, and manages donor database.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Ability to network, identify, build, expand, and manage effective community partnerships and donor relationships
2. High level of comfort making donor contacts including phone, face-to-face, and virtual
3. Assists with building and executing donor development and stewardship plans  
4. Use of project management skills to ensure success of stewardship and giving campaigns
5. Strong public speaking skills to promote mission, direction, and work of the foundation in the community
6. Identify new grant opportunities, perform grant research, write applications, grant implementation, and manage reporting process
7. Strong financial skills to include monthly balancing and budget management
8. Donor database management to include maintaining donor records, processing charitable gifts, and reporting
9. Serve as a liaison and resource for board members, volunteers, and donors
10. Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:      Bachelor's Degree preferred with preference in Business Administration

Experience:     Minimum of 2 years in non-profit fund development; proficient with Microsoft Office solutions

Other:              

• Sales or business development experience
• Grant writing experience preferred
• Financial management and budget experience 
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills
• Ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy
• Strategic thinking skills
• Blackbaud software experience

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Requires functional vision and hearing, manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination and verbal communication skills. Sitting for long periods of time, standing, stooping, bending and stretching required. Occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.