Development Director, WVSOM Foundation

Summary: The Development Director of the WVSOM Foundation’s main objective is to provide leadership in the achievement of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine’s (WVSOM) overall strategic fundraising plan.  This includes procuring funds to support WVSOM’s programs to promote WVSOM’s mission. This position reports to the WVSOM President and works collaboratively with the WVSOM Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors.

 

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Procure funds for the Foundation annually based on the target amount established and approved by the Foundation Board of Directors. This would be completed by:
  1. Locating sources of funding, approaching suitable funders (i.e. individuals, foundations or corporations/business that are local, regional and/or national), and soliciting major donors. These tasks include:
     1. Development of an efficient and productive prospecting system that produces a significant number of qualified leads for direct cultivation and solicitation of gift opportunities.
     2. Building effective, meaningful, and long-term relationships with individuals with an inclination and capacity to support the organization.

• Uses skill and persuasion to inspire passion for the values and mission of the organization.

1. Correspond via the preferred method of communication and meeting with donors, and then acknowledging and recording all gifts in the appropriate donor database system.
2. Capitalize on the opportunities for engagement.
3. Strategically build a case for support that leads to a donor who is invested in the organization financially and emotionally.

1. Assisting with writing and reviewing grant proposals for submission to ensure compliance with funding guidelines, demonstrate strong program design, and a present a compelling need for financial support.
2. Work with WVSOM Grant Writer to draft Letter of Intents (LOIs), grant application narratives and budgets, and collaborate to finalize with development, program and finance staff, along with the VP for Community Engagement and Development.

• Provide leadership and assist the WVSOM’s fund raising activities to include:

1. Annual Spring and End of Year Campaigns
2. Capital Campaigns
3. Payroll Deductions
4. Planned Giving Programs
5. Matched Giving Programs
6. Management of Scholarship Funds
7. Any other fund-raising activities as directed or approved by the President of WVSOM

 

• Maintain contacts outside WVSOM through involvement in professional foundations and development organizations.
• Assist in providing Development and Foundation information as required for the WVSOM Magazine. This includes working with designers for marketing and promotional materials, and working with other departments for marketing and promotional materials.
• Support the daily operations of the Foundation to include:

1. Overseeing and assuring compliance within the Foundation, which is the gift receiving arm of WVSOM.
2. Maintain relationships with the Foundation Board and coordinate Board activities, including:
   1. Providing directors regular updates on fundraising activity;
   2. Assisting in the development and implementation of sound Board policies and procedures;

• Maintaining accurate Foundation records;

1. Assisting with the Foundation Audit on an annual basis;
2. Assisting with the Foundation Annual Report;
3. Assisting in implementation of Board directives.

 

• Participate in WVSOM events and activities and otherwise play an active role as part of the team to advance the mission of WVSOM.
• Perform other related functions as needed or directed.

 

Education and Experience

This position requires a Master’s degree in business, public administration, or related. Successful candidate should have five years non-profit fund-raising experience, preferably in higher education.  A combination of education and experience may also be considered for this position.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and sensitivities. This position requires the presence, poise, and demeanor to inspire comfort and confidence among donors and prospects. The ability to build rapport and have a genuine desire to build lasting relationships is essential to this role.
• Ability to articulate WVSOM’s mission and vision with passion and persuasion.
• Requires strong organizational skills, focus, and goal-oriented coupled with a high level of initiative, creativity, energy, flexibility, and the ability to work independently. Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and able to shift focus and/or priorities as demands and/or direction changes.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively, work well under pressure, and manage details of several concurrent projects effectively and successfully.
• Enhanced writing skills including the ability to craft meaningful fundraising letters, compelling proposals, and other written communication as needed for this role.
• A high level of personal and professional integrity with a commitment to ethical fundraising.
• Demonstrated knowledge of general accounting principles.
• Maintain successful working relationships with volunteer boards.
• Commitment to building collegiality and collaboration in a team environment with peers, have the ability to give and receive advice, foster collaborative decision making, and achieve established goals.
• Gained proficiency in Windows applications and fundraising software (DonorPerfect or ScaleFunder knowledge preferred) and willingness to learn new applications as necessary.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently and to work outside the normal schedule including early morning meetings, evening engagements, and weekend obligations as required for the position.

Position

This is a full-time, non-classified position; it is exempt from FLSA regulations concerning overtime. Not all activities of this position occur within the confines of an 8:00-4:30 schedule and may require evening and weekend scheduling as needed. The weekly schedule for this position will be established between the supervisor and the employee and approved given the needs of the department and the institution.

 

This position has been designated as Essential. This means that when WVSOM is faced with an institutional emergency, employees in such positions may be required to remain at their work location or to report to work to protect, recover and continue operations at WVSOM.

 

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to enhancing diversity among its faculty and staff.