Director of Development

About Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, Inc.

Governed by our mission to provide food and shelter with dignity to individuals and families in need while promoting a path to independence through direct services and partnerships, NSKS has been providing services for over 44 years in the the Nashua community.   We strive to meet the basic needs of those most vulnerable in our community with respect and empathy.  

Director of Development Position

We are seeing a strategic thinker who can help us create a sustainable fundraising strategy, focusing on individual giving, corporate sponsors, grants and special events, designed to meet the ongoing funding needs of NSKS and align with our three-year strategic plan. 

Fundraising and Donor Relations 

• Supervise execution of annual fundraising campaign, including but not limited to direct mail appeals, annual benefit, grants, and individual donor cultivation.
• Evaluate existing philanthropic giving and identify opportunities to grow revenue.
• Research foundations and write and/or edit grant proposals.
• Oversee gift acknowledgement, donor recognition, and stewardship.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteer committees on special events, taking lead responsibility for sponsor solicitation.
• Cultivate area corporate relationships to increase both financial and in-kind support.
• Develop a robust donor pipeline of individual donors, corporate partners, foundations and government agencies through prospecting, cultivation and maintenance.
• Lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors, with a focus on managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors.
• Build and maintain strong and meaningful relationships with major donors, corporate partners, and foundations. 

 Communications 

• Develop materials to be used as tools in the development process: impact statements, donor letters, fundraising brochures, email solicitations, newsletter articles, website, annual report and more.
• Work with communications staff and consultants to maintain clear and consistent messaging in all media venues, including print and online solicitation materials.
• Align development strategies with communications efforts to elevate community awareness and branding for NSKS. 

Leadership and Strategy 

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for the Development team, including overseeing staff and vendors supporting grants, events, and marketing efforts.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Senior Leadership Team to align fundraising efforts with organizational goals and community needs.
• Develop metrics and reporting systems to track fundraising performance and donor engagement.
• Ensure effective use of donor database (CRM) for prospect tracking, donor engagement, and gift acknowledgment.
• Participate in committees and sub-committees of the Board of Directors.
• Build the board’s understanding of their role in fundraising and their fundraising activity, providing training on fundraising.
• Communicate with program staff to be fully informed of NSKS’ work. 

Other Duties and Responsibilities 

• Attendance is an essential function of the job.
• Understand, believe, and advocate for the mission of the NSKS.
• Maintain strict standards of client and donor confidentiality.
• Adhere to agency policies, procedures, and a professional code of ethics.
• Assist in fostering good public relations of the agency.
• Participate in regular staff meetings, staff training programs, supervisory sessions, and accept the responsibility for aiding in the development of positive team relationships.
• Participate in formalized training that would increase skills.
• Flexibility in work schedule.
• Must maintain up-to-date contact information. 

The Successful Candidate will have:

• Have 3+ years supervisory experience able to supervise and manage a team of up to five individuals.
• Have 5-7 years of experience in non-profit fundraising including major gift solicitation.
• Database management is required.
• Be a detail-oriented, organized, and engaging Development Professional.
• Must exhibit strong, principled, collaborative leadership skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are required.
• Must be able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, work as part of a team, lead a team, and be willing to take on responsibilities beyond those explicitly assigned.
• Additionally, the individual will have excellent interpersonal skills and overall teachability. The candidate must also exercise sound judgment regarding confidential matters.