Director of Development

POSITION TITLE:             Director of Development

STATUS:                                Full-time/Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO:                     Executive Director

Organization Overview: Augustine Literacy Project – Charlotte (ALP) is a Charlotte-based non-profit with a mission to transform the lives of low-income students who struggle with literacy by improving their reading, writing and spelling skills through long-term, individualized instruction from highly trained tutors.

ALP pursues this mission utilizing a one-on-one tutoring methodology for students in first, second and third grades built on the research-based Orton-Gillingham approach and uses materials developed by Wilson Language Training Corporation and ALP. In school year 2017-18, ALP volunteer tutors operated in 19 Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools, serving almost 200 students through 6,466 free tutoring sessions with a market value of over $320,000.

Additionally, in fall 2018, ALP became a collaborative partner with Read Charlotte, Tutor Charlotte, Helps Education Fund and CMS to launch a literacy intervention called HELPS. Helping Early Literacy with Practice Strategies is an evidence-based and research validated intervention proven to strengthen children’s reading fluency and improve their motivation and self-confidence. The program is serving over 100 students in 10 CMS schools this year, with plans for rapid expansion over the next five years.

Augustine Literacy Project-Charlotte’s vision is that all children have access to reading instruction that meets their individual needs and improves their opportunities to be successful in school and in life. ALP is undergoing a period of strategic growth. In recent years, the organization has expanded its reach by collaborating with other literacy-focused non-profits. ALP has begun playing a significant role in the larger movement to bring about a reading revolution in our community.

Position Overview: Augustine Literacy Project – Charlotte is seeking its first fulltime Director of Development (DoD). This self-starting and dynamic individual will be responsible for the design of an intentional approach to the organization’s contributed revenue strategy to continue to grow ALP’s community impact in alignment with the organization’s mission and vision. The DoD will serve as a key internal leader for the organization as part of the Leadership Team and a close collaborator of the Executive Director, managing all efforts related (but not limited) to capital and/or annual campaigns, leadership gifts, giving societies, fundraising or awareness-building events, grant-seeking, corporate gifts, and planned giving. The DoD will carefully track and steward ALP’s donors and volunteers through personal interaction and careful data management. The DoD will also be a highly visible ALP ambassador in Charlotte representing the unique values of the agency, building critical relationships with civic leaders and similarly aligned partner organizations, and enhancing the organization’s brand recognition as a key player in the community’s coordinated literacy continuum efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Development and Fundraising
  • In collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, build and oversee the implementation of an aspirational, achievable annual Development plan and establish multi- year vision for long-term strategy for contributed revenue.
  • Lead all organization-wide Development functions including:
  • The establishment of a major gifts program;
  • Identifying and applying for grants;
  • Planning/implementing special events including the biennial Rise and Read Breakfast, Major Donor Stewardship Events, and Get Rowdy for Reading;
  • Direct scheduled outreach efforts including the Year End Annual Fund, Giving Tuesday activities, and other similar activities;
  • Ensure a targeted approach to communications and marketing that includes all avenues of outreach including hard mail and social media.
• Work closely with the Executive Director to ensure effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts for key donors and prospects (including individuals, corporations, foundations, government funders, the faith community, and civic groups) through use of innovative strategies and creative implementation.
• II.Leadership and Operations
  • Serve as an accessible, collaborative, and inspirational leader within the organization and a visible, positive advocate for ALP in the community.
  • Capacity, if/when need arises, to plan and supervise the growth of a Development team.
  • Maintain effective development systems and record-keeping procedures to track current and prospective donors and accurately report all fundraising income.
  • Prepare, monitor, and manage the annual Development budget and related financial reports.
  • Support the organization’s mission by participating in and contributing to the Leadership Team.
  • Facilitate, engage, and support the Board of Directors in order to meet Development goals.
  • Serve as an effective liaison internally connecting Development work to broader work of the agency as a whole.
  III.Advocacy and Outreach
  • Coordinate and participate in advocacy/civic engagement efforts on behalf of the organization as directed by the Executive Director.
  • Proactively represent the agency at community events, professional societies, and in other public roles in order to connect with prospective donors, both individual and institutional.
  • Increase community awareness around the organization’s mission and impact.
  Qualifications:
  • A passion for the ALP’s mission, programs, culture, and values.
  • Commitment to the belief that effective reading instruction can change the trajectory of a child’s life.
  • An understanding that literacy is a fundamental component of improving social mobility and access to opportunity in our community.
  • Excellent communications and relationship building skills, both internally and externally.
  • Comfortable and energetic in public roles.
  • Confident, proactive, and compassionate professional who values working in a fast-paced, and creative environment (ALP may consider a flexible work schedule dependent on employee availability to cover all aspects of the job).
  • Personable individual who will nurture existing relationships with our community of donors and volunteers, as well as identify and initiate relationships with new and diverse stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of the Charlotte philanthropic landscape and existing network of local leaders and funders.
  • Bachelor's Degree required.
  • Master’s Degree, relevant fundraising certifications, and professional association membership are a plus.
  • 5+ years of relevant professional experience; including (but not limited to) nonprofit management, fundraising, community relations/marketing, business development, and/or executive positions. (Salary will be commensurate with experience.)
  • Familiarity with and proficiency in utilizing fundraising data software is a plus.
  To Apply: Please send your resume, cover letter and professional references to search@pattonmcdowell.com.

  ALP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.