Development Director

WHO WE ARE:
Mar Vista Family Center is a community center that caters to families on the Westside of Los Angeles. Founded in 1980, Mar Vista Family Center has developed a unique Shared Responsibility Model that is part of  effective programs that support entire families and the community. The Center’s long-term involvement with whole families has improved family functioning, decreased domestic violence, improved youth’s academic success and expanded the number of youth attending college. The Center that started serving 6 families is now serving 300+ families.

Our mission is to provide families with quality early childhood education, youth enrichment, and educational tools to create the positive change that they want in their lives and their community.

We are looking for a Development Director to join us to help lead our organization to our next phase as we continue to grow and scale in the community. This role will report to our Chief Executive Officer, will work closely with the Board of Directors and committees, and supervise the two development agency staff.

WHO YOU ARE:
Seasoned – Bringing 5+ years of development/fundraising experience. You understand how to approach fundraising strategically and have executed many fundraising plans effectively. You understand fund development, grant-writing, and can navigate balance sheets in an integrated and seamless way. Prior planned giving experiences a plus.

Influential – You have no problem “pounding the pavement” to find every way possible to generate fundraising. You’re engaged with the public, viewed as a great community ambassador, and have experience building strong strategic alliances of very engaged donors (individual, corporations, foundations and government) that capitalize on resources they’re interested in providing. You’re also savvy with a pen and keyboard, developing a wide range of communications to target new audiences, broadening awareness of MVFC, including writing our annual fund report. Finally, you’re able to prepare and give presentations to donors, Board members, civic leaders, and other nonprofit groups.

Diligent – You’ve been hailed for your excellent organizational and project management skills with a strong attention to detail. You’re disciplined, but flexible to changing priorities, especially as they impact fundraising efforts. You’ll maintain all aspects of our donor database, and will report regularly on development effort progress. You’re also not afraid to look critically at our current efforts, and will tell us where we need to be better.

Thoughtful - You’re on top of the latest funding sources and trends, major gifts programs, and are actively advising the CEO on the best new opportunities to generate donations and government grants. You’re comfortable managing our portfolio of yearly fundraising events and will recommend, and then plan additional fundraising events.

A Servant Leader – As the leader of the development efforts, you’re able to both mentor and roll up your sleeves to get the job done. You can create budgets and timelines for projects, and then manage the workflows for each. You’re also actively reviewing development staff work and performance, taking accountability for their output and their career development. You’re also willing to pitch-in as a team member on other teams to ensure we’re all succeeding together at all times.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree. Certificate in fundraising is a plus.
• Minimum five years’ experience in nonprofit fundraising. 
• Minimum three years’ experience managing and motivating staff.
• Demonstrated experience with sophisticated grant writing, including government grants. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Internet competency and computer proficiency, including comprehensive knowledge of Donor Perfect software and experience with word processing, spreadsheet, publishing and database software.

Mar Vista Family Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.