Director of Development

About Aspire Living & Learning 

At Aspire Living & Learning, amazing things happen every day. Relationships are formed. Lives are transformed. Through connection and self-discovery, neurodiverse children and adults are discovering their passions, unlocking potential, and thriving. Aspire employees are essential to the helping people realize their passions, potential, and power.  We are a diverse group of people, who are connected through our commitment to the mission.   
 

Job Summary: 

Reporting to and in partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director of Development will plan and implement a development and fundraising program to provide for the short- and long-term needs of the organization. This is a new position in the agency, and an exciting opportunity to build a team that supports the development function for the organization. The ideal candidate will have a hands-on approach to problem solving, with a strong background in building and executing strategic plans. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• Oversees the development office and grants manager. 
• Delegates, plans, and oversees the work of department employees. 
• Conducts timely performance evaluations in support of both organizational and individual goals. 

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Works with the Chief Advancement Officer as a thought partner to determine the mission, purpose, and priorities of the philanthropy team. 
• Sets annual monetary goals and budgets according to short- and long-term financial goals. 
• Establishes fundraising objectives for the organization, setting one year, five year, and longer-term goals. 
• Maintains a detailed list of potential financial donors including corporations, foundations, and individuals. 

• Produces relevant and informative fundraising literature for distribution to previous donors and the public. 
• Researches potential sources of grants and public funding while managing organizational applications and determining future needs. 
• Oversees the fundraising process and maintains records of receipts and disbursements of funds. 
• Manages the day to day operations of the department 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Extensive knowledge of fundraising strategies and principles. 
• Excellent management and supervisory skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills. 

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelors degree required. 
• Five years of experience in fundraising for a nonprofit organization highly preferred. 
• Understanding of tax planning principles and techniques that favor charitable giving. 

• Knowledge of Salesforce highly preferred.  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.