Lead Development Officer

Our Company:

Lions Tigers & Bears is dedicated to providing a safe haven for unwanted and abused exotic animals and to educating the public about the abuses of the exotic animal trade.
Lions Tigers & Bears offers a wide range of programs and services including captive exotic and wildlife rescue, providing lifetime homes to rescued animals, educating the public about the abuses of captive exotic animals being used for entertainment/amusement, for canned hunts, and for the sale of body parts, and advocating for the regulation of private ownership of exotics.
We are a sanctuary that allows the animals in our care to live out their lives with dignity in a caring and safe environment.

Position Summary:

The Lead Development Officer (LDO) is responsible for leading and executing the fundraising activities of the organization, including establishing expectations, goals and developing new opportunities for growth.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in nonprofit fundraising, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record of successfully securing grants, soliciting and building long standing relationships with donors, corporations and foundation partners.

The LDO works closely with LTB leadership to facilitate the implementation of strategic projects and initiatives in addition to providing oversight and support of development, outreach, membership, customer service, and marketing/communications, and perform all other duties as assigned.

Strategic Fundraising Planning:

Manage the Development Department's annual budget creating effective strategies for maximizing donations, and timely communication with the Director/Founder, appraising the D/F of the status of fundraising activities.

Develop a comprehensive fundraising plan with clear strategies and actionable goals to identify, cultivate, and solicit donors.

Creates new and innovative plans and evaluates each fundraising activity to ensure a strong return on investment in staff time and cost of production.
Prepares income and expense budgets for each activity to present to the Director/Founder along with recommendations as needed.

Formulate and strive to meet significant fundraising targets, such as securing high-dollar contributions and attracting 5-6 figure gifts annually.

Work collaboratively with development staff to enhance fundraising efforts.

Refines fundraising plans to adopt strategies and campaigns that reflect the mission of LTB.

Community Engagement and Marketing:

Works collaboratively with communications & marketing staff to enhance fundraising efforts.

Serve as a representative of LTB by attending business, community, and philanthropy events and leveraging opportunities to communicate our impact and future goals.

Working with staff and volunteers, plan and execute all aspects of fundraising events such as Wild in the Country, the Christmas Party, Spooky Camp Over, donor recognition events and receptions, and assist with events booked by outside groups such as weddings and corporate meetings as needed.

Work closely with and provide appropriate direction and support to staff and volunteers responsible for event sponsorship and raffle/auction item acquisition.

Meets with event vendors as needed to ensure quality materials and successful events.

Grant Research and Application:

Ensures timely submission of reports and any other grant requirements.

Manages the organization's grants program, researching and following-up potential funding opportunities, draft grant proposals and take responsibility for reporting on the use of grant funds and managing the grant tracker workbook.

Developing strategies and setting goals to hit fundraising targets

Donor Relationship Management:

Maintains positive relationships with existing donors and stakeholders

Communicate effectively and eloquently and be up to date on all LTB activities in order to engage donors and potential donors in meaningful conversation.

Implement a donor recognition program to sustain and acknowledge donors and upgrade funding from current partners.

Displays a flexible attitude and be able to adapt and change strategies to meet the needs of the organization and its donors.

Works closing with the Gift Processing Coordinator to ensure the LTB's donor database is kept up to date, contact notes are consistently maintained, that donors receive timely acknowledgements, and gifts are properly coded to ensure accurate reporting.

Performance Analysis:

Provides weekly and monthly update reports to the Director/Founder on fundraising successes and goal achievement.

Stays current with non-profit fundraising best practices and develops a good working

knowledge of LTB's development and gift processing policies and procedures.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Handle information of a highly confidential and sensitive nature appropriately.

Display deep understanding of Lions Tigers & Bears' mission, and be prepared to

share information to strengthen awareness of animal welfare issues and the organization's mission.

Interact with donors and other audiences as requested, ensuring positive experiences.

Participate in meetings and special events (requires evening and weekend work).

Participate in organizational strategic planning, and develop annual budgets (income and expenses) for each activity within LDO area of responsibility.

Provides backup administrative support as needed, such as - answer telephones, screen and route visitors and callers, maintain administrative files, coordinate mailings and data requests, order office supplies, etc.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Working with staff, develops written policies and procedures for each area that reports to the LDO.
Update policies and procedures as needed.

The LDO is on site for all special events as the key staff member overseeing the event.

Becomes familiar with and competent in utilizing LTB development software programs and analysis tools in order to manage budget and maximize fundraising income.

Ensure that LTB's website is accurate with up-to-date information.

Coordinate with any outside contractors for social media, fundraising/grant writing, website maintenance, and others as assigned.

Volunteer Services:

Works closely with the Volunteer Coordinator and LTB staff and volunteers to ensure that volunteers are being recruited as needed for all events, trained, properly managed, and are recognized and appreciated for their important contributions

Working with Volunteer Coordinator, creates and updates volunteer job descriptions for each fundraising event

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree, or a combination of relevant education and experience

3-5 years of fundraising experience with non-profit organization.