Purpose
The Director of Development develops and implements the fundraising strategy for the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s (KGF).
This passionate leader is responsible for identifying and securing financial support from major donors, as well as building a broad, active base of financial supporters. This role will lead the Foundation’s fundraising activities, including the funding required to support the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness.
The role reports to the Chief Executive Officer while working closely with the Founders and Board to execute the Foundation’s strategic plan. The Director of Development is required to be highly effective, strategic, innovative, disciplined and a team player.
As a member of the leadership team, the Director is a cultural leader both internally and externally, consistently operating according to the values of the Foundation.
Responsibilities
The role leads a multi-channel fundraising system to grow the Foundation’s fundraising program in four key areas.
Major Gifts
• Steward existing major gift donors and strengthen their relationship to KGF.
• Identify and cultivate new major gift prospects in two key categories:
o Current low-dollar donors with additional capacity to give to KGF.
o New donors with a connection to Kirk, the KGF Board, or the Parkinson’s community
• Working with the Board, establish, manage and support a Campaign committee to raise funds for the Kirk Gibson Center:
o Minimum of $7M over the next two years
• Develop and execute continuous fundraising strategies to support the sustainability of the Center.
• Identify ways to bring the mission of KGF to donors in a tangible, meaningful way.
• Identify gift opportunities that can be customized for individual donor proposals.
• Cultivate donor relationships in Los Angeles.
Annual Giving
• Create an active and loyal base of donors who give to KGF year after year.
• Develop and execute a mail and email solicitation plan.
• Develop and execute a mail and email stewardship plan, with particular emphasis on demonstrating KGF’s impact in the Parkinson’s community.
• Maintain a strong gift acknowledgement process.
• Increase the dollar amount of KGF’s average annual gift.
• Steward and grow KGF’s monthly recurring donor pool.
Non-Cash Giving
• Educate donor base about non-cash giving through consistent email messaging.
• Develop and execute an acknowledgement and stewardship strategy for non-cash donors.
• Incorporate non-cash giving vehicles into individual major gift conversations.
Corporate Giving
• Develop and execute a corporate partner program for KGF, including defined partner benefits.
• Identify and cultivate potential corporate partners.
• Cultivate long-term relationships with partners to retain support year after year.
In addition, the Director of Development is responsible for coordinating fundraising efforts within the Foundation.
This includes:
• Supports the Board and executive team in all fundraising activities.
• Leads the Center's fundraising strategy.
• Works closely with the communications team to deliver targeted and multi-channel communications to achieve fundraising goals.
• Shares knowledge regarding fundraising best-practices.
• Suggests strategic initiatives that benefit overall fundraising strategy, including technology platforms and tools.
• Leads the utilization of the CRM as the way all activities are recorded and to measure progress to goals.
Key Performance Indicators
• Foundation dollars raised per year as follows:(2024)
- $1.2 million total raised
- Annual gifts - $150,000
- Major and non-cash gifts - $950,000
- Corporate gifts - $100,000
- Center fundraising – Minimum of $7M over the next two years
- Increase donor retention rate to 45%
- Increase the total donor base by a rate of 20% per annum.
