Director of Advancement
Regional Parks Foundation · Oakland City, IN · 4 days ago
$175k/yrFull-time
Position Overview
The Regional Parks Foundation seeks a highly versatile and entrepreneurial Director of Advancement to lead and build the organization’s fundraising and advancement function during a pivotal period of transition and growth.
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Advancement Leadership & Organizational Growth
- Create and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy that grows annual and long-term philanthropic support.
- Serve as a key thought partner to the Executive Director on advancement strategy, organizational growth, and the Foundation’s evolution into an independent nonprofit.
- Work closely with Foundation leadership, the Board of Directors, and District partners during a period of organizational transition.
- Clarify and articulate compelling cases for support so donors clearly understand what their gifts make possible across parks, programs, and communities.
- Build strong cross-functional relationships with Park District leadership and staff to align philanthropic priorities with district needs and opportunities.
- Partner on communications and rebranding efforts to strengthen donor-facing messaging and public identity.
- Ensure advancement practices reflect the Foundation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion across donor engagement, messaging, and partnerships.
Revenue Generation, Donor Engagement & External Relations
- Lead individual giving efforts, including annual giving, mid-level, and major gifts programs.
- Drive prospect identification, qualification, and cultivation strategies to expand the major and mid-level donor pipeline.
- Oversee and redesign the Foundation’s membership program, informed by recent audience research and evolving engagement models.
- Build out a corporate engagement program, including sponsorships and corporate volunteer initiatives.
- Collaborate with an existing grant writer to strengthen foundation and institutional fundraising.
- Represent the Foundation externally with donors, partners, and community stakeholders, serving as an ambassador for the parks and their impact.
- Oversee volunteer engagement programs and donor/community events.
- Explore and help launch earned-revenue opportunities such as park retail and other mission-aligned initiatives.
Advancement Operations, Systems, Marketing/Communications & Team Leadership
- Use Raiser’s Edge to guide the use of constituent data and analytics to support relationship management, portfolio strategy, and long-term revenue growth.
- Ensure systems, processes, and data integrity support organizational fundraising goals, decision-making, and donor stewardship efforts.
- Establish clear advancement policies, procedures, and metrics to professionalize fundraising operations and support long-term sustainability.
- Develop and manage the advancement budget, forecasts, and revenue projections; monitor performance against goals and adjust strategy as needed.
- Manage a small advancement team and oversee consultants and contractors.
- Hire and supervise administrative support for the advancement function.
- Ensure consistent, compelling messaging that supports fundraising, membership, and community engagement goals.
- Guide brand storytelling, digital communications, and campaign messaging to deepen donor connection and elevate the Foundation’s visibility and impact.
Competencies
- Ten or more years of experience of progressively challenging fundraising positions.
- Demonstrated success leading and executing fundraising programs across individual, corporate, and institutional giving.
- Experience building, growing, and evolving membership programs, including reimagining value propositions and engagement models.
- Experience building or significantly evolving development programs within growing or startup-like non-profits.
- Strong analytical and relationship-based fundraising skills, particularly in major gifts.
- Hands-on experience with Raiser’s Edge (strongly preferred); ability to leverage CRM data for segmentation, moves management, and strategy.
- Experience managing small teams and working extensively with consultants and contractors.
- Ability to operate independently, manage complexity, and bring structure to changing environments.
- Excellent communication skills and confidence engaging donors, board members, and senior stakeholders.
- Resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to dive in and help rebuild, strengthen, and professionalize systems.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; demonstrated ability to engage diverse communities and donors.
EQUITY STATEMENT
The Regional Parks Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.