Director of Development

About Us

City Year is a trailblazing, youth-powered organization working to create conditions that enable young people to reach their full potential, build leadership skills, and contribute to vibrant communities. Research shows the more time a student spends with a City Year AmeriCorps member serving as a student success coach, the better the student outcomes—academically, interpersonally and in terms of attendance. A public-private partnership, City Year is a proud member of AmeriCorps, operating in 29 U.S. cities with international affiliates in the U.K. and South Africa. Today, 40,000 alums continue to lead and serve where they live and work.

About the Role

Since its founding, City Year has relied on its corporate, foundation and individual partners to create meaningful social change, leveraging both private and public investors. With a wide range of support from some of Kansas City’s philanthropic leaders, City Year Kansas City has a strong fundraising track record. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development manages the implementation of the fundraising and local external relations strategy for City Year Kansas City, including the management of the annual gala.

A specific emphasis is placed on managing and building relationships with philanthropic corporations and foundations, high-net-worth individuals, other local businesses, and media outlets to maximize financial resources and brand awareness opportunities, helping City Year Kansas City achieve its revenue and marketing objectives. Support for these efforts comes from leveraging the leadership of City Year Headquarters, the local advisory board, and other champions of the organization.

The Development Director will manage the Development Events & Operations Manager and be responsible for ensuring the site meets its private revenue goal of $1.6 million, helping the organization meet its annual budget of approximately $3.2 million. This position is primarily in-person, with potential for some remote work.

Responsibilities

• Develop City Year Kansas City’s short and long term fundraising strategy, alongside Executive Director and in partnership with the Development Team.
• Work closely with the Executive Director to develop a plan to implement the strategy of donor cultivation & engagement across sectors: private, government and education (state policy and local government).
• Add development capacities to execute against City Year’s multi-year site plan.
• Manage & Develop Team of Development Professionals: Supervise one additional team member (Events & Communications Manager) and collaborate with other supporting staff members assisting with Development duties. Support and develop the professional growth of the Events & Communications Manager.
• Oversee the implementation of localized marketing strategies and tactics to increase City Year Kansas City’s overall brand awareness and ability to recruit 18 to 25-year-olds to serve as City Year AmeriCorps members.
• Serve as representative of City Year within the Kansas City community, attending events on a frequent basis.
• Serve as staff point for media relations, helping to acquire publicity for City Year Kansas City.
• Oversee the implementation of City Year Kansas City’s corporate sponsorship program, as well as the grant proposal and reporting process for corporate, foundation, and government donors.
• Strategize with the Executive Director and Development team to identify and cultivate new corporate and foundation partnerships.
• Refine City Year’s high-net-worth individual giving circle with innovative strategies to increase individual major gifts of $10,000+ and promote overall donor participation.
• In collaboration with Executive Director and Development team, identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of current and future major donors.
• Manage special events to raise awareness of City Year; fundraise and engage individuals, foundations, and corporations as champions and donors. Events include but are not limited to: City Year Kansas City’s Annual Idealist Gala, Specialty Market Events, Opening Day, Graduation, and Private Receptions.
• Develop successful identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies to direct and monitor the progress of donor relationships.
• Oversee the alignment of City Year’s mission/values with actions and community impact of donors. Ensure diversity and sustainability of site donor base.
• Identify major donors' philanthropic interests and provide them with opportunities to deepen their connection to City Year’s values/mission.
• Lead quarterly fundraising discussions and updates for City Year’s Advisory Board Meetings. Support Executive Director’s stewardship of Advisory Board Members, helping to ensure Board retention, satisfaction, and 100% Board giving.
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, help shape organizational strategy and serve in leadership role in developing and implementing City Year Kansas City’s local operating plan and Site Advancement Plan.
• Through the representation and modeling of City Year values, help to promote a human-centric culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
• Work collaboratively with other site departments and City Year Headquarters on a frequent basis.
• Manage the Development Department budget, detailing department revenue and expenses.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of records and donor information in the salesforce database.

Requirements

• 5-8 years of progressive fundraising/development experience with proven fundraising track record that includes multi-year giving. Comparable experience will be considered.
• Experience leading a large-scale annual fundraising event.
• Proven relationship manager who can recognize the importance of outreach and partnerships for advancing the organizational mission.
• Self-starter with strong initiative, while maintaining a willingness to work in a collaborative and team-based organization.
• Solid, persuasive writing & communication skills.
• Passion for education and youth development.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of young adults in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Kansas City donor community preferred.
• Grant writing experience preferred.
• City Year/AmeriCorps experience is a plus.

Skills

• Collaboration: Connects with stakeholders to identify shared interests; partners with others to incorporate different perspectives toward a common goal.
• Accountability: Holds self responsible for actions and their impact on team, goals, and organizational mission.
• Flexibility: Changes course quickly and thoughtfully when faced with new or unanticipated circumstances.
• Project Management: Organizes, prioritizes, tracks, and manages workflow and resources.
• Strategic Thinking: Identifies multiple pathways to address complex and nebulous problems; anticipates barriers and opportunities; develops plans to address them.
• Managing Performance: Assigns, tracks, and prioritizes work to ensure high-quality outputs; inspires committed and positive action toward organizational goals.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods and occasionally stand or walk.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, and handling office equipment.
• Visual acuity to read screens and printed materials.
• Hearing ability to participate in conversations and respond to phone calls.
• Occasional lifting or carrying of items up to 10–20 lbs. (e.g., office / event supplies).
• Ability to communicate clearly in person, by phone, and in writing.

Working Conditions

• Operates in a professional office setting using standard office equipment.
• Will require some travel to partner schools, donor meetings, event walk-throughs, etc.
• Typical schedule: 9:00-5:00, with occasional extended days for events.
• Requires a valid driver’s license for travel as part of job duties.
• Must have reliable internet access for remote or flexible work arrangements, if they arise.

Pay

Full-time employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with experience with the starting salary range between $79,000 and $83,000 annually.

Benefits

• Health insurance with Flexible Spending Account.
• Paid vacation, holidays, parental leave.
• 401K and more.

City Year offers a comprehensive benefits package that helps our employees live their best lives and grow personally and professionally.