About William Way LGBT Center The William Way LGBT Community Center (WWCC) has served the LGBTQIA+ community of Philadelphia and its allies since 1975. From social groups, networking events, and counseling and support services to art exhibitions and cultural experiences, the Center consistently strives to provide new and innovative programs for the LGBTQIA+ communities throughout Greater Philadelphia. Mission The William Way LGBT Community Center seeks to engage and support the diverse LGBTQIA+ communities in the Greater Philadelphia area through arts & culture, empowerment, and community connections. Vision We want all LGBTQIA+ people to feel safe, connected, and empowered. We strive to be a community center whose staff, management, and board reflect the vibrant and richly diverse communities we serve.
Strategic Priorities and the Build the Way Capital Campaign
Every member of the community is welcomed to the Center, because every single person within our community is William Way’s greatest asset. For almost 50 years, WWCC has been a resource and hub for the LGBTQ+ community and we are proud to have served and continue in that role. WWCC opens its doors for visitors and friends to forge alliances, share confidences, engage in new activities, and learn something new about our proud culture and history. The amenities of the Center include a 14,000-volume lending library, a world-class LGBT history archives, a public art and exhibition space, a brand-new cyber center and multiple community meeting spaces. WWCC is embarking on a daring and visionary project to transform and rebuild our existing community center into a more expansive, inclusive, colorful, and unabashedly queer space for all LGBTQIA+ individuals to gath-er, celebrate, learn, and find life-giving support. We are undertaking this historic effort by partnering with a diverse cross-section of community leaders, stakeholders, funders, WWCC members and more. Approximately $13.5M has been raised as part of the Build the Way Capital Campaign, with a goal of securing $27M.
Position Overview:
An Opportunity To Create Chief Development Officer (CDO) oversees the evaluation, execution, strategy, and expansion of the William Way LGBT Community Center’s comprehensive development and communications program. Reporting to the Executive Director, the CDO is a key leader and a member of the senior leadership team supporting the development and capital campaign committees of the Board of Directors, and managing a team of five individuals with the opportunity to grow the team. The CDO is responsible for leading all fund development, marketing, and communication activities to ensure the successful operations and fulfillment of WWCC’s strategic programmatic goals and initiatives. As part of the strategy, the CDO will set, monitor, evaluate and report on goals for revenue and sustainable growth including capital, planned, and operations gifts of six and seven figures. This CDO guides new relationship cultivation and nurture an existing portfolio and will steward both new and returning government, foundation, and other funding sources including events. The CDO also sets the strategic direction for WWCC’s fundraising and communications. The CDO works closely with the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for ensuring all annual fundraising and communications goals are met. In addition, the CDO will collaborate with other members of the management team, especially in finance and programs, to ensure open dialogue and effective reporting. The CDO stays informed about trends in philanthropy, fund development, and nonprofit management and will provide counsel to the ED, Development & Capital Campaign committees and the Board of Directors to facilitate policy making and recommend policy positions. The CDO will ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and laws, maintain accountability standards for donors, and adhere to codes of ethical principles and standards of professional conduct for fundraising executives. Our next CDO will create and support a rewarding work environment for staff and volunteers to raise the stability and sustainability of the development function. Our next CDO will also be familiar with all aspects of the Center’s programs and client base to help identify and pursue new funding and marketing opportunities.
Major Priority Objectives (First 24 months)
Early in their tenure, the Chief Development Officer will achieve the following major objectives while elevating the department’s infrastructure and processes:
• Establish a strong relationship and partnership with the Executive Director (ED) to collaborate on setting strategy for the development and communications team, evaluate portfolios, and cultivate top donors and prospects.
2• Support the work of the Build the Way Capital Campaign Committee.
• Working with the ED, develop comprehensive fundraising and communications plans aligned with WWCC’s strategic plan and capital campaign.
• Working with the ED and COO, craft an implementation strategy to align operations, programmatic, planned giving, and capital campaign goals.
• Develop a strong case statement for both the Center and the Capital Campaign. • Engage and evaluate all third-party contractors related to fundraising, marketing, website maintenance, and communications.
Responsibilities
The Chief Development Officer will develop, implement, and evaluate the organization’s fundraising plan, strategy, and goals with the following responsibilities:
• Manage and lead development department staff, identify staff training needs, and conduct performance reviews.
• Collaborate individually and collectively to meet annual revenue and other departmental objectives.
• Attend board meetings and lead board participation in organizational resource development, media, marketing, and communications in concert with the ED.
• Solicit and secure contributions from a diverse portfolio of corporations, foundations, government bodies, and individuals.
• Implement systems and structures to maximize philanthropic revenue from all sources; develop a plan to support implementation of a planned giving program.
• Develop high-level solicitation strategies with the ED, Board, and key relationship managers; provide oversight and review for proposals and solicitation materials; coordinate fundraisingactivities to ensure consistency.
• Formalize the relationship management process from identification through stewardship to increase donor retention and renewal rates and develop comprehensive donor recognition programs.
• Provide oversight and guidance for development operations, prospect research, and donor engagement functions including special events, cause marketing campaigns, and accurate and timely record keeping.
• Develop and manage the annual fundraising and communications budget in partnership with the COO; work closely with the operations team to forecast annual revenue goals, direct monthly revenue reconciliation, and manage donor reports to maintain accuracy and financial accountability.
Qualifications
Strong CDO candidates bring most of the following skill sets, qualifications, and experience:
• Deep belief in the mission, vision, and values of the William Way LGBT Community Center and an authentic understanding of and sensitivity to the issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Exceptional capacity for managing and leading a plan; a team player experienced in scaling up fundraising activities.
• Comfort and knowledge utilizing Google applications, Salesforce (or comparable CRM), MailChimp (or similar email system), donor portals, Adobe Suite, web (WordPress or similar) and social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
• Experience in setting and executing goals, creating accountability, and providing leadership for fundraising campaigns.
• Ability to think strategically, anticipate future trends, and incorporate them into a long-term plan.
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience is required. • A minimum of 7 years of comprehensive fundraising and communications experience with prior experience guiding strategy and leading a team of development professionals.
As a small organization operating in a very dynamic environment, flexibility and teamwork is required. Employees are expected to work collaboratively to ensure WWCC’s success. Some remote work is possible with the expectation of working on-site three days per week. The CDO will work with the senior leadership team to establish an in-person/remote workforce policy for both the Development & Communications team and the entire organization.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, exempt position. Annual salary: $110,000 – $120,000 (performance bonus available) Benefits include: health and dental insurance, paid time off, 401K options, flexible health spending account, flexible work schedule and relaxed work environment. Typical hours are Mon-Fri from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., but some evenings and weekends are anticipated for meetings and events. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement/Policy WWCC is fully committed to the principles of equal opportunity employment and treats all employees and applicants without discrimination as to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, familial or marital status, personal appearance, height, weight, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability (if otherwise qualified with or without accommodation), HIV status, gender identity or expression, veterans status, known association with a disabled individual, possession of a diploma based on passing a general education development test, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy extends to, but is not limited to, recruitment, selection, compensation, benefits, promotion, training, and termination. All employees have the right to work in an environment free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
To submit an application, please send your cover letter and resume to CDO@waygay.org no later than October 3, 2024. The Chief Development Officer search team is reviewing applications on a rolling basis.