Director of Donor Engagement

About the Organization: It is an exciting time at the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) as we continue to undertake our mission of providing good, nutritious food today and food to enable brighter futures.  We are looking for dynamic individuals who believe strongly in food as a catalyst for improved nutrition, better health outcomes, enhanced educational attainment and greater economic engagement.  We believe that the access and affordability of good quality food can lead to more inclusive participation in the Greater Washington area’s growth. 

The Capital Area Food Bank is the largest organization in the Washington, DC metro area working to solve hunger and its companion problems: chronic under-nutrition, heart disease, and obesity. By partnering with hundreds of community organizations in DC, MD and VA as well as delivering food directly into hard-to-reach areas, CAFB is providing over 60 million meals annually, while helping so many neighbors in our area realize a better and more prosperous tomorrow.

Description: CAFB’s Development Team is tasked with raising over $40M in annual gift revenue each year from individuals, corporations, foundations, and various government jurisdictions. The Director of Donor Engagement is a key member of our robust development team and will be integral in conceptualizing and implementing new opportunities for both current donors and prospects to build their connection to the food bank. The ideal candidate will have an established track record building a suite of engagement opportunities for individual donors and corporations; and have experience engaging and soliciting individual, corporate, and/or foundation for six- and five-figure gifts. This position requires a high level of professionalism, collegiality, creativity, and a strong belief in the food bank’s mission and values. This is an exempt position and reports to the Deputy Chief Development Officer. 

Essential Functions 

Donor Engagement – 50% 

• Conceptualize and implement (in partnership with fundraising colleagues) an annual calendar of donor stewardship and cultivation events, with particular emphasis on high-net-worth individuals and key corporate relationships. Events – both in-person and virtual – may include donor dinners, webinars, small-group gatherings, volunteer events, and other activities that complement and achieve fundraising and donor engagement goals and build donor loyalty and retention.

• Create and act as the primary liaison to a volunteer fundraising committee, coordinating with fundraising colleagues to ensure meaningful participation of committee members.

• Enthusiastically interact with donors and guests in carrying out special events.

• In coordination with development colleagues as appropriate, ensure consistent and accurate communication with current donors and prospects, as well as timely follow up post-engagement opportunity.

• Conduct analysis of engagement opportunities, including (as relevant) revenue data, donor trends, and fundraising KPIs.

• NOTE: Event management duties include, but are not limited to, event planning and budgeting; engaging vendors; obtaining permits; recruiting and coordinating volunteers; guest list management, may occur after office business hours. 

Relationship Management – 25% 

• Build and advance relationships with a portfolio of major gift-level donors through frequent in person, email and phone engagement, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Independently identify, cultivate, and solicit an active portfolio of individual donors and prospects and increase their investment in CAFB’s mission.

• Develop existing and new relationships by being active in the field, frequently meeting with donors and understanding how we can work together towards shared goals.

• Strategically move donors through the pipeline in a systematic, scalable way.

• Support the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts of the CEO, Chief Advancement Officer, and other key food bank staff so that they are properly prepared for each donor interaction. This includes donor profiles, briefing materials, talking points and follow-up.

• Record and pull data using CRM system (currently Salesforce). 

Board Engagement - 15% 

• Support the Chief Advancement Officer and Deputy Chief Development Officer in engaging the CAFB Board of Directors in our fundraising goals, specifically driving Board giving, Board participation in CAFB events, and peer-to-peer fundraising as led by Board members. 

• In collaboration with the CAO and Deputy CDO, thoroughly prepare Board members for any fundraising asks they may make of others. 

• Track all Board commitments to the food bank, inclusive of donations, in-kind support, and volunteering. 

Collaboration - 10% 

• Contribute to the efforts of Food Bank by collaborating across departments toward shared goals. This can include working with programs staff to develop greater understanding for the candidate and potential donors about specific programs, the development of collateral with marketing, or advancing partnerships with strategic initiatives, operations, data analytics, finance, the volunteer team, the CEO’s office and more. 

Requirements: 

• At least 10+ years of experience in fundraising or a closely related area, specifically including donor engagement and major gift philanthropy. 

• Bachelors from an accredited college or university preferred.

• Ability to develop new and existing relationships in support of the food bank.

• Excellent interpersonal skills to relate to donors, volunteers, colleagues, and leadership.

• Experience building and maintaining relationships, successfully renewing and upgrading support year-over-year.

• Superior written and oral communication, negotiating, organizational, analytical, and fundraising skills, including the ability to interpret financial information and manage data.

• Meaningful prior experience with donor database/CRM software is required (Salesforce preferred), as well as excellent proficiency with MS Office, especially Word and Excel. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Self-motivated, innovative, and able to work with considerable independence in a team environment and a network of relationships.

• The desire to be part of a fast-paced, high-energy, and collaborative team of high-performing and mission-driven development professionals.

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple projects and relationships.

• Ability to work well under pressure and prioritize changing workloads to meet tight deadlines. 

• Individual and team contributor with desire to collaborate with staff at all levels. 

Other Skills /Abilities: 

• Strong commitment to social justice and genuine desire to serve the Greater Washington region. 

• High integrity and moral character, supporting the mission, philosophy, policies, and ideals of the Capital Area Food Bank. 

• Team-oriented, and ability to work with a variety of people inside and outside the organization. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Physical activities involve sitting for 80% of the workday. 

• Keyboarding: over 2/3 percent of the time.

• Occasionally lifts office supplies up to 20 pounds. 

• Driving: under 1/3 percent of the time (note, this job requires occasional travel throughout the region to CAFB’s Northern Virginia facility or for events at corporate partner locations).

• Ability to travel to sites, as needed, throughout the metropolitan area. 

Reporting: 

• Reports to the Deputy Chief Development Officer.

Compensation:

• $115,200 - $121,600 annually.

Schedule:  

• Normal business office, with frequent tight deadlines. 

• Position is currently hybrid with expectation of 3 days in the office on average, but there may be times when events require up to 4-5 days a week in the office. 

• Regular work hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5:00pm; occasional nights/weekends to support donor events as required by the duties and responsibilities of the position. 

• Work may take place in the food bank’s warehouse distribution center, or at community organizations. 

• Travel to CAFB’s facility in Northern Virginia may be required once or twice a month. 

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  

We Offer: At Capital Area Food Bank, we understand that great people make a great organization. We value our people and offer employees a broad range of benefits including competitive compensation and benefits, free onsite parking, complimentary shuttle to metro, professional development, growth, and volunteer opportunities, fun work in a diverse environment.

Application Process: 

• Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  

EOE Statement:    
Capital Area Food Bank welcomes and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and for all our employees. CAFB makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, reproductive health decision making or any other characteristic protected by law. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at CAFB. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.