Director of Philanthropy

Director of Philanthropy

Reports to: EVP for Involvement

Job Summary

Thread’s Director of Philanthropy is responsible for the successful management and implementation of short and long-term fundraising strategies. Emphasis will be on generating new support from individuals, public grants, foundations and corporate giving.  The Director will frequently interact and collaborate with community leaders, local and national foundations, corporate and individual donors, Board Members, and the Thread leadership and Involvement teams.  The Director will grow and maintain a portfolio of donors and prospects, including government sources, for Thread program support and will have a passion for ending social isolation and building a more equitable Baltimore where everyone can thrive.

Key Goals & Responsibilities

Leadership & Management 

• Authentically engage in relationships with colleagues, especially across lines of difference, modeling, teaching and coaching the Thread Core Competencies: (a) Show all the way up; (b) Fail forward; (c) Treat relationships as wealth; and (d) Learn from all voices.

• The Director is an advisor on strategic team priorities and initiatives, making regular recommendations to the Lane Lead and Leadership team. 

• Share your journey of personal and professional growth with young people, volunteers, collaborators and staff.

• Make the connection between driving towards outcomes and organizational imperatives and diversity, equity and inclusion explicit within the organization.

• Demonstrate the willingness and resilience to engage in an agile and flexible way.

• Coach team members with primary responsibilities within the philanthropy team.

• Develop and retain high-performing team members by building trusting relationships that allow for exchanges of direct feedback and extend opportunities for professional growth.

• Instill a sense of accountability among team members towards collective and individual outcomes.

• Engender and promote a culture of mutual respect and restoration and healing.

• Acknowledge in words and behavior that each individual and role brings a unique vantage point and support team members in leveraging that unique vantage point to gain greater visibility that leads to shared understanding and optimized and iterative problem-solving. 

• Ensure data derived from the implementation of lane-specific programs and initiatives, are reported to the staff at large and utilized to guide decision-making.

Philanthropy

• In collaboration with the CEO, EVP of Involvement, and other senior staff, establish and implement the organization's annual and long-term fundraising plan (5+ years forward), setting and reaching appropriate financial goals to meet the rapidly growing needs of this nationally acclaimed program.

• Help identify public and private funding opportunities from new and diverse sources beyond Thread’s traditional donor base.

• Manage a personal portfolio of leadership prospects and donors to ensure that timely steps are taken toward solicitation, closure, and stewardship.

• Work collaboratively with the CEO and the EVP of Involvement while supervising other philanthropy team members in the areas of grant writing, prospect research, corporate/foundation proposal preparation, direct mail, and database management.

• Identify, recruit and develop an expanded circle of staff, Board and volunteer leadership to achieve campaign success. 

• Represent Thread at appropriate civic and cultural events and attend conferences as approved.

• Establish a high level of cooperation and partnership with Thread team members to develop initiatives and grow the organization’s portfolio

• Leverage Thread staff, programming, and success metrics to inspire donor enthusiasm and support.

• Participate as an essential and collaborative member of the Thread team.

Qualifications and Skills

• A Bachelor’s Degree or 8 years of equivalent experience.

• A minimum of 8 years of successful, hands-on experience in the management of development programs, encompassing direct solicitation of major gifts, demonstrated ability to identify, recruit, engage, motivate and support volunteer solicitors to successfully cultivate and close major individual and corporate/foundation gift solicitations.

• A passion for raising funds that will transform the lives of Baltimore City residents.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a keen ability to share Thread's story and impact in a deeply compelling way.

• Success in building or significantly expanding one or more large-scale annual funds, major gift, capital or planned gift campaigns.

• Experience directing all aspects of a donor relationship program – cultivation, stewardship, events, and gift management.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

• Proficiencies with technology, and willingness to adapt to new technologies; Google Suite, Trello, Salesforce preferred.

• Ability to organize, manage, and complete complex tasks while prioritizing multiple assignments and deliver on a timely basis.

• Discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information.

• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends.

Thread Employment Benefits (Full-time)

• 12 weeks of Paid parental leave
• Competitive salaries, meaningful equity; 403(b) plan
• 100% employee coverage of Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 10 Paid holidays
• 4 weeks of PTO in year 1, increase to 5 weeks in year 2
• 5 days of sick and safe leave
• 3 floater holidays
• Annual Health and Wellness reimbursement
• Access to counseling/therapy at no cost
• Paid Sabbatical after 6 years of employment