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Chief Philanthropy Officer

The Chief Philanthropy Officer leads Lifeline’s philanthropy and community engagement with the goal of expanding Lifeline’s capacity to achieve its mission through community support. With five sites across San Diego county communities, the right candidate will be pivotal in shaping the future of Lifeline.  You must be passionate about the power of our mission and vision and its pivotal role in building self-reliance among youth, adults, and families.  You must be entrepreneurial and flexible with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and opportunities.  Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Philanthropy Officer will be responsible for organizational growth, board development, private philanthropy, volunteer engagement and communication and events. 

Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer and in collaboration with program staff and the community engagement team and volunteers, the Chief Philanthropy Officer is responsible for focusing on the identification cultivation, solicitations and stewardship of individual, foundation, corporate prospects and donors.  You will be critical to the sustainability and growth of with the goal of expanding Lifeline’s capacity to achieve its mission through community support.

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Specific Activities
Organizational Growth & Board Development
  • Create Board-driven philanthropic strategies and incorporate these fundraising, volunteer, and Communications activities throughout the organization, strengthening Lifeline’s mission and brand.
  • Lead the Community Engagement department with the goal of increasing unrestricted private revenue and raising funds for program expansion.
  • Drive organizational growth as a member of Lifeline’s Executive Team through collaborative strategic planning, budgeting, internal capacity building, and organizational problem-solving.  
  • Work directly with Lifeline program leaders and staff to identify funding and volunteer opportunities with the organization that will maximize support for Lifeline’s mission and strategic growth areas.
  • Train staff and Board in fundraising, volunteerism and marketing efforts, including the Board of Directors, Director Team, Management team, administrative team, and line staff in key program areas of focus for fundraising.
  • Staff the Board Development Committee, attend Board meetings and provide Community Engagement reports for committees and Board.
  • Actively seek leadership roles in the community to promote Lifeline’s mission.
 
Private Philanthropy & Fund Development
  • Develop annual fundraising goals, budgets, and strategies for annual fund, major gift and special campaigns in collaboration with the Executive Team and Board of Directors.
  • Lead and supervise the Development, Communications, Events and Volunteer team
  • Develop and oversee the development of Lifeline’s annual fundraising plan, including unrestricted and restricted fund development goals, based on long-term fundraising strategy.
  • Implement a donor-centered annual fundraising program that includes individual and major gifts, planned giving, corporate sponsorship, foundation funding, events, and donation drives.
  • Identify, research, and qualify individual and institutional prospects.
  • Solicit donors for unrestricted mission support, program support, and to fund special projects or campaigns.
  • Design and implement cultivation and stewardship opportunities to support long-term philanthropy.
  • Design and oversee Lifeline’s gift processing policies and procedures. Work with the Fiscal Department, the Administrative team, and Management Team to ensure smooth movement of donations through the organization.
  • Recruit and train volunteers in comprehensive fundraising activities (Board, corporate sponsorships, major gifts and community) to make effective gift approaches. Plan and direct the contact of potential donors with direct appeals for gifts and manage the solicitation team.
 
 
 
Volunteer Program
  • Lead and support the Volunteer team, managed by the Volunteer Program Manager.
  • Advance Lifeline’s volunteer program through opportunities for service learning and training.
  • Evaluate and develop volunteer opportunities as a core strategic function to achieving Lifeline’s mission.
  • Increase retention through volunteer stewardship and recognition activities.
  • Engage volunteers in fundraising and marketing.
  • Collaborate with internal staff teams (Executive Team, Director Team, Management Team) to integrate the Volunteer Program throughout Lifeline. 
 
Communications & Events
  • Alongside the Executive Team and Board of Directors, develop and implement Lifeline’s marketing goals, including communications, press coverage, and public relations strategies.
  • Establish key messages and work with staff, Board, and volunteers to implement messaging
  • Manage the Lifeline brand to ensure a consistent and quality image in the community.
  • Oversee the creation of collateral and printed materials including Annual Report and brochures to support Lifeline’s brand and fundraising priorities.
  • Drive content on the Lifeline website and other key online platforms.
  • Develop Lifeline’s social media program.
  • Expand communications and events strategies as the Community Engagement team grows.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements
  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree with a combination of education and experience in multiple fundraising strategies.
  • Experience and proven fundraising track record in a comprehensive shop that includes annual giving, foundation and corporate, planned giving and donor stewardship.
  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience in fund development and staff management, preferably in a mission driven non-profit setting.
  • Public relations and marketing expertise.
  • Must be able to write inspirational proposals and presenting the philanthropic case for donors.
  • Experience with fundraising software programs and proficiency with prospect research tools.
  • Must be personable, articulate and be skilled in asking for donations.
  • Understanding of complex gift planning vehicles and strategies, as well as command of current fundraising regulations and practices.
  • Experience identifying, developing and working with volunteers is important.
  • Demonstrated “self-starter” with a “roll-up your sleeves” approach.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:  
  • Ability to plan, organize and direct fundraising organizational activities.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and manage budgets and control expenses.
  • Excellent management skills and ability.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Possesses advanced knowledge that is primarily intellectual in character and includes exercising discretion and independent judgment
  • Establish and maintains effective working relationships while showing open mindedness and a collaborative spirit. Compatibility with agency purpose, goals, philosophy, and approach.
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm and passion for their work.
  •  Utilizes a creative approach to problem solving. Interactions with others reflect a spirit of honesty, humbleness, and self-awareness.
  • Accepts constructive criticism with a positive attitude and willingness to implement change.
  • Ability to work well independently and demonstrate appropriate initiative.
  • Must demonstrate knowledge of trauma Informed, client driven, and culturally competent care. 
Other Requirements
Reliable transportation. Must have a California driver license and good driving record. Willing to use own, properly insured, reliable vehicle for the job (mileage reimbursed). Employment subject to clearances, including background finger printing checks, driving record, tuberculosis testing, and drug testing.
 
Compensation and Benefits
Your well-being matters at Lifeline Community Services!
  • Paid vacation
  • Paid sick time
  • Paid holidays (14 days)
  • Exceptional medical, dental, vision, chiropractic and acupuncture coverage
  • Free health and wellness programs
  • Free Life Insurance
  • Employee Assistance program
  • Great employee incentive award programs
  • Training and education assistance
  • Matched 403b retirement plan
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Menu of optional benefits, including short term disability, critical illness, accident, hospitalization and cancer policy
 
This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary negotiable based on experience and demonstrated past success in private fund development. Differential pay offered for bilingual skills. EEO.
 
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
 
 
Work Schedule
Position requires work in the community and in a professional office setting. Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evening and weekends. Incumbent may be required to travel within and out of City to attend meetings, and may need to use personal vehicle in the course of employment.
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