Director of Development

HOW TO APPLY: Send Cover Letter and Resume to [email protected] by October 7, 2024

Organizational Summary
Bridging, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization primarily serving the Twin Cities Metro Area,
empowers people to thrive in their homes by providing quality furniture and household
goods for those pursuing housing stability. Bridging gives hope – and for many – a leap
toward stability for the first time. With current locations in Roseville and Bloomington,
Bridging is driven by volunteers and donations of basic home essential items from the
community. Since it’s founding in 1987, Bridging has served more than 115,000
households (300,000+ individuals) and reduces landfill space by ~14 million pounds
each year. 

Bridging is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity; and we encourage
qualified applicants of all racial, ethnic, LGBTQ+ identities and other groups to apply.
We believe that creating an inclusive environment based on respect, trust and service
are integral to how we serve our clients, support our team and achieve our mission.
Read our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement (DEIB) here.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: THE OPPORTUNITY
The Director of Development is responsible for overseeing Bridging’s Fundraising and
Marketing & Communications strategies and execution, managing the Development and
Marketing & Communications staff and overseeing the budget and goal achievement in
related areas. This position works closely with the Executive Director and Board of
Directors. This position reports to the Executive Director and serves as a member of the
Bridging Leadership Team. Direct reports include Development Manager and Marketing
Manager. Additional Department Team Members include: Donor Database
Administrator, Development Associate, contract Grant Writer and PT Communications
Coordinator. This position has a specialty focus on Major Donor Stewardship,
Prospecting, Cultivation and Growth; including Planned Giving and any future
Capital/Special Campaign fundraising.

Development Department Lead

• Establish annual contributions (fundraising) goals and budget in partnership with
the Executive Director and Director of Finance and Business Services. Current
annual fundraising goal is ~$3M.
• Develop and work multi-year strategic fundraising growth plans.
• With Development Manager, establish annual fundraising strategies; and
oversee the plan and budget to support the initiatives and achieve the annual
goals.
• Oversee annual Development and Communications Collaboration Matrices
(managed by Development Manager and Marketing Manager).
• Lead the bi-monthly Development Team Meetings.
• Oversee the Marketing Manager and Communications Coordinator in managing
and executing all Bridging’s internal and external marketing and
communications/storytelling needs.
• Lead the department & organization through an ongoing learning shift to a culture
of Community Centric Fundraising.

Major Donor and Planned Giving Cultivation/Prospecting
• Identify new and cultivate existing major donors.
• Oversee annual and ongoing donor surveys.
• Lead Planned Giving strategy (in conjunction with Executive Director).
• Lead any future capital/special campaign planning and fundraising (in
conjunction with Executive Director).

Strategic Sponsorships
• Identify new sponsors in partnership with the Development Manager and Director
of Strategic Partnerships.
• Develop a year-long, organizational sponsorship program in partnership with the
Director of Strategic Partnerships.
Foundation Relationships
• Oversee the grants process: in partnership with Contract Grant Writer and
Development Manager, oversee the preparation and submission and reporting
for all annual grants, as well as prospecting for new grant sources.
• Meet with ongoing Foundation funders, and new prospects.
• In collaboration with other departments, develop grant-funded projects and
budgets.

Board of Directors
• Co-Manage and direct the work of the External Relations Committee with the
Director of Strategic Partnerships.
• Act as the staff liaison for Board engagement in Development.

Other
• Active supervision of two direct reports – Development Manager and Marketing
Manager.
• Public speaking and representing the organization at community events.
• Regular updates to Standard Operating Procedures under this role’s purview.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy and gratitude within the organization.
• Share Bridging messaging on personal networking and social channels.
• Work across functional areas and with colleagues to maintain strong
organizational culture.
• Act as a role model for leadership in the organization.
• Any other duty deemed necessary by the Executive Director and/or Board of
Directors to fulfill your role and/or needed by the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Understanding of belief in and commitment to Bridging’s vison and model.
• Seven+ years leading and implementing successful fundraising strategies and
initiatives ($2M+); with consistent achievement of goals and year over year
growth/increased results.
• Five+ years in Organization Leadership Role and Department Management.
• Three+ years’ experience strategically managing a major gifts portfolio ($5,000+);
prospecting, qualifying, cultivating, tracking activities.
• Mission and values-driven with a strong commitment to diversity, equity,
inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
• Prioritizes relationship-building above all else and has exceptional interpersonal
skills.
• Strong knowledge of the Twin Cities philanthropic environment, a connector and
an asker.
• Good sense of accountability, strong dependability, and impeccable integrity.
• Enthusiastic self-starter operating with sustained energy and showing great
initiative.
• Detail-oriented and proactive approach to managing time-sensitive and
competing workloads – skilled in prioritizing and time management.
• A quintessential team player with a willingness to support colleagues outside of
one’s primary responsibilities.
• Emotionally intelligent and self-aware, including the ability to both ask for/receive
and offer assistance or leadership when and where needed.
• Comfortable with and enjoys cross-team collaboration.
• Seasoned project manager.
• Open to and appreciative of feedback, responsive to direction and coaching.
• Excellent communication skills with established competency in writing, public
speaking and interpersonal communication.
• Tremendous skills in identifying, developing and maintaining positive
relationships with a diverse group of constituents.
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office products, particularly Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Donor database proficiency; Raiser’s Edge NXT preferred.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Along with meeting the career requirements and job specifications, there are some
critical success factors that will enable the ideal candidate to be successful in this role.

They are as follows:
• Growth Mindset: Be able to step into a situation and create opportunities for
growth, leveraging existing resources and assets, with a desire for continuous
improvement.
• Flexibility: Comfortable with gray areas, change, and flexibility.
• Decisive: Confident with project ownership and decision-making, but
eager/curious for other input/ideas.
• Ideation: Value the ideation process, for the continued growth and improvement
of the Development Team and organization overall.
• Stewardship: Understands the limitations of financial, time and people resources
and maximizes the Return on Investment of all actions and decisions.
• Cultural Humility/DEIB Leadership: Enter intercultural relationships with
humility, prepared to listen, learn, follow their lead, and adapt our methods and
practices to achieve mutual benefit. Create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive
environment based on respect, trust, and service.
• People Focused: Prioritize the experience and needs of all of our constituents.
• Driven Leader: Committed to quality work; continuously looking for ways to
improve own work and the work of the organization. Efficient time manager and
ability to prioritize workloads. Strong organizational and decision-making ability.
Comfortable in an up-tempo, fast-paced work environment.
• Team Management: Promote a positive work environment through on-site
availability, regular communication and staff meetings/check-ins. Manage the
performance of staff and motivate and develop your team. Maintain a positive
rapport with others to achieve annual goals.

HOW TO APPLY: Send Cover Letter and Resume to [email protected] by October 7, 2024