Executive Search for the Director of Development Habitat for Humanity of Orange County February 2017 1
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County Position Description: Director of Development http://orangehabitat.org/ Applications will be accepted until March 24, 2017or until position is filled Organization Habitat for Humanity of Orange County (HHOC) is solid like the houses it builds. With integrity, creativity and a clear and powerful belief that everyone in Orange County deserves a decent place to live, it is continually adapting to meet a need for more affordable housing. It is seeking a Director of Development with a passion for its work, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a successful track record of leading and managing fundraising programs. Since 1984, HHOC has built 264 houses and another 183 homes overseas. In 2016, the NC Housing Finance Agency recognized it with an Excellence in Affordable Housing award. The need for more affordable housing options has never been greater. The average home in Orange County costs more than $300,000 (HHOC builds them for less than $80,000); rent for a two-bedroom apartment, if you can find one, is $800 or more per month, and the availability of federally-supported Section 8 housing is in rapid decline. The lack of affordable land close to the county s largest employers, UNC and the medical center, is an on-going challenge. The Habitat model of sweat equity and zero-interest mortgages has been social enterprise in action before the term became popular, and the model still works. HHOC has expanded beyond the model to serve more families with its innovative Brush with Kindness program which has helped to keep 87 families in their own homes with light repair and rehabilitation services and is now looking to expand the program with a greater range of services. While Orange County has become a mecca for well-off retirees, HHOC is meeting a need for affordable housing options for seniors 55 years and older with the new 24- unit Waterstone community in Hillsborough. It is currently on-track to build nine new homes and repair 25 in the historically African-American Northside neighborhood in Chapel Hill. HHOC has also been on the leading edge of building energy efficient homes. HHOC is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical Christian organization that excels at attracting people of all faiths and the secular community to work together. Collaboration and inclusion permeate HHOC s culture and is a key ingredient in its success. HHOC is known locally for its collaborations with student groups and the medical center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and for its very successful WomenBuild and CEOBuild projects. HHOC and Durham Habitat created one local ReStore operation, splitting the profits to both organizations. As the demographics of Orange County have changed so have HHOC homeowners including Hispanic and Karen (Burmese) families. HHOC works very closely with the other local and statewide affordable housing organizations and played a leadership role in securing the passage in 2016 of a $5 million affordable housing bond referendum for Orange County. Today, HHOC employs 18 people and is overseen by a 17-member Board of Directors. Its 12-member Advisory Board serves as ambassadors for the organization but does not have a governing role. Last year, more than 2,000 volunteers played an active role in its success. The organization has a fiscal year 2016-17 budget of $3,245,753 with contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and the faithbased community projected to be $1,245,000 (38%); earned income from mortgage-related income and proceeds from the ReStore are projected to be $832,000 (26%), and government and restricted grants is projected at $1,168,753 (36%). HHOC is a well-run, respected organization with a hard-working Board of Directors and a dedicated staff. It is stable financially and has ambitious plans for the future. During the past three years the fundraising 2
program has become stronger, more sophisticated and more effective. It now needs a forward-looking, assertive fundraising leader who can build on this foundation and take the organization to even greater success. Candidate Description The next Director of Development will be joining colleagues dedicated to the organization s mission and an environment where teamwork thrives. The new Director will lead a five-member team including the Director of Leadership Gifts and the Partnership Manager (both direct reports); Volunteer and Youth Programs Coordinator, Database and Grant Manager, and Communications Coordinator. The Director must be a strong and caring leader with the ability to mentor and utilize the staff s talents to their fullest. Funding diversification and growth will demand a strategic and organized leader able to create and monitor an annual plan of action and calendar that sets clear goals and expectations. He/She must be able to evaluate the current programs, activities and operations, and work with the team and the Associate Executive Director to lead the change required. The Director of Development will report to and work closely with Jennifer Player, Associate Executive Director, the person who was previously in the position. Jennifer s new role in the organization will include overseeing the fundraising program as well as working closely with the Executive Director on special initiatives. Building a diversified funding base with an emphasis on expanding major gift opportunities ($10,000 and more) has been a priority for the last three years and will continue to be so. The Executive Director, Associate Executive Director, Director of Development and Director of Leadership Gifts will all carry major gift portfolios, but it will be the Director of Development who will lead and guide this work. The Director will be taking on a program with a strong and well-deserved reputation in stewardship. Out of its FY17 fundraising revenue goal of $1,245,000, it is anticipated that 39% ($487,126) will be raised from individuals, 24% ($300,985) from corporations and 15% ($182,500) from foundations, while fundraising attributed primarily to the work HHOC does with university-related groups and contributions from faith-based groups will each represent an 11% portion ($133,850 and $140,539, respectively). Expanding the major gifts effort will rely on a vibrant donor pipeline that identifies, solicits and stewards a growing base of donors. WomenBuild, CEOBuild, A Brush with Kindness and its annual events are all opportunities to attract new donors. Moving donors to greater levels of support must also include strategies to encourage more estate and planned gifts into its legacy society. HHOC s fundraising Director should be someone who keeps up with current trends and best practices, and someone who inspires creativity from the development team. HHOC stages two significant annual fundraising events augmented by many smaller events. The annual fall House Party is the organization s largest and longest-running event netting a record $80,000 in 2016. In 2015 it premiered its High Heels and Hard Hats fashion show. Last year the event netted $35,000 and perhaps more importantly, introduced the organization to a group of high net-worth donors from throughout the Orange County area. For many years, the Stewards Fund has been a significant funder through its matching gifts grants program. The Stewards Fund announced several years ago that it will be spending itself out of existence by 2020 and has been decreasing grants each year since to wean HHOC and other Triangle-based nonprofits from its support. This year HHOC could receive up to $85,000. Part of any future strategy will need to take the loss of this reliable source of funding into account. The new development leader must be the consummate networker with an eye for determining the best activities or events to make connections and to create greater awareness of HHOC s impact. Orange County might not be the address of many major businesses, but it is the home of many corporate leaders who work in the greater Triangle region. It will be the job of the Director to be out in the community and networking with these and other prospects. 3
The Board is fully aware of the need to grow the fundraising program. Staff support and training will be required to assist the Board in taking advantage of their connections and skills. Serious thought is being given to a potential capital campaign in the near future, and the next Director of Development will play a key management role if it does occur. The last campaign was completed in 2007 and raised $5 million. This is a very exciting time for HHOC. It is a recognized leader in building affordable homes for Orange County residents with ambitious plans for its future. The next Director of Development will be a critical player in its future success. Putting more families in homes will not happen without more funding. Responsibilities Leads the creation, monitoring and evaluation of a diversified, comprehensive written development plan with clearly defined goals, objectives, timelines and assignment of responsibilities, including but not limited to strategies for the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual, corporate, and foundation gifts. Vehicles will include annual fund direct mailings and personalized solicitations, partnerships/sponsorships, special events, and potentially a capital campaign. Makes regular reports of progress to the Associate Executive Director and Board. Builds on the base of existing donors (individual, corporate, foundation and others) and focuses on the identification of new donors; continues to grow and improve the major gifts and planned giving programs. Continues to use and focus on a robust moves management system in identifying and tracking prospects and donors. Works with the Associate Executive Director and development staff to maintain a top 50 prospect list for major and planned gifts of $10,000 and more. Along with the Associate Executive Director and Executive Director, is personally responsible for a portfolio of prospects from the top 50 list and takes the lead in initiating contact and creating a positive relationship. Collaborates with volunteers and the Board in the identification, cultivation and solicitation of the list. Serves as an active member of the Executive Director s leadership team contributing to the success of the other team leaders. Motivates, supervises, evaluates and mentors the development team and creates a supportive, collaborative, productive and healthy work environment based on respect, team work and clear expectations and responsibilities. Ensures that staff receive the professional development and resources (within budget constraints) to stay current in their fields and productive at work. Provides or secures fundraising training as needed for the Board or other volunteers. Is a passionate and informed advocate for HHOC and serves as one of the key spokespersons for the organization. Looks for opportunities (or positions the Executive Director or other key leadership) to attend community events or serve on community panels or initiatives which better position the organization for improved fundraising or visibility. Works with the Associate Executive Director and development team on a plan of action to meet communication and marketing needs to build awareness in the community and to strengthen fundraising efforts. Ensures that all communications and marketing materials (written, verbal, web or e-based) have a unified and consistent message and look. This includes but is not limited to fundraising materials, acknowledgements to donors, annual reports, newsletters, website, and proposals. Oversees and evaluates all processes and procedures related to fundraising including stewardship activities (donor database, acknowledgements, and recognition), gift acceptance policies, contributions management and communications/marketing style guidelines and messaging. Works with the Associate Executive Director and Finance Director in the formulation of an annual development/communications program budget and monitors budget throughout the year. 4
Has a thorough knowledge of the history, programs and major milestones of the organization and the key leadership, volunteers and donors who have contributed to its success. Preferred Qualifications and Education Bachelor s degree required. 7-plus years of professional experience in a nonprofit organization, with a proven track record of fundraising success. Experience with fundraising in the greater Orange County area a plus. Fearless and smart fundraiser with experience in the full range of fundraising including major gifts ($10,000 or more), annual, sponsorships, grants, special events and capital - planned giving a plus. Exceptional planning skills; goal, results and detail oriented and the ability to set and meet deadlines. Able to construct, articulate, implement and evaluate written annual plans. Proven track record achieving ambitious revenue targets in a highly competitive environment as well as creating new programs and/or reinvigorating existing programs. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and key stakeholders and build long-term relationships. Comfortable with Habitat homeowners as well as corporate executives and people of wealth. Eager and skilled networker who enjoys getting out into the community, attending events and participating in civic groups and activities which will better position the organization for success. History of creating or leading effective communication and marketing efforts related to fundraising or awareness and knowledge of how best to use and balance social and traditional media is a plus. Team management and staff supervision experience required with the ability to create a shared commitment to the mission and a creative, healthy work environment. Willing to make the tough decisions when necessary. High energy and passion for the mission of Habitat for Humanity; empathy for the people Habitat serves. Flexible and adaptable work style with the ability to work some nights and weekends, manage competing demands and work independently without close oversight; creative with a sense of humor. Compensation: Commensurate with experience and abilities and reflective of salary levels in nonprofit organizations. To apply: In one document please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements and send via email to: Ms. Jennifer Player Associate Executive Director Habitat for Humanity of Orange County HHOCsearch@mossandross.com Applications will be accepted until March 24, 2017 or until the position is filled. Habitat for Humanity of Orange County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A short presentation, writing samples and references will be required from finalists who will be notified after the application deadline. Academic, credit and criminal checks will be conducted before a final offer is made. At least three references will be required for finalists. The consulting firm of moss+ross (www.mossandross.com) has been retained to assist with the search. 5