Job Title: Director, Development

Department: Executive Office

Reports To: Executive Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Hybrid or Fully Remote if not in DC area

Position Summary: The Director, Development is responsible for designing and executing the strategic development plan to support the mission and vision of Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). This role will focus on cultivating relationships, securing funding from a variety of sources, and engaging key stakeholders to drive sustainability and growth for CEC programs. This is a new position at CEC, and this position will be building a new program and expanding upon the organization’s existing development efforts.

About CEC: CEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. CEC is known as THE source for information, resources, and professional development for special educators.

Through its history, CEC has been the fortunate recipient of thousands of donations. In 2020, CEC created its five new endowments and birthed a new generation of donors and support. With the support of the association’s Board of Directors, and the volunteer-run Development Committee, CEC has raised $250,000 over the last three years. Our donor database has over 900 individuals. The CEC Board of Directors and Executive Director are committed to supporting the further growth of the association’s development efforts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Fundraising Strategy & Execution
  • Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive fundraising plan to meet the organization's financial goals, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundations, and grants.
  • Work with Strategic/Corporate Partnership Department to explore corporate philanthropy (that is separate from current exhibit, ad, sponsor sales). Identify and pursue new funding opportunities and diversify revenue streams to ensure sustainable funding for the organization.
  • Manage the organization’s various giving platforms and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.
  • Work with the Marketing Department to develop and oversee all aspects of marketing and communications planning related to development, including key messages and talking points; identifying key target audiences and channels (traditional and social media, blog, marketing, etc.), and then managing implementation of plans.
  • Utilize data to inform decisions and evaluate progress towards goals.

• Events & Campaigns
  • Work with Meetings/Events team to plan and execute the fundraising initiatives at CEC events, including the donor booth and reception at CEC’s annual convention and expo.
  • Successfully lead fundraising campaigns that support revenue goals, increase visibility, and engage stakeholders, members, and the wider community. Includes the organization’s Giving Tuesday campaign, a potential Day of Giving, etc.
  • Identify new event and campaign opportunities to promote CEC fundraising.
  • Develop and strengthen online messaging for fundraising campaigns.
  • Plan and execute a successful recurring donation campaign.

• Donor Relations & Stewardship
  • Oversee the development and growth of the organization’s donor society the Elizabeth Farrell Society.
  • Build and maintain long-term relationships with existing and potential donors, creating a meaningful donor stewardship program that includes recognition, appreciation, and ongoing engagement.
  • Conduct prospect research to identify, evaluate, and cultivate relationships with high-potential donors and supporters.
  • Manage the donor stewardship process in order to connect donors to the mission of CEC and foster a sense of community.
  • Prepare annual report for donors and ambassadors.

• Grant Writing & Management
  • Working with the Management and Executive teams, identify grant opportunities and partner to prepare compelling grant proposals, reports, and funding applications that align with funders’ interests and priorities.
  • Partner with the respective department to oversee grant compliance, reporting, and ensure timely communication with funding partners.

• Team Collaboration
  • Collaborate with the Board of Directors and executive leadership to promote a culture of philanthropy within the organization.
  • Work closely with the operations and finance team to develop budgets, track revenue and expenses, and ensure fiscal accountability.
  • Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to develop outreach strategies that maximize impact and engagement for fundraising campaigns and events.
  • Manage the organization’s volunteer Development and Fundraising Committee.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education/Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, or a related field. Advanced degree or relevant certifications preferred.
  • Minimum of five years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, or a similar field.
  • Proven track record of successful fundraising, including securing major gifts, and grants.
  • Experience in association, disability, or education fundraising preferred.

• Skills and Competencies
  • Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) preferred.
  • Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices and ethical practices, donor cultivation, and relationship management.
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate the organization’s mission and impact persuasively.
  • Knowledge of donor management software.
  • Successful experience stewarding donors and prospects into major donors.
  • Experience working across departments to create communication/marketing plans for donor communication that result in donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation.
  • Ability to gather and analyze data and provide sound strategic recommendations based on data.
  • Highly organized with project management skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including board members, donors, volunteers, and community partners.

About Council for Exceptional Children

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. CEC is known as THE source for information, resources, and professional development for special educators.

Connections working at Council for Exceptional Children