The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is responsible for all food bank fundraising and communications activities, providing direct leadership to the Development and Communications staff. In addition, the CDO works closely with the President & CEO in developing and executing the food bank’s fundraising activities and communication strategies. The CDO also works to create a strong, compelling and cohesive presence for the Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin to achieve annual, capital, and long-range programmatic fundraising goals supporting our mission.
Develops and oversees annual fundraising budget and plan, including direct mail, grants, corporate partnerships, major gifts, special events, planned giving, giving societies, in-kind gifts, and cause-related marketing campaigns.
In partnership with the CEO, will have oversight of a comprehensive capital campaign.
Ensures that appropriate policies and procedures are in place to effectively track, acknowledge, and manage all donations.
In partnership with the fundraising team, develops and oversees all aspects of donor identification, acquisition, cultivation, and stewardship.
Individually and in partnership with the CEO, develops and manages relationships with top donors and prospects. Provides guidance and support to President & CEO, Board, Development Committee members, fundraising team, and food bank staff in their cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement activities. Serves as the contact for the food bank’s development committee.
Provides strategic direction to the Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin's communications efforts. Works closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications to develop an annual communications plan/strategy that increases the visibility of the food bank across our thirty-five-county service area among potential donors and volunteers.
Evaluates the effectiveness of the food bank’s fundraising and communications programs and establishes metrics for annual goals and objectives, providing communications support for each department within the organization including crisis communications.
Develops and implements innovative strategies for continually improving the impact, effectiveness and quality of fundraising and communications activities.
Ensures the accuracy and relevance of donor information in the Raiser’s Edge database and hard copy files. Oversees database protocols and training.
Works closely with the finance department on the monthly reconciliation between Raiser’s Edge and NetSuite.
Ensures regular prospect research via iWave is completed and archived appropriately to help determine strategies for individual, corporate, and foundation donors and to identify new potential donors to the organization.
Serves as a leader on the Senior Leadership Team in fundraising and communications. Contributes to the strategic planning process and creates departmental workplans that support organizational objectives. Ensures effective communication and cross-collaboration between development and communications staff and all other food bank departments.
Serves as secondary representative of the food bank in the media and at public events as needed. Builds and maintains positive external relationships with donors, volunteers, corporate partners, and other stakeholders.
Oversee volunteer program strategy to ensure the recruitment of the appropriate quantity and quality of volunteers for organization needs, including food sorting, events, and department support projects.
Develop a consistent, positive experience for volunteer groups donating their time to support our mission with the intention to convert volunteers into donors.
Work with the operations department to ensure successful collaboration in the shared warehouse space.
Other duties as assigned.
Commitment to understand and support FAEW’s mission, vision, and effective actions to end food insecurity and its causes
Respect for the people FAEW serves and commitment to learn the causes of their food insecurity and need
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, preferred).
Minimum of five (5) years of fundraising experience with a detailed understanding of individual giving programs, corporate support, foundation grants, and annual fundraising programs such as direct mail
Minimum of three (3) years in a supervisory role
Knowledge of the principles and practices of marketing, public relations, and community engagement a plus
Proficiency in Windows and Microsoft Office programs required
Excellent project and people management skills
Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
Must be a self-starter and able to work independently while supervising staff
Ability to set deadlines and manage multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner
Ability to prioritize and handle a high volume and intensity of work in short timeframes
Ability to develop positive relationships.
Ability to speak and present in front of individuals, groups, or to media.
Complete understanding of fund raising/database software.
Excellent organizational, critical thinking, analytical, decision making, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to persuade, negotiate, and convince donors to make contributions to the organization.
Ability to work at a fast pace and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Demonstrate the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be open-minded of differing opinions and views.
Valid Driver’s license, proof of insurance and transportation to support work activities.
Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
Perks & Benefits
Full Benefits for Medical, Dental, and Vision for all eligible employees.
Coverage Level Options:
Employee
Employee + Spouse
Employee + Child(ren)
Family
Company Provided:
Basic Life Insurance
Basic AD&D Insurance
Short Term Disability
Long Term Disability
Paid Parental Leave
Employee Assistance Program
Additional Benefits:
401K w/company matching contributions
Paid Holidays
up to 10 paid holidays / calendar year
1 Float Holiday
Paid Time Off
up to 208 hours / fiscal year with the option to carryover up to 80 hours to the following fiscal year
1 Personal Day
Volunteer Time Off
up to 8 hours / calendar year
Flex-time Options
Early Dismissal every Friday
Half-Day Fridays in the Summer
Hybrid Remote Work options for most positions
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is the leading local hunger-relief organization in the state with locations in Milwaukee and Appleton. Founded in 1982 by the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is a local and independent member of the Feeding America network. Driven by our mission to solve hunger and our vision of a hunger-free Wisconsin, we are bringing more people together around the table to collaboratively address the root causes of hunger. Together with our network partners, we serve nearly half a million food-insecure people across 35 counties in eastern Wisconsin each year.