Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars Development Manager

Organizational Overview

Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS) empowers and supports students throughout Southeast Michigan to achieve post-secondary success. Founded in 1990, DRDFS provides equitable opportunities for students to access and earn a post-secondary degree, reach their goals, and strengthen our communities.

Through our Next Level Scholars Program, students are engaged beginning in 10th grade and continue through post-secondary credential or degree attainment. The program inspires and prepares students to pursue post-secondary education, which we accomplish through tailored campus visits, SAT preparation, leadership workshops, FAFSA completion, one-on-one coaching and more. DRDFS awards each student a $4,000 scholarship upon high school graduation and continues to provide resources, coaching and support until they earn a post-secondary degree or credential. We are proud that our students outpace their peers in post-secondary enrollment, persistence, and graduation.

Over the past 34 years, what started as a small group of committed neighbors who established the organization to support their local school has evolved into a comprehensive, award-winning post-secondary access and success program, serving 16 partner high schools and more than 1,000 students across Southeast Michigan annually.

Opportunity

Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is currently seeking a detail-oriented, goal driven and self-motivated Development Manager. The Development Manager will work directly with the Executive Director and will be responsible for implementing, coordinating and executing the fundraising operations of the organization while also managing the Development and Grants Specialist.

The ideal candidate is highly self-motivated, professional, experienced in fundraising and is capable of managing their workload in a fast-paced non-profit environment. In this role, the Development Manager will have the opportunity to further our mission of empowering and supporting students to achieve post-secondary success by growing our network of supporters through fundraising efforts with individuals, schools and businesses across the region.

This is a full-time position based in Plymouth, MI.

Responsibilities:

• Fundraising Strategy: In conjunction with the Executive Director, Board of Directors and Executive Advisory Board, develop and execute strategies to meet annual and long-term fundraising goals. This includes setting and managing annual revenue and development budgets, planning for long-term growth, managing the donor database system and interfacing with DRDFS financial consultant team.
• Team Leadership: Manage the Development & Grants Specialist in their efforts of seeking out, applying for and securing grants by providing support, guidance and leadership through scheduled 1:1s, review processes, and general day to day operations. Provide relevant training & development opportunities to ensure team members have the resources to meet their goals.
• Fundraising Events: Coordinate fundraisers (DRDFS signature events such as the Celebration Luncheon and Downtown Networking Tailgate) in addition to setting up and preparing for donor meetings, sponsorship solicitations, guest list management, contractor management, tracking pledges and sending acknowledgements.
• High School Fundraising: Implement and manage annual high school partner fundraising efforts.
• Promotional Event Material and Communication: With support on language development and graphic design, create digital and print development materials for DRDFS events including the Celebration Luncheon, Downtown Networking Tailgate, and Executive Advisory Board Meetings. (Examples include: annual appeal content, email blasts, event invites, solicitations, etc.).
• Fundraising Committee: Serve as staff lead for the Committee, managing budget and setting annual goals in alignment with strategic plan.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree
• 3+ years of experience in a related fund development role
• 1+ years of management experience
• Experience with fund development and grant writing; proven track record of achieving fundraising targets
• Experience in creating, managing and staying within a budget
• Highly organized, detail-oriented and self-motivated; able to take initiative, manage, and complete multiple tasks within deadlines and within budget
• Experience with planning and executing small to large/complex fundraising events
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization in a friendly and professional manner
• Strong writing and communications skills; willing to make public presentations in a variety of settings
• Experience with email marketing software (Constant Contact preferred)
• Experience with updating and maintaining donor management software (Little Green Light preferred)
• Adaptable and flexible to assignment and project changes
• Work beyond normal work schedule as necessary to fulfill position responsibilities, primarily around fundraising events
• Commitment to DRDFS mission, vision and guiding principles
• Commitment to uphold the organizations culture and values as demonstrated through proficiency in DRDFS Ways of Being

Organizational Culture and Values

All team members are expected to demonstrate our organizational culture and values, also known as our ways of being. The DRDFS team created these statements to encompass the perspectives, knowledge, skills and attitudes of how we approach our work both collectively and individually. By following our ways of being and seeking out ways to improve in these areas, team members can successfully contribute to DRDFS mission, vision and long term strategic goals as a dedicated team member.

• Connect Meaningfully: Be respectful and compassionate first. We create safe, respectful and compassionate spaces that honor both the individual and team needs and goals. We agree to shared norms and values.
• Engage Fully: Show up as your best. We are present: using our voices and lending our input, as it matters. We show up as our best and acknowledge that our best may change. We are prepared and ready to engage fully.
• Be Brave: Assume positive intent and deliver feedback and ideas respectfully to keep moving forward. We take wise risks, own our mistakes, speak up and ask questions. We encourage one another to step outside our comfort zones and try new things.
• Embrace Differences: Collaboration amongst diverse perspectives and voices leads to results. We honor the wisdom, experience and values of everyone and respect those in and out of the room. We are open to new ideas as well as established ones and collaborate to ensure the best possible outcome.
• Aim High: Set big goals and strive to meet them with a sense of ambition and a growth mindset. We know that to achieve our mission, we need to think big and seek opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement. With an understanding that both challenges and successes offer us an opportunity to learn and grow, we support each other in the process with compassion and accountability.
• Celebrate Success: Infuse joy, recognition and gratitude into daily wins both big and small. We take time to pause, reflect and acknowledge successes. We focus on our goals and work collectively toward them.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars strives to promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value differences in experiences, perspectives, and identities, including but not limited to ethnicity, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, gender identity, and disability status.

The need for post-secondary education applies equally to all students, and since its inception, DRDFS has focused support efforts to ensure students from all backgrounds have equitable access to higher education.

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