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San Francisco, CA

Chief Development Officer, Mission Graduates

The Organization – Mission Graduates

Mission Graduates is a nonprofit organization in San Francisco, dedicated to establishing a college education as an expectation and goal for every child, thereby allowing them to find a fulfilling career and call San Francisco home. Through a range of after school, summer, and now virtual programs, Mission Graduates supports literacy, academic success, and socio-emotional learning for students and their families from kindergarten through the beginning of their careers.

For the last 50 years, Mission Graduates has built a strong community by creating educational achievement and community change. Starting in 1972 in a small classroom at St. John’s Episcopal Church, they now serve students and families with their multifaceted programming at 12 school sites and five unique programs. They have worked with tens of thousands of San Francisco students to make college dreams a reality for Latinx, Black, and immigrant students. This year alone, they are serving nearly 5,000 students and families.

In 2019-2020, Mission Graduates affiliated students received nine times more scholarship awards than the average American student. The average scholarship amount per student is $3,852, compared to $35,916.00 for Mission Graduates students. Nearly 100% (99.5%) of eligible Mission Graduates students applied to either FAFSA or Dream Act, compared to the national average of 56%.

Position Overview

THIS POSITION IS HYBRID, WHICH MEANS THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL NEED TO WORK FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE A MINIMUM OF TWO DAYS A WEEK.

ABOUT MISSION GRADUATES

Mission Graduates is a nonprofit organization in San Francisco, dedicated to establishing a college education as an expectation and goal for every child, thereby allowing them to find a fulfilling career and call San Francisco home. Through a range of after school, summer, and now virtual programs, Mission Graduates supports literacy, academic success, and socio-emotional learning for students and their families from kindergarten through the beginning of their careers.

For the last 50 years, Mission Graduates has built a strong community by creating educational achievement and community change. Starting in 1972 in a small classroom at St. John’s Episcopal Church, they now serve students and families with their multifaceted programming at 12 school sites and five unique programs. They have worked with tens of thousands of San Francisco students to make college dreams a reality for Latinx, Black, and immigrant students. This year alone, they are serving nearly 5,000 students and families.

In 2019-2020, Mission Graduates affiliated students received nine times more scholarship awards than the average American student. The average scholarship amount per student is $3,852, compared to $35,916.00 for Mission Graduates students. Nearly 100% (99.5%) of eligible Mission Graduates students applied to either FAFSA or Dream Act, compared to the national average of 56%.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) sets bold fundraising targets and leads both development and marketing/communications staff to successfully meet those goals, including a three-year strategic growth capital campaign, and oversees individual, institutional (foundations), corporate, and special event fundraising. The CDO serves as an ambassador for Mission Graduates by effectively inspiring, educating, and engaging a diverse stakeholder community in service of Mission Graduates’ mission.

For more information, please visit https://www.missiongraduates.org

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer. This role has five direct reports, including the Development Director, Director of Marketing & Communications, Development Manager, Volunteer Manager, and Grant Writer.

OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Salary range is $160,000-$170,000
  • Benefits include:
    • Medical, dental, and vision are 100% employer paid
    • FSAs – healthcare, dependent care, pre-tax commuter/parking benefits
    • 3% Employer Contribution + 5% Leadership Retention Employer Contribution
    • Life Insurance/AD&D
    • Employee Assistance Program is 100% employer paid
    • Paid Time Off: Vacation, Sick, Personal
    • 14 paid holidays
  • The opportunity to raise crucial funds that eliminate opportunity gaps and allow students to achieve their college dreams, in service of broader educational justice and social equity.

YOU ARE

  • Visionary, optimistic leader who can build and execute the big picture in partnership with team members, Board Members, donors, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
  • Collaborative and heart-centered, you delight in serving as a mentor, coach, and guide for your growing team.
  • Expertise as an individual, institutional, and corporate fundraiser who is excited by the outstanding opportunities for growth at Mission Graduates.
  • Process driven and goal oriented, you hold proactive accountability for yourself, your team, and your goals.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership, Management & Mentorship

  • Lead the Development team (5 FTE) to identify, cultivate and steward strategic relationships with a diverse array of funders to meet or exceed a $2.5M annual revenue plan.
  • Develop and apply a deep understanding of the mission and vision of Mission Graduates to effectively tell the story to funders, donors, and other stakeholders in the community.
  • Set clear, achievable team goals and ensure staff have resources, access, and professional development opportunities to perform at high levels.
  • Engage the Board of Directors in developing the plan for meeting fundraising and communication goals, and leveraging the time, talent, and generosity of board members.
  • Support the CEO in sourcing, recruiting, and training new board members.
  • Support and staff the Development Committee on the Board of Directors.
  • Collaborate closely with the CEO as a thought partner in service of organizational goals.
  • In collaboration with the Board and Executive team, execute on the organization’s strategic plan with an eye towards remaining nimble and able to take advantage of opportunities as they are presented.
  • Mentor and coach members of the development team in best practices and opportunities for growth.
  • Promote a learning and solutions-seeking mindset within the development team.
  • Drive operational excellence by streamlining processes, optimizing workflows, and ensuring a focus on metrics and database management.

Fundraising & Communications

  • In partnership with the executive team, determine appropriate fundraising targets for private philanthropy and public agencies, in accordance with the strategic plan.
  • Oversee successful implementation of a $15M growth capital campaign to support the organization’s strategic plan.
  • Personally oversee a portfolio of key individual and institutional supporters.
  • Lead the Marketing & Communications team (1.0 FTE) to ensure that messaging and communication efforts reflect our brand positioning in all channels (website, social media, collateral, and campaigns) and drive improved results with donors, alumni, higher education partners, and early childhood leaders.
  • Ensure effective internal communications strategy that enhances connection and supports Mission Graduates’ culture in multiple school sites and programs across the City of San Francisco.
  • Act as editor-in-chief for internal and external communications.

Collaboration & Community Focus

  • Maintain a deep understanding of the college going culture in order to proactively respond to opportunities and challenges, and position Mission Graduates as a leading solutions provider and thought leader.
  • Represent Mission Graduates at major events and conferences.
  • Live out the organization’s values both internally and externally.
  • Contribute to the organization’s fiscal health, strategy, culture, and morale.
  • Act as conduit of key insights from stakeholders to Board and senior leadership to inform organizational imperatives and priorities.

COMPETENCIES

  • 10+ years of experience as a seasoned leader and manager of a team in a nonprofit organization
  • 10+ years of experience cultivating, stewardship and soliciting donors for major, individual and institutional gifts
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
  • Passion for equity, inclusion, and justice
  • Ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long‐term relationships
  • Strong organizational, leadership and mentoring skills
  • Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives
  • Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside of the organization
  • Knowledge of the Bay Area fundraising landscape; preferably experience fundraising in San Francisco
  • Knowledge of donor database management – preferably a detailed knowledge of Salesforce software
  • Ability to construct, articulate, and implement annual strategic development plan
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
  • Customer focus, with a donor-centric vision
  • Professional and resourceful style; takes initiative, and is able to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time
  • Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred. CFRE designation a plus
  • High energy and passion for Mission Graduates mission is essential

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES STATEMENT

“Mission Graduates believes:

  • We are all lifelong learners and encourage this in those around us;
  • We can create a better future for our children and our community through developing a college-going culture;
  • That as a family, we must support the growth and health of the whole person;
  • Engaging the entire family should be at the heart of everything we do;
  • In equity – ensuring those who need our support receive it and encouraging those who are able to give to support others;
  • In cultivating leaders of all ages through our own example.”

How To Apply

To apply for this position, or for additional information on the opportunity, please send a copy of your resume with a cover letter to Victoria Silverman at apply@cooksilverman.com.

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