Director of Development
Opportunity
The Center for Women in Transition is the longest established provider of comprehensive, wrap around re-entry services for women in the St. Louis region. More than 300 women re-enter the metro region each year after serving their time in prison; thousands more re-enter after a jail sentence. Nearly 40% will be back in prison within 2 years. 8 out of 10 women in prison are mothers and leave behind their children, often resulting in short and long-term consequences for families.
As experts in women’s empowerment, we address systemic issues facing incarcerated women and are proud that our programs have been proven to significantly reduce recidivism rates. The women in our program are reunited with children and family, find stable housing and have their behavioral health needs addressed. 83% of eligible women land jobs, despite their record.
Candidates for this key fundraising position will ideally have a passion for the mission and be eager to be part of the organization’s continued growth. After a recent fundraising assessment and with the support of an enthusiastic Development Committee, the framework is in place for the right candidate to step into this position and continue leading our success. Thank you for your interest.
Position Overview
The Center for Women in Transition seeks an enthusiastic fundraising professional to lead all development efforts. This includes a robust individual giving program, including major gifts, annual giving for mid-level giving, two established events, as well as new opportunities for public funding via government grants.
The Director of Development will lead the organization during an anticipated period of growth. Growth is expected to be driven by a combination of major gift fundraising and public funding. This will require improving upon communications to all levels of funders. The candidate will support the Executive Director with her portfolio of major gift prospects, manage their own slate of top prospects, and support the Development Committee and interested board members in their personalized outreach to potential funders.
The Center has a strong base of public support and this position will help to grow that base by helping to identify opportunities and managing a Grants and Compliance Manager.
This position will report to the Executive Director and will serve as a member of the Executive Team.
Scope of Position
Ideal candidates will have demonstrated skills managing a healthy annual giving program, understand and be able to implement a major gift effort, while helping to grow public funding. Experience with managing other staff is essential, as is the ability to inspire volunteers in their outreach efforts. The ability to assist in efforts to build and maintain public and private partnerships is also important.
The Director of Development will be driven and have the ability to create compelling funding opportunities that engage funders and make their experience supporting CWIT satisfying. These funding opportunities include major gift outreach and stewardship (utilizing an established platform and qualified list of prospects and portfolios), improved mid-level donor communications, and two established events: one gala and one trivia night.
The position also requires knowledge of the entire fundraising cycle and the ability to prioritize efforts that drive in funds.
Candidate Qualities
- Bachelor’s degree; CFRE preferred but not required.
- Supervisory experience preferred.
- Five plus years of progressive experience in fundraising, especially running an annual giving program and at least knowledge of key elements of major giving.
- Familiarity with government and private sector grants. Experience writing and managing government grants preferred.
- Experience with CRM systems.
- Creative and critical thinking skills for strategic approaches to fundraising.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
- Proven ability to motivate others into action.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to cwit@cwitstl.org.
