Development Director

CitySprouts (CitySprouts)

CitySprouts

Job Description


About CitySprouts

The CitySprouts mission is to cultivate wonder for all children with hands-on learning through urban gardening. Our model is based on the power of the schoolyard garden to engage children in deep and authentic science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through the natural world where they live, learn and play. Since 2001, CitySprouts has been partnering with public elementary and middle schools in Boston and Cambridge to reach thousands of children from preschool through middle school years to level the learning field for children growing up in economically stressed neighborhoods.

CitySprouts’ guiding principle of equity and its youth-driven approach have shaped its program development and positively contributed to the field of informal education in-school and out-of-school. CitySprouts was selected as a Social Innovator in 2008 by the Social Innovation Forum in Boston. CitySprouts is a charter member of the BPS Opportunity Portfolio, a key strategy for the district to identify and increase equitable access to quality learning opportunities. In 2019 Boston Public Schools recognized the CitySprouts program again as an exemplary STEM literacy program that makes science more accessible to students. CitySprouts is a charter member of the BoSTEM Education, Innovation & Research project, a federally funded program designed to improve youth STEM learning and social-emotional health. 

For 19 years CitySprouts has partnered with public schools to engage all kinds of learners through garden-based learning, notably children who are historically left out and left behind with traditional educational methods. We have strong testimony from teachers, school leadership and families that indicates our model makes a significant improvement in children’s health, well-being and engagement in learning. CitySprouts is poised for bigger impact. A new position in the organization, the Development Director will spearhead development efforts as CitySprouts continues to grow and evolve in the greater Boston community. 

The Development Director Position

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Director will lead the organization’s efforts to obtain the financial and other support to sustain its work. In collaboration with the Executive Director and the board development committee, the Development Director will develop and implement strategies to sustain and expand current revenue streams– including individual giving and annual campaigns, grants, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events. The Development Director will oversee the organization’s marketing and promotional functions, working with the Communication & Development Manager to engage a broad range of stakeholders in the organization's mission and goals. The Development Director will work closely with the Program Director to ensure program needs are accurately reflected in fundraising goals, and that program success is shared with stakeholders. 


 


RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning and Strategy

Develop an annual fundraising strategy to meet short and long term fundraising goals in alignment with CitySprouts’ strategic plan, in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board; the organization’s budget is currently in the range of $850,000;
 Establish a comprehensive and effective system in Salesforce to track funder and prospective and actual funder information, history and relationships; 
Partner with the Executive Director in establishing appropriate goals, timetables, benchmarks, plans and budgets for all fundraising activities;
Introduce and maintain development and fundraising best practices through ongoing professional development for development team members and the Board.
Major Donors

Broaden, deepen, and diversify CitySprouts' base of major donors and philanthropic profile, in partnership with the Executive Director and the Board;
Manage and participate in personal visits with high level prospects and donors, in conjunction with the Executive Director and the Board;
Oversee the solicitation and acknowledgement process, creation and maintenance of records and database of funder information, history and relationships. 
Institutional Support

Oversee the planning and implementation of all phases of grant applications and sponsorship requests;
Manage– and execute as needed– the writing of proposals, supporting documents, and other correspondence;
Support Executive Director to identify opportunities to participate as a thought leader in media (publications/interviews), events, conference presentations and similar settings; identify applicable opportunities for the board to strategically represent CitySprouts publicly. 
Marketing and Events

Oversee marketing and publicity via social media, local and national media outlets,
co-sponsored events, and CitySprouts’ website;
Oversee the implementation of annual signature event, Dig It; manage a volunteer team to plan and execute Dig It and any other fundraising event; manage cultivation and follow up efforts from events.


Management

Engage and support the Board of Directors in their CitySprouts’ fundraising endeavors, in collaboration with Executive Director; 
Serve on the board’s development committee (with Executive Director) and ensure progress toward the goals outlined in the strategic plan;
Directly supervise the Communications & Development Manager;
Partner with the Executive Director, Program Director and the Operations Manager  to ensure alignment across fundraising, program, and operations.
A strong candidate will have many of these qualifications

Commitment to the CitySprouts mission
A demonstrated ability to work effectively with people, including volunteers and Board; a clear commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
Experience in the planning and successful implementation of a multi-faceted development program as well as working knowledge of all aspects of development, including major giving, annual giving, on-line giving, event management, and institutional giving
Working knowledge of and comfort with fundraising database management (Salesforce knowledge preferred)
A proven track record in major gifts and closing at the 5-figure level and above
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in development or a related field 
Compensation

Annual Salary $70,000 (Benefits include health insurance, Simple IRA plan 3% match & generous paid time off policy)


Please submit a cover letter and resume to the Executive Director, Jane Hirschi, at jhirschi@citysprouts.org on or before January 15, 2021. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.