TITLE: Vice President of Development
REPORTS TO: President & CEO
COMPENSATION: $119,000 - $160,000
ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:
Housing Forward, formally known as Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA), is abackbone organization that leads the development of an effective homeless response system. In partnership with the All Neighbors Coalition of 150+ public, private, and nonprofit institutions, we make the experience of homelessness in Dallas and Collin Counties rare, brief, and non-recurring. HousingForward's team members uphold the Organizational values of Teamwork, Action, Servant Leadership, and Flexibility.
POSITION SUMMARY
Housing Forward is seeking a Vice President (VP) of Development to join our efforts to resolve homelessness by providing strategic leadership over fundraising. To advance agency and communitywide goals, the VP of Development is responsible for developing, leading, and executing fundraising strategies and managing a fundraising team.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the VP of Development will execute the following responsibilities.
Strategic Leadership
• Establish a clear vision for Housing Forward's current and future fundraising strategy to further communitywide goals for resolving homelessness.
• Set and meet annual revenue goals by developing and executing fundraising plans with clear targets, objectives, and tactics through various giving channels.
• Partner with Finance to align revenue forecasting with the organization's strategic plans and develop and implement a diversified, multi-year revenue strategy to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Lead a fundraising team to achieve fundraising goals, including coordinating the work of fundraising and grant writing consultants.
• Prepare the President & CEO for external and high-level donor and prospect discussions; prepare presentations and briefings.
Effective Fundraising Strategies
• Generate revenue by identifying, researching, soliciting, cultivating, and stewarding existing donors and new prospects including foundations, individuals, and corporations; deepen engagements with existing donors to retain and upgrade their financial commitments.
• Lead a major gifts strategy in partnership with the CEO.
• Develop and facilitate fundraising campaigns, sponsorships, and membership drives in partnership with Housing Forward's Communications Team.
• Analyze and report on fundraising activities, metrics, and impact.
• Oversee donor recognition and stewardship plans, including event invitations, personalized outreach, timely reporting, acknowledgement, and correspondence.
• Oversee maintenance of the donor management database used to track contributions and communications with donors.
• Oversee submission of grant applications, case statements, major gift and sponsorship proposals, and other documents to support ongoing fundraising activities.
• Stay current on trends and best practices in fundraising and development.
• Other duties as assigned.
Fundraising Marketing
• Partner with Communications to ensure fundraising messaging is aligned with Housing Forward's strategic narrative and public positioning, and to translate system-level outcomes and data into compelling investment cases for funders.
• Serve as a powerful ambassador for the work of Housing Forward and the All Neighbors Coalition.
• Work with the CEO to draw on connections with local leaders and the funding community to further the communitywide goals and mission.
Board Engagement & Governance
• Partner with the Board of Directors to strengthen board engagement in fundraising, including portfolio development, cultivation strategy, and shared revenue targets.
• Support and equip board members to serve as effective ambassadors and fundraisers.
• Present regular fundraising strategy, pipeline, and performance updates to the Board.
• Facilitate the Board fundraising committee.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Ideal candidates will have demonstrated capabilities in the following areas:
Strategic Leadership and Executive Partnership: Proven ability to provide long term strategic direction, lead strategic fundraising plans, and direct team execution against measurable goals and objectives. Skill in preparing and positioning the CEO and board for high-level fundraising conversations.
Strategic Fundraising & Revenue Diversification: Deep knowledge of major gifts, institutional giving, corporate partnerships, and campaign strategy. Knowledge of donor lifecycle management and stewardship best practices.
Nonprofit Governance & Board Engagement:Knowledge of board roles in fundraising and governance. Understanding of how to activate and support board members as fundraisers.
Relationship Development & Major Gift Solicitation: Exceptional cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship skills. Comfort engaging high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and civic leaders. Ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Communications and Case Making: Ability to articulate complex, data-driven impact in compelling ways. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Skill in developing high-level presentations and investment proposals.
Project Management in Fast-Paced Environment: Ability to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate the work of a team to achieve specific goals within defined timelines.
Agility and Adaptability: Adaptable to change and responsive to incorporating new insights into plans and strategies. Comfortable managing ambiguity while maintaining forward momentum/making decisions and the ability to thrive in an ambiguous environment or with imperfect information.
EXPERIENCE
• Minimum of 10 years in fundraising/development or related field
REQUIREMENTS
• Must have reliable transportation, valid state issued driver's license and car insurance. Please note that travel is required on a limited basis.
• Must be flexible to work at different sites as scheduled.
• Limited requirements, must be able to maintain files and lift objects that weigh up to 25 lbs.
WORK SCHEDULE:
Housing Forward considers normal hours of operation Monday - Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm. Some night and weekend meetings might be required to meet the needs of partner agencies or to represent Housing Forward at community meetings.
• Employees are able to work both remotely and in the office. Current Housing Forward guidelines state that employees must work at least 3 days per week in the office, but this is subject to change.
COMPENSATION: