Vice President of Development

​

THE ORGANIZATION

​

Overview 

For more than 50 years, Avenidas has offered a range of innovative programs, services and social activities to empower and engage older adults in healthful and meaningful ways. With programs and support services offered in a new state-of-the-art facility in the heart of downtown Palo Alto as well as at two satellite facilities, and through its “Avenidas Without Walls” program, the organization remains a critical and invaluable resource for aging adults and their families. 

​

Avenidas’ goal is simple: to create a community that supports and celebrates older adults by providing support options, information, and services that enable them to stay active and maintain their independence. Avenidas also provides support and counsel to adult children with aging parents, as well as to partners and spouses facing the challenges and stresses of caring for an aging loved one. Avenidas offers a variety of programs, including: 

The Rose Kleiner Senior Center, a newly renovated, state-of-the-art center in Mountain View that provides a safe, therapeutic, and supportive environment for adults with cognitive and physical challenges as well as caregiver support resources and service;

​

The Chinese Cultural Community Center which works to promote the health, wellness and recreation in culturally appropriate programs to a diverse senior community, while promoting cultural sensitivity through education and community engagement;

Avenidas Village, a community network for older adults that offers practical help, resources and social connections to keep community members active, confident and independent in their own home and neighborhood. 

Avenidas serves the Mid-Peninsula communities of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Atherton, Portola Valley, Woodside, and Mountain View and has an annual budget of approximately $6M million, a third of which comes from private fundraising. Today, Avenidas’ innovative programs and compassionate staff - paid and volunteer - enrich the lives of more than 7,500 mature adults and their families each year. With the estimated population of Americans over 65 expected to climb to 98.2 million by 2060 – double the estimated population in 2015 - the role that Avenidas and other aging service organizations play in the overall health of our communities and the nation will become increasingly and vitally important.  

THE POSITION

​

The VP of Development role is a wonderful opportunity for an exceptional fundraiser who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and can lead and strengthen a comprehensive development program for an organization with growing demand for its services. Reporting to the CEO, the Vice President will manage a current team of 1.5 FTE and several contract employees, a number that is expected to increase as Avenidas’ fundraising program grows. As a member of the senior leadership team, the VP will work closely with the CEO and colleagues to implement fundraising strategies that increase financial support for Avenidas’ operations, its long-term plans for strategic growth and its fundraising priorities. The VP will manage and support the board and other volunteers in planning and delivering a diverse program of fundraising activities and initiatives. They should be a leader, as well as a team player, and demonstrate the ability to manage multiple demands in a rapidly changing environment.

​

RESPONSIBILITIES

​

• Develop and lead a diversified fundraising program to grow Avenida’s revenue base and enable it to meet its annual and longer-term fundraising goals

• Assess and strengthen Avenidas’ fundraising infrastructure to increase support from and steward donors and ensure adequate operational support for front-line fundraisers, volunteers and Avenidas’ leadership

• Serve as an organizational leader and collaborative member of the executive team; serve as a partner to the CEO in all matters related to fundraising

• Strengthen Avenidas’ major gifts program by establishing best practices and systems to build a robust prospect pipeline and increase the number of engaged donors capable of making gifts of $5K+. Work closely with Board of Directors and Donor Engagement Committee to implement strategy   

• Manage Avenidas’ institutional giving program. Collaborate with the grant specialist, colleagues and volunteers to build lasting relationships with and increase support from independent, community and family foundations as well as corporations

• Manage Avenidas’ annual campaign in collaboration with the Development Associate to increase support via direct mail and/or online solicitation activities. Explore ways to create a more robust donor acquisition program to increase the pipeline of potential donors and the number of individuals supporting the organization

• Manage an effective donor relations and stewardship program; create opportunities for donor and volunteer engagement and cultivation

• With counsel and taking advantage of board expertise, explore ways to develop and market a more structured planned giving program to increase the pipeline of deferred gifts/bequest intentions

• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications on development communications and constituent outreach activities involving website management, e-mail communications and campaigns, social media, print collateral, and appeals. Develop a compelling and cogent case statement (and related messaging) that articulates the need for support and the importance of Avenidas’ programs to the community

• Build a culture of philanthropy internally and externally. Work in partnership with Avenidas leadership and staff to build the organization’s philanthropic capabilities. Provide counsel, training and direction regarding fundraising to colleagues, board and other volunteers     

• Create and implement annual and multi-year fundraising plans with both monetary and activity goals that are aligned with the strategic direction of the organization

• Hire, mentor, manage and evaluate development and contract staff. Develop a long-term staffing plan to meeting Avenidas’ fundraising needs and expected growth  

• Serve as an ambassador of Avenidas to prospects, funders and others in the community and beyond, involving the leadership and staff of the organization as appropriate in outreach, cultivation and solicitation activities

• Manage Avenidas’ signature event, Lifetimes of Achievement, supporting and guiding the Event Coordinator and event volunteers. Assess the need for and manage additional fundraising/cultivation events or other activities to attract and engage support

• Manage the development budget. Ensure best practice use of analytics, data, and metrics to track progress and success of fundraising strategies and tactics
   

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

​

Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree is required. Advanced degree and/or fundraising certification (CFRE) appreciated.

​

Experience:

• A minimum of seven to ten years of development experience with at least three years at a senior leadership level

• Proven skills in individual and institutional giving and a demonstrated track record of fundraising success

• Deep knowledge and experience in fundraising strategic planning and implementation

• Experience diversifying revenue streams and building/strengthening a development program. Campaign experience desirable.

• Experience raising major gifts, with a demonstrated ability to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors/prospects and effectively move them through the development cycle leading toward successful gift outcomes

• Demonstrated ability to engage and support volunteers with their efforts in fundraising and donor and prospect engagement

• Experience building relationships with and securing support from companies and foundations

• Experience hiring, managing and mentoring development staff

• Experience in events management
   

COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES

​

The successful candidate will have or be:
 

• Strong strategic planning skills and a capacity to develop and implement clear goals, systems and priorities

• An entrepreneurial spirit with a high level of initiative, attention to detail and strong organizational skills

• A positive outlook with a high degree of emotional intelligence

• Deep understanding of development principles and regulations pertaining to charitable contributions

• Strong financial skills, including the ability to develop budgets and management reports that present a clear financial picture of fundraising activities

• Demonstrated success in fundraising best practices and achieving monetary goals

• Highly effective written and oral communications skills for diverse audiences and outlets

• Proven ability to serve in the role of resource/coach/mentor to board members and colleagues; and, in close partnership with the CEO, to build the board’s capabilities in fundraising, consultation, and advocacy

• Demonstrated skill in respectful and sensitive communication with diverse cultures, language groups, genders, sexual orientations, lifestyles, and backgrounds

• Unquestioned integrity, professional demeanor and authenticity in building relations with and inspiring best effort from staff, donors, volunteers and partners.

• Open, supportive, and encouraging leadership style with a proven ability to create and maintain a collegial, positive and productive work environment

• Earnest and sincere commitment to the mission and core values of Avenidas

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and fundraising database programs

• Familiarity and/or professional experience in the mid-peninsula a significant plus, as is knowledge of Raiser’s Edge    
   

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
 

A competitive compensation package, including a comprehensive benefits package, will be offered. To be considered for this position or for additional information, please contact and/or send resume and cover letter to:

David N. Randall

Principal

Randall Search Associates

415 769 4210

david@randallsearchassociates.com

​

​