Vice President of Development at The Little Bit Foundation in Maryland Heights, Missouri

Job Description:

The Little Bit Foundation works to break down barriers to learning for under-resourced students through partnerships and programs that serve the needs of the whole child and provide access to essential services and experiences. Programs are aligned with district and school performance goals and provide for the needs of the whole child. Working one-on-one with students, we support personal care, classroom readiness, literacy, and health and wellness. Through our high school programming, we help students stay focused on learning and on track for graduation, as well as plan beyond graduation. The results are positive personal growth and increased self-esteem in students impacted by poverty, leading to improved attendance, behavior, and academic success.

The Little Bit Foundation is about empowering students to achieve their academic goals and dreams for the future and uplifting them with words of encouragement and the knowledge that someone cares and believes in them. Through a small team of about 35 employees and a volunteer base contributing over 16,000 volunteer hours each year, The Little Bit Foundation is currently serving approximately 17,000 students in 54 area schools. Since its founding in 2001, The Little Bit Foundation has impacted 60,000 students in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Clair County in Illinois.

Scope and responsibilities:
The Vice President of Development (VPD) oversees and manages The Little Bit Foundation's fundraising strategy, development, and execution. This role requires an individual who is a strong leader, understands and is passionate about the mission and vision of the organization, exemplifies The Little Bit Foundation's Core Values, and can articulate The Little Bit Foundation's mission to donors and prospects in a way that both educates and compels them to give.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the VPD serves as a key leadership team member and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting The Little Bit Foundation. In partnership with the CEO, this position is responsible for all fundraising and development activities. The successful candidate will help forge new relationships to build The Little Bit Foundation's visibility, impact, and financial resources. The VPD also will design and implement a comprehensive plan for developing key external alliances, by cultivating individual and philanthropic support.

The VPD will have primary responsibility for implementing the infrastructure needed to grow an annual $6M operating budget, as well as special campaigns to fund the organization's relocation and building renovations. This will be accomplished by soliciting major gifts, federal and state grants, and corporate and foundation support. S/he will expand and diversify The Little Bit Foundation's donor base/pipeline and work closely with other team members to secure funding for new initiatives. Finally, the VPD will work closely with the CEO as well as the Board of Directors and support board members as they take on a more active fundraising role.

It is expected that the amount of funding raised by The Little Bit Foundation will increase in future years as the VPD systematically and effectively strengthens the organization's overall fundraising capacity, as well as leads and drives the development function.

Specific Responsibilities:

Belief in the mission of The Little Bit Foundation.
Support and partner with the CEO and Board Members on all major fundraising initiatives.
Together with the (CEO), staff and governing bodies, work to shape The Little Bit Foundation business strategies and accomplish goals established by the Board.
Collaborate with the CEO and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to develop and implement The Little Bit Foundation's financial strategy.
Raise funds in support of the strategic operational goals of the organization.
Actively work with the CEO and senior staff to develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy to include individual, corporate, foundation giving, grants, etc.
Work with Development team to identify and cultivate new grant prospects and help manage current relationships when needed.
Monitor all donor information; provide and present statistical analysis to the Board and senior leaders.
Develop and implement a stewardship program aimed at identifying and cultivating deeper ties with donors.
Monitor and report regularly on the progress of the development program.
Identify, develop, motivate, supervise, evaluate and mentor the development team.
Keep abreast of philanthropic trends, industry issues, and changes in law pertaining to donations.
Help establish performance measures, monitor results, and help CEO, development committees and the Board evaluate the effectiveness of The Little Bit Foundation's various development programs.

Supervisory Responsibility:
Positions directly reporting to this position are:

Director of Development
Manager of Events and Activities
Development Manager
Development Coordinator (PT)

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

Humble, warm, friendly.
Self-starter with a strong drive for Development, achievement, and success.
High energy and passion for The Little Bit Foundation's mission is essential.
Trustworthy with high integrity, impeccable ethics, personal principles, and values that are compatible with The Little Bit Foundation.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective relationships with volunteers, staff, Board, major gift donors and prospects.
Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
Highly collaborative.
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 The Little Bit Foundation.
Strategic customer focus; strong in relationship management.
Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Excellent communication skills (writing, verbal, and presentation); ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships.