Vice President of Development Denver, CO A Nonprofit Community-Based Animal Welfare Organization Committed to Ending Pet Homelessness and Animal Suffering
The Dumb Friends League Mission For over 100 years, the Dumb Friends League has been working to end pet homelessness and animal suffering by providing a strong and steadfast voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. As the largest community-based animal welfare organization in the region, the Dumb Friends League cares for more than 20,000 homeless pets and horses each year at its four facilities and is a national model in animal welfare. The Dumb Friends League is leading the way in compassion through pre-emptive action, prevention, a commitment to no-suffering, and community collaboration. By working with communities, the Dumb Friends League prevents suffering by relying on its neighbors to trust them in reaching out when they cannot provide care, reporting abuse and neglect, and choosing adoption. They are encouraging lifelong veterinary care through regional organizational partnerships and tackling important animal welfare issues alongside an alliance of trusted experts. In creating excellent outcomes in animal welfare, the Dumb Friends League is growing overall community welfare in Denver and beyond. History of Dumb Friends League When the organization was founded in 1910, it was named after a London, England, animal welfare group called Our Dumb Friends League. In those days, the term dumb was widely used to refer to animals because they lacked the power of human speech. Today, the Dumb Friends League, headquartered in Denver, is the largest community-based animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region providing a strong, compassionate and steadfast voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Each year, the Dumb Friends League welcomes more than 20,000 homeless pets to their two shelters. At their main shelter in southeast Denver and the Buddy Center in Castle Rock, cats, dogs, rabbits and other small pets enjoy the comfort of a nurturing environment in state-ofthe-art facilities. No animals are turned away. In 2012, the Dumb Friends League expanded its mission to include abused and neglected equines. Located in near Franktown, Colorado the Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center takes in abused and neglected horses, ponies, mules and donkeys that have been removed from owners by law enforcement authorities. And in 2017, the Dumb Friends League opened its Solutions Cat Spay/Neuter Clinic in Denver, offering fully subsidized (no cost) spay/neuter surgeries for all Colorado cats, regardless of owner income. Remaining at the core of the Dumb Friends League s work is a commitment to community compassion and a partnership to end pet homelessness and animal suffering. 2
Opportunities and Challenges The leaders, staff, and volunteers at the Dumb Friends League are devoted to a community-based approach to ending pet homelessness and suffering through a wide range of programs that provide humane care, resources and education to the public about compassion for animals. These programs success depends on partnerships among the Dumb Friends League s many stakeholders and on the development of sustainable funding models. The Leadership Team The Dumb Friends League s staff are experts in animal welfare, and community outreach and education. Highly trained staff provide humane care for lost and relinquished pets. State-commissioned investigators work with law enforcement agencies to protect Colorado s companion animals and horses from mistreatment and neglect. And the entire team works to draw in community support, providing much needed resources and solutions. The challenges involved in animal welfare, both at the Dumb Friends League and throughout the greater community, are becoming increasingly complex. The Dumb Friends League s next VP of Development will be charged with tackling these challenges, working collaboratively with the leadership team in developing and coordinating strategic innovations and solutions in fundraising to support the work of other departments and programs and ensure excellent mission outcomes. Resources & Education The Dumb Friends League s success depends largely on community involvement. By providing resources and education they have built trust in the community around animal care and suffering, and encouraged community members to adopt and stay connected through services that help with pet behavior and training, the utilization of community outreach efforts like mobile spay/neuter clinics, connecting them to subsidized veterinary services for their pets, and providing free educational programs to students in grades K 12 and community groups of all ages combine messages of compassion and respect for animals. Community Partners The Dumb Friends League works with Colorado Veterinary Medical Association in a partnership to encourage lifelong veterinary care for pets, and transfer and placement partners to ensure as many animals as possible find homes. They collaborate with the Metro Denver Animal Welfare Alliance and Colorado Federation of Animal Welfare Agencies to tackle animal welfare issues throughout the region. And they work with a trusting community of individuals in the support of providing continuity, strength and, above all, compassion for our community. 3
The Opportunity The Dumb Friends League Vice President of Development is responsible for leading the strategic growth and operation of a mature, multi-faceted fundraising program, as well as an energetic team ready to achieve even higher financial results. Reporting to the President and CEO, and working collaboratively with the VP leadership team, the Vice President of Development serves as a key leadership team member and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting the Dumb Friends League. Leading the Development team through the fostering of integrity and teamwork, this position is responsible for all fundraising and development activity. This leader will successfully build relationships to cultivate major donors, oversee foundational support, maximize annual giving opportunities and grow a planned giving program. In addition, this Vice President will guide special events programs and lead an exceptional team of development professionals. Specific responsibilities include: Financial Sustainability Lead the Development team in strategically designing and implementing a comprehensive annual giving plan, creating opportunities to reach and engage donors at a minimum on an annual basis while targeting the needs of various donor segments to support enhancing the long-term sustainability of the organization s $18M annual budget and to complete the organization s $40M capital campaign, which requires a remaining $10M Provide strategic direction for the grant program and cultivate industry partner relationships. Oversee and provide strategic direction for all special events. Accountable for developing metrics, goal setting and reporting monthly activity of the Development Department. Increase donor retention via targeted stewardship with the goal to nurture donors along a giving pipeline as well as seek out opportunities to more deeply engage event donors. Develops and monitors both revenue and expense budgets. Have primary responsibility for development and execution of all proposals; write and archive all proposals with a long-term relationship-management approach, research and cultivation activity. Community Outreach Represent the League at special events, community meetings, conferences, etc. to promote and further the League s mission acting as a knowledgeable spokes person. Forge excellent communication and collaborative relationships with the Dumb Friends community members who are the most active supporters of the organization s work. Identify and engage in outreach to potential community partners to build mutually beneficial relationships that advance the Dumb Friend s League s mission, reputation, and funding. 4
The Opportunity Motivational Leadership Mentor, cheerleader and chief fundraiser who encourages all to succeed by creating a positive work environment built on trust, respect and the fundamentals of donor-centric fundraising model. Lead the Development team in strategically designing and implementing a comprehensive annual giving plan, creating opportunities to reach and engage donors at a minimum on an annual basis while targeting the needs of various donor segments. Champion a dynamic development team that understands the importance and urgency of exceeding expectations and financial goals. Monitor and evaluate departmental/area processes and procedures to maximize efficient uses of resources. Board and Leadership Relations Cultivate and engage the Board s/development Committee s role in major donor cultivation and development efforts. As a member of the League s executive team, participate in and lead efforts to develop strategic initiatives and broad organizational objectives. Program Quality Develop the necessary systems, processes, and tools to better support the facilitation, collection, and sharing of knowledge needed to fund program needs and priorities. Stay abreast of current trends and needs in animal welfare programs to leverage funding opportunities in those areas. 5
The Candidate The Vice President of Development should be an experienced leader who is able to listen and learn in a complex environment with multiple stakeholders. The VP of Development will have outstanding interpersonal skills, with an ability to understand others motivations and needs and the ability to imagine and build systems that respond to them. This out-of-the-box thinker will possess a successful track record of fundraising and development, being skilled at cultivating major gifts and planned gifts in a non-profit environment. S/he will be an excellent relationship builder both internally and externally, able to engage Board members and staff, and serve as an effective fundraiser. Fostering integrity, leadership and a sense of teamwork within the Development team, the VP of Development will mentor and encourage all to succeed by creating an empowered work environment. Background 10-plus years of professional experience and progressive growth in a nonprofit organization; demonstrated success in a development function (managing and forging relationships with multiple donor sources); being skilled at cultivating major gifts and planned gifts in a non-profit environment. Prior role in an animal welfare organization is not necessary; what is necessary is a passion for the mission of Dumb Friends League and the tangible experience of having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time. Accomplishments and Skills Record of effectively using a consensus and collaboration-based leadership style to meet and exceed organizational goals. Demonstrated ability to recognize and mobilize the potential of a diverse staff. A professional and resourceful style; the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time. Ability to construct, articulate, and implement annual strategic development plan. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships. Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives. Bachelor s degree is required; Master s degree or equivalent in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Health and Welfare, or related area is preferred. Personal Characteristics and Work Style Enthusiasm and energy to the Dumb Friends League mission, with a core passion for compassion in animal welfare to nurture exceptional outcomes. Demonstrated commitment to communication and team collaboration. Creative and curious; always open to new information, ideas and directions. Respectful, confident, thoughtful, and mindful management style; the ability to lead with strength and empathy, setting clear expectations and nurturing personal growth. Successful candidate must pass a background check process. 6
To Apply Vice President of Development Denver, CO Questions, résumés, and CVs should be sent to search@driconsulting.com All first-round interviews for this position will take place at 1820 North Fort Myer Drive in Arlington, VA or via telephone/video conference. DRi is an executive search and strategic consulting firm that places nonprofit leaders and works side-by-side with them to develop bold strategic plans, design powerful fundraising programs, and build talented staffs. Dumb Friends League is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is seeking a diverse slate of qualified candidates for formal consideration. 7