Chief Philanthropy Officer

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Established in 1993, NWACS is a private, non-profit organization. Our 32-bed, state-of-the-art residential Shelter provides 24-hour emergency care for children throughout Arkansas who are victims of abandonment, abuse or neglect. Building on three decades of experience working with children and trauma, in 2020 our work expanded with the opening of Hope Academy, the first trauma-centered open enrollment charter school in the state of Arkansas. Our work centers around positive trauma-informed practices and takes a comprehensive, whole child approach to care and education; creating a stable, safe and loving environment in which the hundreds of children who walk through our doors each year can begin to heal. 

OUR VALUES: 

Head: We foster a culture of strategy and innovation.

Heart: We serve our children, families and staff with compassion and dedication.

Hands: We work collaboratively and respectfully, striving for excellence in all we do.

Hope: We provide the foundation for a better tomorrow.

THE POSITION: 

As Chief Philanthropy Officer, you will lead our organization’s philanthropic efforts, focusing on building donor and stakeholder relationships to advance our mission and secure funding. Overseeing a team in fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, and events, you’ll ensure alignment with our values. You’ll collaborate with senior leadership to craft strategies for revenue growth and sustainability. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills, a successful fundraising track record in the nonprofit sector, and a commitment to positive social impact. You’ll work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Board to set and achieve mission-driven fundraising goals.

Key Responsibilities

To include but not limited to the following:

• Maintain a personal portfolio of high-net-worth individual and corporate donors.
• Lead and manage a team of development professionals.
• Act as the primary relationship manager for this portfolio, developing and executing a written strategy and maintaining detailed relationship records.
• Engage with portfolio members through in-person meetings, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, ensuring each donor and prospect has a defined strategy and timeline for engagement.
• Plan and execute NWACS annual fundraising events to meet revenue and engagement goals.
• Oversee high-quality engagement experiences for corporate partners.
• Collaborate with department directors to create and manage budgets, tracking and reporting progress toward goals.
• Oversee all development-related materials in coordination with the community engagement department.
• Ensure proper donor recognition in publications and maintain accurate donor listings.
• Manage data entry in fundraising software, oversee gift acknowledgments, and ensure compliance with tax documentation requirements.
• Provide strategic leadership to develop and sustain a meaningful development plan that supports both short- and long-term initiatives, adjusting to changing needs and resources at NWA Children's Shelter.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, or philanthropy, preferably within a non-profit organization.
  • Proven track record of successfully managing major gift programs, corporate giving, planned giving, or capital campaigns.
  • Minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role, such as Director of Development, VP of Philanthropy, or similar position with oversight of fundraising teams.
• Fundraising Expertise:
  • Demonstrated success in securing and managing major gifts, grants, and donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
  • Experience developing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies that align with organizational goals and mission.
  • Strong understanding of philanthropy best practices, donor cultivation and stewardship, and donor management systems (experience with CRM software is a plus).
• Leadership and Management Skills:
  • Proven leadership skills with experience in managing, coaching, and developing high-performing teams.
  • Experience collaborating with executive leadership, board members, and external stakeholders.
  • Strategic mindset with the ability to build and execute long-term philanthropy plans and goals.
• Skills and Abilities:
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage, inspire, and cultivate relationships with diverse audiences.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Analytical skills to assess fundraising data, develop insights, and adjust strategies as necessary.
• Mission Alignment:

Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of the non-profit sector and the organization’s mission.
Ability to represent the organization with passion, credibility, and professionalism in various public and private settings.
 

Preferred Qualifications :

• Certification in Fundraising (e.g., CFRE - Certified Fundraising Executive) or a similar credential.
• Experience with budget oversight and financial management in a fundraising or non-profit context.
• Master’s degree or equivalent advanced education in a related field is preferred but not required.

Working Conditions and Environment/Physical Demands
The demands described are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Tasks may involve walking, standing, climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching, and lifting for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must pass all criminal history and child maltreatment background checks.
• Must submit to pre-employment a drug screen as well as random drug screens when directed.
• Valid driver's license, proof of personal automobile insurance, and acceptable driving record required to drive shelter vehicles for shelter business.
• Must maintain confidentiality and privacy regarding all Children’s Shelter residents' information in accordance with NWACS policy and all applicable Federal and state laws/regulations.
• Attend and participate in mandatory training, staff meetings, and all other events, as required.
• Set, maintain, and communicate appropriate personal and professional boundaries.
• Complete all required documentation in a timely manner per NWACS procedures.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it.  Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.