Director of Donor Growth

General Qualifications:

The Director of Donor Growth is a Ministerial position. Ministerial staff are mature followers of Jesus, still growing and developing in their faith. They render their work, stewardship, relationships and behavior as evidence of being followers of Jesus Christ while embracing and affirming Mount Hermon Association, Inc.’s (“MHA”) mission, vision, values and beliefs. They are responsible for defining, cultivating and leading MHA’s Christian community, conference programs and retreats.

Position Objective:

The Director of Donor Growth provides strategic leadership for cultivating and expanding financial support for Mount Hermon Association, with special focus to the Kidder Creek region. This role is responsible for developing and executing donor engagement strategies, managing a portfolio of major gift prospects, and achieving measurable fundraising goals in alignment with MHA’s mission, vision, and values. Success is measured by revenue growth, portfolio development, and long-term donor relationship expansion.

Key Job Accountabilities:

• Report to the VP of Advancement and work collaboratively with the entire Advancement Team including the CEO and the Head of Marketing who each serve in specialized yet unique capacities with the Mount Hermon Advancement Team.
• Responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation strategies and stewardship of gifts (including a particular emphasis on major gifts) from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Identify, cultivate and steward major gift prospects and donors, thus building a strong pipeline of future gifts while meeting short term goals.
• Independently manages a portfolio of major donor relationships, developing and executing individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies through in-person engagement.
• Through personal visits connect with major donors. Establish relationship, learn the donor’s personal Mount Hermon story and family dynamics (to be captured in Salesforce software) and then score the relationship accordingly.
• Create and implement best practices to increase overall donor growth with focused attention on Kidder Creek donors.
• Identify and connect with existing MHA Donors, Associates and Alum to cultivate ministry partnerships and support.
• Create a written plan for each major donor designed to move the relationship in measurably deeper ways.
• Prepare annual funding goals and detailed plans of action then works creatively to meet or exceed these specific, agreed upon goals.
  • Works closely with Director of Strategic Funding to ensure full alignment.
• Provide input for Mount Hermon donor care strategies to create a unique donor experience through focused engagement, events and communications to connect in a deeper way with major, mid-level, and new donors.
  • Works closely with Director of Donor Care to ensure full alignment with all Donor communications.
• The Director of Donor Growth is expected to meet regularly with donors (face to face).
• While the primary office of this position will be at Mount Hermon in Santa Cruz County, this individual should expect to be on the road a significant portion of the year developing new donor relationships in Oregon, California, and other states, as needed.
• Serve as the primary advancement presence at Kidder Creek for summer programs and events year around. The criteria for success will be based on specific goals tied to measurable growth in numbers and overall gift income from this region.
• Creatively respond to the ministry’s changing needs in the area of Advancement.
• Other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Advancement.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Education/Certifications/Licenses:

• Bachelor of Arts preferred.

Work Experience:

• 3-5 years working directly with/at Mount Hermon or connection with the larger ecosystem of Christian Camping ministry.
• Experience or certification in donor software, preferably Sales Force
• A history of connection or experience with Bay Area Christian organizations such as key church relationships and/or leaders within the greater Bay Area faith-based community.
• Experience with interacting with Kingdom-influencers and high-capacity individuals/couples.
• Experience in dealing with significant travel arrangements and how to best prioritize specific visits. Meaning, having an "anchor" visit which is mission critical to be booked first and then organizing the day/travel days around 1-3 key donor visits.
• A demonstration of initiative in lifelong learning.
• Storytelling history/experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work on a very collaborative, fast-paced, and opportunistic ministry team.
• A “self-starter” with the high energy needed for discovery calls designed to grow our donor family.
• Ability to gain the respect and support of various constituencies: existing and potential new donors, alum of all ages, board members and staff.
• Excellent networking skills.
• Meeting deadlines combined with superior communication skills are required, including verbal, written and presentation.
• Requires minimal direct day-to-day supervision since they possess a high level of independent initiative and judgment.
• Provides prompt response to request for information.
• Provides complete, concise and accurate information as required or requested.
• Meets agreed-upon deadlines or notifies promptly if deadlines cannot be met.
• Returns phone calls and emails promptly (within 1 business day).
• Demonstrates candor and respect in individual and organizational relationships.

Physical Demands:

• Requires the ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and through electronic communication platforms; ability to perceive, interpret, and respond to verbal and non-verbal communication in professional settings; reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law
• Requires sitting, standing, squatting, stooping, twisting, and the ability to lift/carry 40+ lbs.
• Requires the ability, desire, and experience to travel extensively when needed.

Additional Requirements:

• Adherence to the basic principles as expressed in MHA’s Mission, Vision, Values and Commitment statements.

• Able to clearly articulate the vision, mission, and future of Mount Hermon in a compelling way to both current constituents and those who have never heard of this ministry.

• Adherence to company dress code and professional standards for personal grooming and appearance.

• Must agree to and comply with MHA’s employee driving guidelines for MHA-owned vehicles and personal vehicles for business purposes.

• Satisfactory completion of background investigation, as well as ability to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

• For positions requiring driving, a valid driver’s license and satisfactory motor vehicle record are also required.

• This job description reflects essential functions of this position. It does not restrict management’s right to reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.