Director of Development

Director of Development

American Academy of Optometry Winter Park, Florida, United States

Description:

REPORTS TO: American Academy of Optometry Foundation Chief Executive Officer

SUPERVISES: Manager, Programs and Donor Relations

MAIN

PURPOSE:

The Director of Development works closely with the AAOF Board of Directors

to identify, engage and cultivate significant individual donations, major gifts, and planned gifts. The

Director will primarily solicit individual donors for financial support, as well as work with the AAO

Director of Corporate Relations to prepare proposals to corporate charitable giving divisions for funding

of AAOF programs. Responsible for managing the fundraising efforts of the organization, including but

not limited to, prospecting, donor campaign development and management, relationship cultivation, donor

recognition, annual gifts, grant writing, budget development and management, and special events

management. With Manager, Programs and Donor Relations, coordinates and manages recognition and

stewardship activities designed to increase awareness and support of the AAOF and AAO to build and

strengthen relationships with donors and donor prospects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the Board of Directors to develop a strategic approach for fundraising. Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive and proactive development plan focused on expanding and enhancing Foundation relationships and funding.
• Work with Board members to identify, engage, cultivate and solicit major gift prospects and donors by establishing long-term partnerships and strengthening existing relationships with individuals and corporate donors that result in funding for immediate and long-term goals of the Foundation.
• Develop and maintain a fundraising library for use by the Board of Directors including videos, email templates, and other visual resources. Actively promote use of resource library to achieve organizational fundraising goals.
• Work with the Board of Directors to set expectations, motivate and meet approved goals.

• Work with the CEO for major gift and industry fund raising.
• Work with CEO and CFO/Deputy CEO to develop, implement and review strategic goals as approved.
• Work with CEO and CFO/Deputy CEO to develop and manage the annual budget in partnership with Foundation Secretary/Treasurer and Board of Directors.

• Partner with the marketing department and Manager, Programs and Donor Relations, to develop and manage a proactive and comprehensive communications plan.
• Work with Manager, Programs and Donor Relations to provide content for the website and webbased newsletters, the annual report, and print communications. Ensure that all digital materials are kept current.
• Develop direct response campaigns and appeals, and strategically deliver segmented communications.
• Ensure that all new pledges and fully paid pledges are acknowledged by Foundation leadership, including Foundation President and CEO.

• Use an entrepreneurial approach to create and maintain a qualified prospect pipeline for the Board of Directors and CEO.
• Conduct research on prospective individuals and corporate foundations.
• Responsible for preparing proposals and reports for foundations, major gift donors, and others as assigned.
• ? Responsible for preparing letters of agreement and terms for pledges and research commitments.
• Responsible for preparing letters of agreement and terms for pledges and research commitments.
• Serve as staff liaison to committees and task forces as assigned.
• Responsible for oversight of Foundation activities including grants, awards and programs.
• Supports efforts of Director, Corporate Relations to secure funds to support all Foundation programs including Clinical Investigator Certification, Staff Training Fundamentals, Clinical Podcast Series and others.
• Assist in managing the grants application process. This includes writing grants, submitting grant proposals and letters of request, creating and monitoring grant budgets, outcomes reporting, and budget reconciliation for fund raising efforts of the Foundation.
• Responsible for evaluating the strengths of existing programs and identifying opportunities for improvement with a goal of elevating development programs to higher performance levels across all metrics.
• Responsible for managing and maintaining the CIC database and providing support to the CIC program in conjunction with the Manager, Programs and Donor Relations.
• With the Manager, Programs and Donor Relations, oversee planning and execution of all Foundation events and activities during the Academy annual meeting including:
  • AAOF Celebration of Giving (major gift reception)
  • CIC graduation/industry networking reception
  • Future Focus on Optometry
  • VSP scholarship reception
  • AAOF Awards luncheon
• Responsible for organizing and staffing the Foundation booth in the exhibit hall during the Academy annual meeting.
• In…