WHO WE ARE: We are more than a nonprofit organization. We are a ministry of service that includes nearly 600 paid professional employees dedicated to helping those we serve. We provide compassionate care today for flourishing communities tomorrow. Founded locally in 1911, VOA Northern California & Northern Nevada is one of the largest providers of social services in the region, delivering a broad range of community-based services that transform lives while meeting immediate needs of families, individuals, veterans, seniors, and youth. In fact, VOA-NCNN provides shelter or housing to over 3,500 men, women, and children every night.

OUR MISSION: VOA puts faith into action by providing compassionate human services to empower individuals and strengthen communities. VOA aspires to create a world in which every person lives a life of emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, filled with hope across Northern California & Northern Nevada.

PROGRAM AND LOCATION: VOA-NCNN, a Certified Great Place to Work, is recruiting for a full-time Development and Community Engagement Manager in Northern Nevada. Majority of time will be working on-site in a dynamic and evolving environment in our Reno programs. Full-time employees (working 30 or more hours a week) are eligible for a benefits package that includes paid holidays, vacation, sick pay, health, dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance coverage.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Development and Community Engagement Manager is responsible for developing and implementing a coordinated, donor- and community-centered strategy that advances philanthropic support, community engagement, organizational visibility, strategic partnerships, and in-kind contributions across Northern Nevada. Responsibilities include identifying, cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and retaining individual donors; developing in-kind resources and community support; engaging volunteers, businesses and community partners and promoting VOA’s mission, programs, and impact throughout the region. The Fundraising Manager builds strong, long-term relationships with supporters at all giving levels and works collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to strengthen community connections, expand resources, and increase awareness of VOA’s services. This is a hands-on, relationship-focused role that requires actively engaging with donors, community partners, staff, and programs in person and through direct outreach to cultivate and strengthen meaningful connections. Majority of time will be working on-site in a dynamic and evolving environment in our Reno programs. Occasionally the position will work remotely from home but only during designated periods. Work is performed in a cost-effective and service-oriented manner in accordance with established organizational standards.

OBJECTIVES/ACTIVITIES:

A. Fundraising, Community Engagement, and Resource Development - Responsible for performing daily activities to advance the organization’s fundraising, donor engagement, community visibility, and resource-development objectives across Northern Nevada.

1. Develop and implement a donor- and community-centered fundraising strategy to grow and retain the individual donor base and increase annual philanthropic revenue.
2. Identify, cultivate, solicit, steward, and retain individual donors across all giving levels, using appropriate relationship-management strategies, donor communications, and engagement opportunities.
3. Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospective donors, prioritizing relationship-building, donor retention, increased giving, and meaningful connection to VOA’s mission, programs, and impact.
4. Work collaboratively with the VP of Development and Marketing to establish annual fundraising goals, develop strategies to meet or exceed those goals, and monitor progress toward individual giving and in-kind support.
5. Partners with Development and program leadership to identify priority needs, communicate funding opportunities, and secure financial and in-kind resources that support essential services, program enhancements, and client needs.
6. Cultivate relationships with businesses, community organizations, civic groups, faith-based partners, volunteers, and other stakeholders to expand community support, increase in-kind donations, and strengthen strategic partnerships.
7. Collaborate with Marketing and Communications staff to develop high-quality donor communications, impact stories, campaign materials, reports, digital content, and recognition opportunities that keep donors and community partners informed and engaged.
8. Develop and implement donor-engagement strategies beyond direct mail, including personalized outreach, site visits, tours, community presentations, stewardship events, campaigns, and other opportunities to build long-term donor relationships.
9. Support the planning, promotion, sponsorship development, donor cultivation, and stewardship activities associated with VOA-hosted events and appropriate community events.
10. Serve as a visible VOA representative at signature events, community gatherings, partner meetings, and other public-facing opportunities; engage donors and stakeholders and facilitate meaningful connections to VOA programs, staff, and, when appropriate, program participants.
11. Maintain timely, accurate, and complete records of donor and prospective-donor contacts, gifts, pledges, interests, follow-up actions, and engagement activities in the donor database.
12. Work with the Development team to ensure donor records, acknowledgments, gift designations, reports, and stewardship activities accurately reflect donor intent, interactions, and program needs.
13. Monitor fundraising and engagement results; prepare or contribute to reports on revenue, donor activity, retention, pipeline development, event outcomes, in-kind contributions, and community partnership activity.
14. Ensure fundraising, donor engagement, volunteer/community interactions, and data-management practices comply with organizational policies, donor confidentiality requirements, ethical fundraising standards, and applicable regulations.
15. Perform other related duties as assigned.

B. Professional Development and Team Participation - Responsible for ongoing professional development and active participation in organizational activities.

1. Continually develop and enhance fundraising, donor-relations, community-engagement, database-management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
2. Stay informed of effective practices and trends in individual giving, donor stewardship, fundraising technology, community engagement, and nonprofit resource development.
3. Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, development and marketing meetings, cross-functional workgroups, and other required organizational meetings.
4. Participate in internal and external training, conferences, professional associations, and learning opportunities as appropriate to support continued professional growth and organizational goals.
5. Maintain a collaborative, service-oriented approach when working with donors, volunteers, community partners, program staff, leadership, and other stakeholders.

EQUIVALENT EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree is desired. Five to seven years of experience in fundraising with at least five years of proven success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors and corporate partners; including face-to-face relationship building and solicitation is required. Must have experience using a donor database to manage donor relationships, record and build donor interests, and identify prospects for increased giving potential. Demonstrated ability to request and obtain financial support and make 5 to 6 figure asks.  Fundraising certification is desired. Experience with human services nonprofits is preferred. The candidate must have a strong desire to work for an organization dealing with issues unique to homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health. A valid Nevada driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to meet the organization’s insurance carrier guidelines are required.

SPECIFIC SKILLS REQUIRED:

Proven knowledge and experience with making direct donor asks

Flexibility with working environments

Excellent oral and written communication

Strong organizational skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Demonstrated management skills

Even temperament and patience

Ability to multi-task and to respond quickly and positively to solve unexpected problems

Ability to meet goals and deadlines

Proficient with Google platforms

Teamwork skills

Ability to interact professionally with donors and clients

Demonstrated leadership skills

Analytical and decision-making ability

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Lift and move up to 30 pounds

Physically able to safely maneuver weight distribution for event set-ups

Stand, walk, bend, stoop, and sit frequently

Climb stairs as needed

Drive personal vehicle for business reasons as needed

Kneel occasionally