Job Description

DANNY & RON'S RESCUE

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Danny & Ron’s Rescue, a nationally and internationally recognized dog rescue, is seeking an experienced Director of Development & Community Relations to lead its Comprehensive Relationship-based Development and Community Relations Program. If you love dogs and want to be part of an exciting organization that has a unique and highly successful approach to dog rescue, this opportunity is for you!

Danny & Ron's Rescue holds as its Mission: “*_We support the welfare of all dogs. We rescue dogs into our home, embrace them as our own, and help them find forever homes.” _ The Rescue began in 2005 when Founders, Danny Robertshaw & Ron Danta, both highly respected in the Equestrian world, packed their horse trailers with supplies and headed to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina where they saved 600 abandoned and injured dogs, bringing them into their personal home, caring for them, and finding loving families. Seeing how well the dogs responded to this loving, family environment, Danny & Ron made a promise – a Lifetime Promise – that any dog that they would rescue would never live in a shelter, never be needy, and would never be without love. Danny & Ron's Rescue and their infamous Doghouse was born!*

Today, more than 15 years later, Danny & Ron have saved the lives of more than 14,000 dogs, adopting them to families throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Europe. Their unique approach, passion to save dogs, and personal life story is portrayed in the award-winning movie “Life in the Doghouse” which premiered in 2018 and is now currently ranked #1 Best Hollywood Dog Movie, according to the IMDb ratings. Four children's books of the same name followed, published by Simon and Schuster, to tell the stories of dogs they have saved to inspire a younger generation, and their new biographical book, "Forever Home," published by Harper Collins, was recently released and is receiving rave reviews.

Recognized worldwide, the Rescue continues to grow with new opportunities to expand programs, save more dogs, increase adoptions, and build awareness for the humane treatment of dogs. This has created a greater need for philanthropic support and community outreach and engagement. The Director of Development & Community Relations, a newly created position, will be responsible for securing this support so vital to programs and long-term sustainability of the mission.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Development & Community Relations is responsible for the advancement of the mission of Danny & Ron's Rescue through effective outreach and engagement of the general and philanthropic community on both a local and national basis. In concert with the Founders and Board, this professional will plan, manage, and lead a Relationship- based Development Program encompassing donor and prospect relations, major gifts, annual giving, legacy giving, foundation and grants activities, events, and other initiatives designed to build community engagement and secure philanthropic support.

This professional will report to the Founder/President of the Board, and will work directly with Board members and key stakeholders, volunteers, philanthropic and community leaders, groups and organizations to build and sustain relationships integral to the support of current programs and long-term sustainability of the mission. This professional supervises the Executive Assistant and, as a key member of the management team, works collaboratively and resourcefully with Rescue management team and staff.

The Rescue operates in two locations: Wellington, Florida and Camden, South Carolina. Renowned equestrians, Danny and Ron operate out of Wellington, FL during the months of December to April. The Director, Development and
Community Relations must be willing to travel to Wellington during this period as major fundraising events and other significant outreach activities occur at that time. Additionally, this professional will also be expected to travel to "The Doghouse" in South Carolina, and to other locations for activities and events that feature the Rescue.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning & Management:

▪ Development: Plans and leads a comprehensive Relationship-based Development and Community Relations Program to advance the philanthropic position of the Rescue on both a local and national level through a comprehensive scope of development and community relations initiatives including major gifts, annual giving, legacy giving, foundation and grants development, events, donor and prospect relations, and community outreach.

▪ Community Relations: Identifies outreach opportunities and makes presentations to various audiences including businesses, community organizations, animal welfare groups, schools, churches and professional and civic groups; participates in the engagement of volunteers to serve in various capacities to advance the educational, programmatic, and philanthropic goals of the Rescue.

▪ Management & Operations: Manages and monitors all activities related to the status of Development activities toward achievement of goals including: donor, prospect, and volunteer relations; stewardship and donor recognition activities; gift and pledge management; and reporting functions. Prepares the annual budget for the Development and Community Relations Program, monitors compliance, operates within budget guidelines, and reports variances to the President.

▪ Reporting Activities: Meets routinely with the President and Board members, attends Board and committee meetings, and provides reports regarding current activities and the overall status toward goals.

▪ Supervision: Supervises staff, performs regular performance evaluations, creates a positive working environment, promotes open communications, and facilitates a team approach toward the accomplishment of goals.

▪ Professional Liaison: Works in collaboration with consultants, financial, and legal advisors as required to assure that donor needs and organizational goals are achieved.

Development & Community Outreach Activities:

▪ Case for Support: Works with the President to identify overall and specific funding priorities, goals, and initiatives and writes compelling and inspirational Case Statements based on same; develops materials and presents Case as appropriate during cultivation, solicitation, and community outreach meetings.

▪ Major Gifts: Works with the President, Board, and others to plan and execute a major gift program including prospect identification, research and evaluation, and targeted cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.

▪ Legacy Giving: Works in collaboration with financial and legal advisors to establish and manage a Legacy Giving Program including materials, messaging, and policies for the recognition, stewardship, and management of planned and legacy gifts; identifies, researches, and develops strategies to cultivate legacy gift prospects.

▪ Foundation & Corporate Grants: Oversees cultivation and solicitation activities directed to foundations, individuals, and granting agencies including research, preparation of proposals, presentations, and reports; works with the President, Board, and others for the engagement and cultivation of key funders, trustees, and representatives.

▪ Events & Activities: Works with committees and volunteers to plan and execute events and other activities focused on increasing awareness and engagement of the general and philanthropic community, cultivation of prospects and donors, and increased support for programs and services.

▪ Prospect Research: Oversees prospect research functions including the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date prospect files for individuals, corporations, foundations, and groups who have the ability or inclination to support the Rescue, especially at a major gift level.

▪ C*_ultivation & Solicitation:*_ Identifies prospects, develops cultivation plans and conducts lunches, meetings, and other cultivation activities for potential donors, and participates in gift solicitation activities as appropriate; works with the Director of Marketing to prepare cultivation and solicitation materials including case statements, proposals, solicitation materials, and other collateral as needed.

▪ Donor Stewardships: Maintains an ongoing donor relations and stewardship program with emphasis on major gift development; conducts personal visits, schedules meetings, makes personal calls, produces correspondence, and other forms of donor communication.

▪ Donor Recognition: Develops donor recognition strategies, identifies potential recognition opportunities for various interest areas, activities, and levels of giving.

▪ G*_ift Processing:*_ Establishes and enforces policies and procedures for the proper receipt, acknowledgment, and posting of charitable gifts, assures the timely acknowledgment of gifts, and assures accuracy of donor files.

▪ Gift/Donor Reports: Works with Executive Assistant to assure that gifts are entered appropriately into donor database including donor and solicitation classifications and other relevant gift and donor data to assure accuracy of reports, identification of trends, and information related to prospect and donor contact tracking and stewardship.

Professional:

▪ C*_ommunity Representation:*_ Serves as a representative of the Rescue in the community, participates in community events, makes presentations, seeks involvement in professional and civic organizations, and identifies opportunities to strengthen the presence of the Recue in the community.

▪ Ethics & Professional Standards: Maintains a professional demeanor in dress and behavior, treats people with respect & dignity, maintains all donor and prospect information in the strictest confidence.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & ABILITIES

▪ A love of dogs and deep passion and commitment to the mission of Danny & Ron's Rescue, and the humane treatment of animals.

▪ Knowledge and experience in the management of a Comprehensive Development Program and implementation of a full cadre of Development and community outreach initiatives.

▪ Effectiveness in the initiation, development, and stewardship of relationships with donors, volunteers, prospects and other key stakeholders using both traditional and innovative strategies to achieve goals.

▪ Ability to network and develop collaborative relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders, donors, philanthropists, businesses, organizations, animal advocacy groups, and private and public sector leaders.

▪ A visionary approach and ability to communicate and inspire others to understand, embrace, and engage in the work of the Rescue as donors, volunteers, and community partners.

▪ A core values-driven management style in working with staff and volunteers that demonstrates a deep respect for the value and worth of each person as an individual and member of a team.

▪ A personal commitment to honor diversity in our society as demonstrated by word and action.

▪ Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and ability to inspire, influence, engage and sustain relationships with others for the advancement of the mission.

▪ An innovative, creative, and strategic thinker, and the ability to develop, implement, and manage strategies that inspire others toward goal achievement.

▪ Highly-driven and results-oriented; mature and professional in action and demeanor.

▪ Strong organizational and time management skills, with attention to detail.

▪ Demonstration of the highest standards of professionalism in behavior and demeaner to reflect the mission and values of the Rescue to the community.

REQUIREMENTS:

▪ Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree preferred.

▪ A minimum of 3-5 years of progressive leadership and management responsibilities, and demonstrated achievements in working with Boards, volunteers, donors, and key stakeholders for the achievement of goals.

▪ Demonstrated experience with Relationship-based Development and Community Relations activities with emphasis on the cultivation and building of relationships with major donors, individuals, foundations, corporations, organizations, groups and other funding sources.

▪ Demonstrated communication skills with various constituencies, including both internal and external audiences.

▪ Demonstrated experience in building teams, partnerships, and other collaborative ventures and relationships.

▪ Strong written and verbal skills are essential.

▪ Strong management skills and business acumen, including knowledge of standards of business practices, business computer programs, and donor and gift management software. Experience with Kindful CRM is a plus.

▪ Willing to travel to Recue locations in Camden, South Carolina and Wellington, Florida, as well as other locations as needed to advance the philanthropic and community outreach initiatives of the Rescue.

▪ A strong sense of integrity, wisdom, responsibility, good judgement, and a high-level of emotional intelligence.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applications will be accepted online. Send resume & cover letters directly to Indeed.

Danny & Ron’s Rescue is an Equal Opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Experience:

• Fundraising: 1 year (Preferred)
• Microsoft Office: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

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