Development Director of Non-Profit Persona

Role of The Development Director

Job Title(s): Development Director, Director of Development, Fundraising Director
Department: Development/Fundraising
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Executive Director or Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Responsibilities:

• Developing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies to meet organizational goals.
• Cultivating and maintaining relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations.
• Overseeing grant writing and submission processes, ensuring compliance with grant requirements.
• Organizing fundraising events and campaigns to engage the community and increase donor participation.
• Managing a development team, including training and mentoring staff in fundraising best practices.
• Analyzing fundraising data and reporting on progress to the board and stakeholders.
  Key Performance Indicators:
• Total funds raised compared to fundraising goals.
• Number of new donors acquired and retention rate of existing donors.
• Success rate of grant applications submitted.
• Attendance and revenue generated from fundraising events.
• Donor engagement and satisfaction levels.

Additional Persona Notes: Focused on building long-term relationships with supporters and stakeholders. Requires tools for donor management, fundraising analytics, and event planning.

Goals of A Development Director

Primary Goals:

• Increase overall fundraising revenue through diverse streams.
• Strengthen relationships with existing donors and cultivate new donor prospects.
• Enhance visibility and awareness of the organization within the community.

Secondary Goals:

• Develop and implement effective grant writing strategies to secure funding.
• Organize successful fundraising events that engage the community.
• Improve donor retention rates and increase average donation size.

Success Metrics:

• 15% increase in total fundraising revenue year-over-year.
• 20% growth in the number of active donors.
• Achieve a 25% increase in attendance at fundraising events.
• Secure at least 5 new grants annually with a minimum funding amount.
• 75% donor retention rate for recurring donations.

Primary Challenges:

• Securing consistent funding and donor support.
• Building and maintaining relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Navigating complex grant application processes.

Secondary Challenges:

• Competing with other organizations for limited resources.
• Keeping up with changing regulations and compliance requirements.
• Managing volunteer engagement and retention.

Pain Points:

• Limited resources to implement effective fundraising strategies.
• Balancing time between donor relations and administrative tasks.
• Difficulty in measuring the impact of fundraising efforts on organizational goals.

Primary Motivations:

• Securing funding to support the organization’s mission.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Raising awareness about the organization’s impact in the community.

Secondary Motivations:

• Enhancing the organization’s reputation and visibility.
• Developing sustainable funding strategies for long-term success.
• Empowering team members and volunteers through effective leadership.

Drivers:

• Passion for the non-profit’s cause and its impact on the community.
• Commitment to social change and making a difference in people’s lives.
• Desire to foster a culture of philanthropy within the organization.

Primary Objections:

• Limited budget for fundraising tools and resources.
• Concerns about the effectiveness of new fundraising strategies.
• Fear of alienating existing donors with new approaches.

Secondary Objections:

• Lack of staff capacity to implement and manage new initiatives.
• Uncertainty about the return on investment for new fundraising technologies.
• Difficulty in measuring the impact of new donor engagement methods.

Concerns:

• Maintaining strong relationships with current donors while pursuing new ones.
• Ensuring compliance with fundraising regulations and donor privacy.
• Balancing immediate fundraising needs with long-term sustainability.

Preferred Communication Channels:

• Email for official communications and donor outreach.
• Social media for networking and engaging with potential donors.
• In-person meetings for building relationships with major donors and stakeholders.
• Video conferencing for remote discussions and presentations.
• Newsletters to keep supporters informed about the organization’s impact and initiatives.

Information Sources:

• Non-profit industry publications and newsletters.
• Grant databases and funding opportunity websites.
• Networking events and conferences focused on fundraising and development.
• Webinars and online courses on fundraising strategies and donor engagement.
• Peer organizations and case studies for best practices in development.

Influencers:

• Philanthropists and major donors in the community.
• Non-profit sector leaders and thought leaders.
• Grant-making organizations and foundations.
• Consultants specializing in non-profit fundraising strategies.
• Board members with extensive networks and influence.

Key Messages:

• Foster community engagement through impactful programs.
• Build lasting relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Maximize resources to drive mission success.
• Communicate the impact of donations effectively.
• Encourage sustainable giving for long-term support.

Tone:

• Passionate and mission-driven.
• Empathetic and understanding.
• Professional and results-oriented.

Style:

• Persuasive and compelling.
• Personal and relatable.
• Data-informed and transparent.

Online Sources:

• Chronicle of Philanthropy
• Nonprofit Quarterly
• GuideStar
• Network for Good
• Classy

Offline Sources:

• Fundraising conferences and workshops
• Local community foundation meetings
• Networking events with other non-profit leaders
• Board meetings and strategic planning sessions

Industry Sources:

• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
• National Council of Nonprofits
• Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
• Independent Sector