The Organization
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’s (SFGMC) mission is to lead by creating extraordinary music and experiences that build community, inspire activism, and foster compassion at home and around the world. Founded in 1978, SFGMC sparked a nationwide LGBTQ choral movement after its first public performance at a vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since then, SFGMC has been embedded in the fabric of San Francisco. It has soothed souls in pain, lifted spirits in triumph, and has remained a steadfast beacon of hope. While SFGMC has performed in some of the world’s most revered opera houses, concert halls, and performing arts venues it has not had a permanent home in San Francisco until recently when SFGMC established the Chan National Queer Arts Center.
Position Overview
The Director of Development (DoD) has overall responsibility for achieving the organization’s fundraising goals, maintaining and deepening SFGMC’s authentic relationships and reputation in ways that reflect and are aligned with our organizational values. As an integral member of the Leadership Team, the DoD will help maintain overall organizational health and effectiveness, while achieving specific departmental goals that advance SFGMC’s Strategic Plan, Capital Campaign, and the Chan National Queer Arts Center. He/she/they will creatively and effectively utilize every organizational asset to secure charitable contributions and other revenues, providing vision and outlining strategy to ensure adequate and growing financial resources, and maintaining a high level of community engagement.
The DoD will be a high-impact leader and cultural influencer within the organization that contributes to a healthy, transparent culture that values creativity, curiosity, courage, and joy. In addition to providing emotionally intelligent leadership to a team of three, the DoD will create meaningful relationships that allow them to coach and motivate board members and other ambassadors who participate in the cultivation and stewardship of our community.
The DoD will develop innovative, values-aligned ways to increase donor engagement, giving, and retention and will personally manage a robust portfolio aimed at significantly increasing major gift support.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Management
- The DoD has primary responsibility for designing and overseeing the implementation of an innovative, comprehensive, multi-year Fundraising Plan that that maximizes current and new revenue streams and supports SFGMC’s ambitious Strategic Plan, Capital Campaign, and the Chan National Queer Arts Center
- Execute major gifts and planned-giving programs, including identification of prospects and cultivation, solicitation and authentic stewardship of donors; engage with donors year-round, recognizing impact of gifts, communicating results, inspiring involvement, and ensuring quality experiences.
- Plan, supervise, and grow SFGMC’s annual giving program in close coordination with our marketing team, including direct mail, digital, peer-to-peer campaigns, along with designing and implementing a robust stewardship and donor engagement program
- Strategize and supervise an active institutional giving program comprised of public funding, private foundations, and corporate partnerships including relationship-building, stewardship, application calendar and reporting cycles
- Plan and attend Development Committee meetings and events as well as Chorus rehearsals. Occasionally attend and participate in the Nominating Committee, Finance Committee, and general Board meetings as needed.
Visionary Leadership
- Bring fresh approaches to problem solving and challenge ideas by posing questions, thinking broadly, listening deeply, and providing focus on strategy; Utilize strong organizational skills to implement comprehensive and consistent systems for departmental activities
- Identify and engage program partnerships and strategic alliances that will extend SFGMC’s brand and increase avenues of support; negotiate, close, and administer partnership agreements; ensure fulfillment of deliverables
Data Driven and Emotionally Intelligent Fundraising
- Optimize fundraising operations to facilitate strong and enduring donor relationships, including gift entry, acknowledgement processes, authentic donor stewardship, tracking donor activities and notes in Salesforce/Patron Manager, as well as using metrics and optimizing online donation platforms including GiveSmart to increase fundraising revenue
- Strategically research and propose sponsorship opportunities and community outreach events that elevate SFGMC’s profile and brand awareness.
Values Driven Relationship Management
- Identify meaningful ways for Board members to participate in revenue-generating activities, including deploying them for major gift and strategic partnership relationship-building, stewardships of donors, elected officials, and partners, as well as conducting ambassador trainings, network mapping sessions, and the creation of individual development plans and accountability for each board member annually
- Expand SFGMC’s already strong donor pipeline by leveraging the relationships of our Leadership Team, Staff, and Singers through strategies including earned revenue, peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, and stewardship opportunities
QUALIFICATIONS
- A passion for the Arts, LGBTQ+ rights, and advancing the work of SFGMC, and aligned with SFGMC’s core values
- 8-10 years experience in non-profit fundraising in organizations with budgets of up to $5-10M and demonstrated success working in concert with non-profit Board members and volunteers
- A proven track record in major gifts, annual giving, special events, and/or donor relations and stewardship
- Relevant work history demonstrating senior-level leadership and management experience
- Comprehensive knowledge of technologies supporting nonprofit fundraising and marketing, including database, analytical tools and emerging media, Salesforce experience highly desirable
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information effectively and confidentially, excellent written and verbal skills.
- Self-directed and proactive; holds one’s self accountable.
- A strong customer focus and service orientation
- Familiarity with the LGBTQ community and related social/political issues is highly desirable, as is a track record of fundraising amongst LGBTQ donors
Responsibilities of all SFGMC Employees:
The position is based in the San Francisco Bay Area (no exceptions). Full-time hours are 10am to 6pm. Participation in early morning, evening, and weekend meetings and events will be required as needed. Working from home is allowed occasionally as needed. Work is performed typically in an office environment and a variety of settings among diverse stakeholders and audiences. A considerable amount of time will be spent in meetings, at a computer screen for extended periods, at events, and visiting dispersed program sites. Frequent use of electronic media will be required to communicate with stakeholders. The DoD will frequently work outside normal working hours and will require transportation to events and meetings with donors and other stakeholders in the community. Occasional travel out of town and out of state may be necessary. Comprehensive performance evaluations will be conducted.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit for long periods of time, talk, hear, write, operate a keyboard, have the visual acuity to read small print and view a computer monitor, reach to the top of a five drawer filing cabinet and lift boxes of no more than 30 lbs. The employee is required to interact with members, volunteers, donors, visitors, and the public both indoors and outdoors.
Employment Practices:
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law (such as cancer), genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs and general treatment during employment.
How To Apply
Please email your resume to lauren.bernstein@sfgmc.org with the subject line “Application: Director of Development” by May 20, 2023. If the deadline has passed, please reach out to confirm whether we are still accepting applications.