Development Director

About The Role

The BrandLab

The BrandLab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Minneapolis, MN, Milwaukee, WI, and Kansas City, MO, introducing exciting training and connecting young people ages 15-25 to careers in the marketing and advertising industry.

Our offices are unique because each of our three locations resides inside a marketing or advertising agency. These agencies provide our team with office space, basic infrastructure, and support for The BrandLab for a minimum of one year to ensure The BrandLab is supported by a broad-based coalition and not only one agency. In addition, this unique approach to office space helps us create strong community support for our mission to benefit the industry and provides our team with a bright, lively work environment – that often hosts free food and lots of fun.

Since 2009, The BrandLab has worked towards creating a more equitable and inclusive industry. The BrandLab works to change the industry by introducing and connecting young people who identify as a person of color to opportunities in the creative and marketing space. Additionally, we work with the industry to create more inclusive and equitable work environments so individuals can feel a sense of belonging and thrive once they arrive.

Vision
We envision People of Color launching sustainable careers in workplaces of inclusivity and belonging.
Mission
To change the face and voice of the marketing and advertising industry.
Core Values
Our core values are written as action words. We don’t believe in ‘culture fit’ but look for all team members to actively embrace and work to embody these values.
● BE AUTHENTIC – Foster a culture focused on relationships with our talent and team that are rooted in honesty, empathy, consistency, and passion.
● BE INCLUSIVE – Courageously commit to learning and unlearning that encourages and supports our team and talent.
● BE VISIONARY – Intentionally listen and learn to inspire the creative evolution of our work with our talent and team.
● BE A CATALYST – Create connections that cultivate the full potential of our talent and our team personally and professionally.

Job Summary
The National Development Director role will be an ideal fit for an outgoing self-starter who enjoys building new relationships and extending existing relationships. The role will work with the CEO and local market Executive Directors to achieve goals annually.

The National Development Director is responsible for developing and implementing a fundraising strategy and development outreach plan for The BrandLab across all three markets. Responsibilities include annual campaigns, donor cultivation, volunteer engagement, and community collaboration. In addition, the role will leverage key relationships and contacts within markets that the BrandLab operates in (currently Twin Cities, Kansas City, and Milwaukee).

The National Development Director is also responsible for creating and implementing fund development activities to support our annual events. And will oversee the grant process with freelance grant writers.

This individual must be committed to The BrandLab’s mission of changing the face and voice of the marketing industry and actively embracing our core values.

We are looking for someone who can plan, coordinate, and ensure the implementation of strategies to develop individual and corporate donors and contributions to support the organization. Assures development and maintenance of appropriate systems to fund development, including but not limited to donor management, research, cultivation, gift processing, and recognition. Maintains accountability and compliance standards for donors and funding sources.

Fundraising Development (70%)
● Develop annual and long-range fundraising plans for the organization in partnership with the CEO
● Building systems around annual giving, which are grounded in monthly recurring gifts
● Execute overall development efforts to raise annual budget goals across revenue streams.
● Cultivate relationships across donor groups.
● Solicit and steward major gifts with the board, CEO, and Executive Directors.
● Understand TBL program success and opportunities to match donations to programs.
● Generate fundraising dollars through corporate sponsors for fundraising events with event support from the marketing team members and volunteers.
● Develop a grant narrative with the CEO, build relationships with foundations, identify grant opportunities, and oversee the grant writing process executed by contract grant writers.

Relationship Development (30%)
● Building relationships for leadership gift programs
● Comfortable developing major gift programs
● Comfortable in facilitating the visit
● Comfortable making an ask and supporting Executive Directors to become more comfortable with making an ask.
● Comfortable in various circles with people Leadership
● Oversee external grant writers
● Identify system needs required to strengthen fundraising operations
● Support the database development by providing the nonprofit side of database development
● In year 2: recruit, retain, and grow the internal team to support fundraising initiatives and meet growth targets effectively.

Qualifications
● Passionate about our mission of creating radical change
● 5-8 years minimum experience in fundraising operations, including the nature and dimensions of philanthropy, ethics, motivations for giving and volunteering, research, and cultivation practices; standard fundraising techniques including face-to-face solicitation, direct mail, and development office functions including gift processing, prospect and donor histories, and fundraising reporting
● Experience using CRM and Wealth Screening Software
● Must have excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
● Persuasive and strategic communicator with evidence of excellent written and verbal communication skills
● Proven track record of building relationships and systems to achieve revenue goals
● Track record of closing gifts of $10,000 or more
● Experience working with senior-level executives (C-level/VP)
● Thorough understanding of all components of a diversified nonprofit funding base
● Positive, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and collaboration
● Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate, and manage new donors
● A high degree of initiative
● Strong partnership skills

Benefits
● Competitive benefits package (health benefits, HSA, options for dental coverage. Retirement plan with company matching)
● Flexible work schedule and time-off policy
● Flexible work location with a desk inside a fun, energetic advertising industry
● Professional development opportunities

Salary range & location
● $85-100k (dependent on experience)
● Twin Cities, Minnesota

The BrandLab is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact details

• Submit your application
• Company website
• Contact email: rosa@colorfulconnections.com