German Centre Chief Development Officer Overview

www.germancentre.org October 2023

Position Overview

Chief Development Officer The German Centre West Roxbury, MA

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Introduction The German Centre, one of Boston’s leading nonprofit care providers for aging adults, seeks a visionary and experienced fundraising professional to serve as its Chief Development Officer (CDO), designing and implementing a best-practice, resultsoriented development program that supports the Centre’s 110-year legacy of caring for its community. Founded as Deutsches Altenheim, Inc. in 1914 to serve as a retirement residence for elderly German Americans, the German Centre of today is a $20-million organization offering excellence in skilled nursing care and senior living opportunities to individuals of every ethnicity, religion, and background, helping them achieve and maintain their maximum level of dignity and independence.

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Since its inception, the German Centre has been a beloved community partner serving generations of area residents through unwavering compassion and a commitment to excellence in providing life-enhancing care for seniors and their families. The CDO has a tremendous opportunity to leverage the Centre’s sterling reputation to unlock its fundraising potential through creative, front-line fundraising and relationship management.

The Organization As a highly-rated eldercare organization, the German Centre is committed to meeting the evolving needs of older adults, providing life-enhancing services through outstanding skilled nursing care, assisted living opportunities, and adult day services. While honoring the Centre’s historic commitment to preserving the traditions of a German cultural environment, the Centre remains true to its founding principle of providing care in a warm, trusted, home-like environment.

Located on a picturesque 14 acres in West Roxbury, just 10 miles west of downtown Boston, the German Centre’s campus houses a 133-bed skilled nursing facility that consistently earns a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) for long-term, post-acute rehabilitation, and Alzheimer’s/memory care; a 62-apartment assisted living community; and a 35-personcapacity adult day health service. The Centre accommodates up to 235 seniors on a daily basis, supported by a dedicated workforce of 300, many of whom have lengthy histories of service. Since its founding, generations of area residents have held the Centre in high regard as an employer of choice.

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Care Communities at the German Centre The German Centre’s premier care communities are supported by an on-site physician, nurse practitioner, and staff who work in close partnership with residents and families to ensure customized care that supports the physical, emotional, and cognitive needs of every resident. These care communities include Skilled Nursing at the German Centre for Extended Care (44 beds), Alzheimer’s/Memory Care in the Schrafft Pavilion Memory Support Neighborhood (45 beds), and Short-Term Rehabilitation in the Carl J. Ludwig Transitional Care Unit (44 beds).

Assisted Living at the German Centre One of Boston’s premier senior living communities, Edelweiss Village has the distinction of being rated a “Best Senior Living” community for assisted living by U.S. News & World Report based on exceptional reviews of residents and their families. The Village offers spacious studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments with weekly housekeeping and linen service, daily personal assistance, private dining, and a myriad of amenities such as salon services and educational, cultural, and wellness activities.

In spring 2024, after renovation of a portion of the residence, Edelweiss Village will also offer memory care assisted living, with safe and comfortable apartments, common areas, and secure outdoor space designed to meet the needs of memory care residents. Highly trained staff will provide round-the-clock care and customized programming catering to the unique needs of these residents.

Adult Day Health at the German Centre A Boston leader in adult day health services since 1988, the German Centre’s Senior Place Adult Day Health program offers customized and stimulating weekday offerings for elders and other adults who need special attention due to health concerns.

The program is supported by RNs, Certified Nursing Assistants, an Activity Director, and a Social Service Coordinator who also provides support for families. In line with the Centre’s deep respect for healthy senior living, health and wellness is a vital component of programming. Participants enjoy healthy eating and a wide variety of activities, such as creative music programming, dance and art, gardening, tai chi, cooking groups, games, strength training, and holiday celebrations.

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Babacar Diop Current Climate The COVID-19 pandemic had an enormous impact on extended care organizations, including the German Centre. However, these pressures did not prevent the organization from strategically navigating a path forward.

In September 2020, Deutsches Altenheim, Inc. (dba German Centre) affiliated with Legacy Lifecare, a Massachusetts network of charitable, nonprofit senior care organizations that came together to sponsor and share a common managerial infrastructure.

In addition to enabling cost-savings through consolidation and streamlining of key functions (e.g., clinical operations, financial services and analysis, performance improvement, human resources, and information technology), the affiliation helps ensure excellence in care delivery. During 2020 and 2021, the German Centre also received both state and federal pandemic-related relief funding.

While the healthcare and eldercare landscapes continue to evolve, the German Centre

CEO of the German Centre

Babacar Diop joined the German Centre as CEO in early 2023, bringing a depth of experience in clinical care and safety, regulatory compliance, fiscal management, and employee engagement. He began his career as a medical laboratory scientist before transitioning to eldercare administration. His roles include serving as System Director of Diagnostic Services and Senior Director of Operations during an eightyear tenure at Hebrew Senior Life, Boston’s largest provider of elder care; and as CEO of Vibra Hospital of Western Massachusetts, a multi-site provider of both critical-care and post-acute services. Diop earned a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science from Texas State University and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from Texas A&M University. In addition, he holds a Nursing Home Administrator license. Originally from Senegal, he resides in Raynham, Massachusetts, with his wife and their three sons.

continues to adapt. In March 2023, the Centre named a new CEO, Babacar Diop, an executive leader with deep experience in clinical science and senior living management.

In short order, Diop worked with the Board of Trustees to refine strategic priorities and launch a rebranding initiative and a $2 million facility renovation to expand the Centre’s memory care services. Additionally, he and the Board are investing in strengthening the organization’s culture of philanthropy and its ability to raise needed funds.

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Philanthropy The German Centre’s philanthropic roots extend back more than a century when the German Ladies Aid Society of Boston envisioned a safe and nurturing retirement residence for elderly German Americans in surroundings where their language and customs were understood and celebrated.

The Society ran the Centre from 1914 until 1932 when it transitioned the entity to a newly formed corporation, Deutsches Altenheim (DA) Inc. Officers of the Society’s Board served on the DA Inc. Board for many years, along with other volunteers, and continue to serve ex officio to this day.

In November 1995, DA Inc. formed a separate 501.c.3 corporation, Deutsches Altenheim Foundation, to hold, manage, and invest all gifts and donations received for the German Centre. The sole beneficiary of this activity is DA Inc. All Foundation funds are managed with policy and use direction from the Foundation Board.

Philanthropy Points of Pride • $2.25M campaign to support Edelweiss Village building project

• $37K in funding for front-lawn beautification initiative

• $77K challenge-match campaign for Music Therapy

• $25K foundation grant for tech support to improve resident/family communication/access during COVID-19 pandemic

• $50K endowed scholarship fund for Trained Nursing Assistants • $100K in grants for Adult Day Health renovation

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• $2.5+ million in bequests received from three grateful families

Fundraising efforts continued to be volunteerled until 1997 when a full-time development and communications professional was hired. For two decades this individual ran a broad program encompassing annual fund, honor/memorial giving, an annual golf tournament and various stewardship events, a constituent newsletter, articles for the press and publication, promotional collateral, and grant writing. Additionally, administrative and program staff contributed to securing and managing state, federal, and other grants to fund special initiatives.

As the Centre’s needs grew, so did its efforts to expand philanthropy. In late 2020, the Foundation Board retained fundraising counsel to assess the development effort and recommend strategies for growth. A key recommendation to invest in building a stronger donor pipeline and major and planned giving program drove the decision to hire a fundraising executive with this experience—a seasoned front-line fundraiser who could lead the philanthropy program into the future, building on a century of support from grateful beneficiaries of the Centre’s services. Simultaneously, the new Legacy Lifecare affiliation provided resources to help with communications, including website management and marketing.

“Philanthropy is the cornerstone that bolsters our commitment to enhancing the lives of seniors. Our donors are not just supporters but partners in fulfilling our mission to uphold dignity and independence.”

—Babacar Diop, CEO, German Centre

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Currently, the Centre receives philanthropic funding through the efforts of the philanthropy staff, the DA Foundation and its $6 million endowment, and the German Ladies Aid Society. The staff has successfully conducted “mini campaigns” for programs and services, securing individual gifts and private foundation grants from such funders as the Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund, Charles H. Farnsworth Trust, George B. Henderson Foundation, and James and Sarah Dyer Charitable Fund; and the first-ever endowed scholarship fund from a grateful family.

Looking back over a five-year period, on average, $250-350K is raised annually through appeals and grant requests (excluding government grants). Additionally, the Centre benefits from planned gifts; in the last several years, it has received $2 million in bequests from members of the German American community and grateful families of former residents.

Chief Development Officer Position Description Reporting to the German Centre’s CEO, the CDO is responsible for developing, leading, and executing a strategic fundraising plan that increases philanthropic support for the German Centre and its 501.c.3 Foundation, which operates exclusively to advance the German Centre’s mission and services. As a key member of the Centre’s leadership team, the CDO will work closely with the both Foundation and DA Inc. boards to advance the mission of the German Centre through philanthropy.

The CDO brings a best-practice orientation to building a donor pipeline with an eye toward identifying, cultivating, and soliciting intentional gifts. As the lead fundraiser, the CDO plans and executes annual and multi-year fundraising strategies with goals, metrics, and deliverables for major and planned giving, annual appeals, grateful patient/resident and family giving, and memorial giving. The CDO is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospective donors for both unrestricted and restricted giving, including short-term and longerterm campaigns. Additionally, the CDO assists with grant opportunities for key program areas, and guides donor engagement, recognition, stewardship, and fulfillment reporting with the support of an executive assistant/development coordinator.

Primary Responsibilities • •

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Set ambitious, achievable, measurable fundraising goals; track, analyze, and report on fundraising progress.

Strengthen the donor pipeline through major gifts, planned giving, annual appeals, grateful patient/family giving, and memorial giving; develop a straightforward, efficient prospect management process, tracking, monitoring, and documenting donor interaction and pipeline movement in Raiser’s Edge.

As the primary front-line fundraiser, identify, develop, and manage a portfolio of the top 40-50 major gift prospects, including individuals, corporations, and foundations, cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts; prioritize qualified donors and build and strengthen relationships based on interest or influence.

Partner with CEO and Foundation and DA Inc. Board members in identifying individual and institutional donor prospects, fully leveraging their relationships and networks, and activities for maximum cultivation and stewardship.

Research potential donors to gain insights into priorities, application guidelines, relationships, and other charitable giving to understand how to effectively position the German Centre for philanthropic investment.

Solicit foundations and submit grant applications or proposals to support designated operating and program priorities.

Support CEO and Boards in developing a culture of philanthropy wherein volunteer leaders can participate effectively in donor cultivation and solicitation.

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Establish and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, volunteer leaders, clinicians, staff, donors, and friends of the German Centre, developing a personal rapport and acquiring and demonstrating a firm grasp of a wide range of issues facing eldercare and the funding landscape.

Maintain best practices, policies, procedures, and records, adhering to IRS requirements.

Participate in strategic planning, and branding and message development.

Maintain high visibility/accessibility within the philanthropic community and participate in appropriate external activities that heighten awareness of the needs of the German Centre.

One-Year Expectations •

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Establish professional and personal credibility and trust, internally and externally, with the CEO, management team, board leadership, key volunteers, residents/family members, donors, and the community at large; be viewed as competent and knowledgeable, a thoughtful listener, and committed to the organization’s mission and direction.

Develop a collaborative working relationship with the CEO and board leadership in creating shared goals and expectations for philanthropy, defining/prioritizing funding opportunities, and identifying and engaging top prospects for solicitation (individuals and foundations).

Develop phased tactical plan to meet short-term revenue (e.g., memory care renovation), while building a longer-term strategy for sustainable fundraising that supports the Centre’s strategic and growth goals.

Strengthen annual giving program to ensure goal of $250-350K (with stretch goal of $500K) in year one, and as a reliable pipeline for intentional, major gifts going forward.

Longer-Term Expectations • • • •

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Strengthen the foundation for future capital and endowment fundraising.

Identify, cultivate, and steward donors capable of making transformational gifts.

Strengthen relationships with current donors, leading to consistent and ongoing philanthropic support.

Continue to build donor pipeline through cultivation strategies, using moves management to encourage increased giving, while identifying new donors and prospects.

Qualifications Knowledge and Experience • An accomplished fundraising leader with progressive experience preferably within health and human services environments.

• Proven success in individual and major gifts with basic knowledge of corporate and foundation relations.

• Experience researching, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects and donors capable of six+ figure giving.

• Broad knowledge of deferred giving vehicles, including bequests, annuities, charitable lead trusts, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance, and gifts of real estate.

• Proficiency in the application of IT for philanthropy (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) and business management.

• Experience with board recruitment/development and volunteer management.

• Bachelor’s degree in related discipline.

Skills and Attributes • Able to communicate genuine warmth, compassion, and commitment to quality and service, and to quickly build effective and strategic relationships, internally and externally.

• An engaged professional who brings a hands-on approach, with specific attention to detail and the ability to be a strategic, “big picture” thinker.

• Entrepreneurial and creative problem solver.

• Energetic, positive, and proactive individual who is self-directed.

• Superior oral and written communication skills.

• Strong analytical, financial, and business planning skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and persuasive skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and philanthropic investors.

• Facilitation skills for managing projects/processes and group dynamics.

• Strong management, coaching, and mentoring skills.

• Metrics-driven, results-oriented, able to effectively prioritize, delegate, and manage performance to meet objectives.

• Able to remain calm and focused under pressure.

• Tech savvy.

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Benefits The German Centre is committed to being an “Employer of Choice.” While providing compassionate and comprehensive care to its residents and their families, the Centre maintains an inclusive culture where employees are respected, valued, and rewarded. As an industry leader in the value placed on resident care and employee appreciation, the Centre offers competitive compensation, a generous benefits program, and opportunities for professional advancement, with an emphasis on work/life balance. The facility is accessible by MBTA and offers free parking.

Diversity and Inclusion The German Centre is proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

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