VIC E PR ESIDENT, D EV ELO P M EN T
Easter Seals, Inc. www.easterseals.com Reports to: President and Chief Executive Officer Location: Chicago, Illinois
MISSION Change the way the world defines and views disabilities by making positive, profound differences in people’s lives every day.
ABOUT EASTER SEALS, INC. For 100 years, Easterseals has served as an indispensable resource for individuals with disabilities, veterans, seniors and their families. 70 Affiliates in communities nationwide serve 1.5M people through high-quality programs. Easterseals helps children and adults of all abilities and their families reach for and realize their full potential by helping clients build the skills and access the resources they need to live, learn, work and play. Easterseals is the leading nonprofit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, and other special needs. It is a global organization with headquarters based in Chicago. From child development centers to physical rehabilitations and job training for people with disabilities, Easterseals offers a wide range of services to help people with disabilities address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals. Easterseals services are focused in three primary areas: Child Focused Support, Workforce Solutions and Adults & Senior Focused Support. More specifically the
Easterseals Affiliate network of 70 organizations provides programs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, Children’s Services including early intervention services for birth to 5, Adult Services, Employment & Training, Senior Services, Military & Veteran Services, Medical Rehabilitation, and Camping & Recreation. Program offerings vary based on the specific needs of the community served by each Affiliate. Services and support are provided through a network of thousands of community-based sites in the U.S. and through its global Affiliates. Easterseals also plays a significant role in shaping public policy and assuring adequate funding for disability programs. Since its inception, Easterseals has influenced a wide range of legislation on the local, state and federal levels, including the groundbreaking Americans with Disabilities Act. Easterseals National office and its Affiliates are each separately incorporated entities and are exempt under the provisions of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
THE OPPORTUNITY In 2018, the Board of Directors of Easterseals hired a new CEO, Angela Williams. The focus of the new administration has been to deepen engagement with the Affiliates and strengthen the value proposition of the Easterseals network. Individual Affiliates are supported primarily through public funding such as Medicaid. However, funding general operating support, program innovation and policy work is needed on an ongoing basis. An essential way for the national headquarters to bring value to the Affiliate network is through growing unrestricted funding. Major opportunities for Easterseals are in the areas of direct marketing and corporate support through sponsorships or cause marketing programs. A new revenue sharing model has been created which has built an openness with the Affiliates to partner with the national ofice on relationship building and developing the case for support. Creating a cohesive corporate giving strategy, projected goals and deliverables needs to be embraced by the Affiliate network. This will involve strengthening the case for giving that incorporates metrics of success based on outcome data from the Affiliates. Direct mail has been the bread and butter of the direct marketing efforts and is well established. A five-year strategy has been developed to re-energize the direct mail program and will need to be implemented. There are efforts to integrate social media and other forms of digital marketing into the fundraising strategy as well. Other funding sources include private foundations, corporate sponsorships, cause marketing, major individual donors, events and planned giving. The planned giving program is suspended while working through a new revenue sharing model. With an aging core donor base, there is tremendous potential in this area. The desire going forward is to re-tool the development program into an entrepreneurial shop that generates significant gifts from corporations, direct marketing, foundations and individuals. The opportunity now exists for an innovative, flexible, relationship-oriented leader to serve as a key member of a senior management team to build a sustainable future for Easterseals.
THE POSITION Reporting to the President and CEO, the Vice President, Development is responsible for leading philanthropic resource development to drive growth and mission impact for Easterseals and its nationwide network of Affiliates.  In partnership with the CEO and the executive leadership team, the strategic and innovative leader in this role will drive: direct response (direct mail and digital fundraising), corporate and foundation underwriting and cause marketing, philanthropic operations and support to the Affiliate network on individual giving (focused on major and planned giving), foundations and event fundraising. The incumbent actively manages a donor portfolio by personally participating in their cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. In collaboration with the Board of Directors and stakeholders across the Easterseals network, the Vice President, Development will work to understand strategic priorities of the organization and set appropriate revenue goals to achieve those priorities. The Vice President, Development will oversee engagement initiatives, which create awareness and build Affiliate and constituent support for Easterseals. This includes developing strategies to strengthen relationships by increasing understanding of the effectiveness of programs amongst high – level funders including corporate partners and new and existing individual and institutional donors. Additionally, the Vice President, Development will diversify and expand the donor pipeline to maximize revenue opportunities around the 100th anniversary of Easterseals in 2019 and serving as a catalyst for growing sustainable philanthropic
revenue. As a part of the Easterseals senior management team, s/he provides leadership and direction for meeting annual and long-term fundraising goals including both revenue goals and donor retention and growth goals. The Vice President manages a current staff of five including the senior director of direct marketing, director of donor database, and planned giving officer. Creatively organizing the staff
to maximize their effectiveness and clearly defining roles, relationships and expectations will be required. The successful candidate will help develop appropriate system-wide policies and practices for the effective coordination of development activities. S/he will work in close alignment with the President & CEO, Affiliates, Marketing, and Finance to ensure that messages are consistent to all constituents, including donors and potential donors.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Advance and manage a strategic annual and multi-year fundraising plan with goals, objectives and methods to achieve philanthropic revenue goals. 2. Increase and diversify Easterseals fundraising revenue to achieve the organization’s strategic goals from: direct response (direct mail and digital fundraising), corporate and foundation underwriting and cause marketing. 3. Provide fundraising support to Affiliates that helps grow local individual giving (major and planned gifts), foundations and event revenue. 4 Develop and manage annual development
budgets, including growth goals across the assigned channels. 5. Partner and coordinate with the President and CEO to cultivate, solicit, and steward plans for priority prospective and current major partners. 6. Meet with prospective and current partners and donors and engage them in the mission and case for Easterseals and Affiliates combined. 7. Work with staff to create a robust fundraising pipeline primarily focused on multi-faceted partnership opportunities with an emphasis on leveraging cause marketing and online fundraising.
C A N D I D AT E P R O F I L E Easterseals is seeking an entrepreneurial leader and skilled manager with a track record of over 10 years experience in national fundraising with demonstrated success in building and managing a robust fundraising program. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, motivated and will embrace the mission of Easterseals. Proven ability to recognize and act on revenue generating opportunities that may be innovative or non-traditional would be highly valued. A broad understanding of all institutional fundraising strategies, tactics and programs, as well as demonstrated ability to overcome the barriers to implementing such, is expected. A proven track record directly soliciting and stewarding multiyear, multifaceted, seven figure gifts from corporate partners/cause marketers is needed. A spirit of inquisitiveness, flexibility, an ability to think strategically and a strong work ethic are essential. An ability to navigate complex organizational structures is required. The successful candidate will be self-confident and will possess an appropriate blend of analytical and interpersonal skills allowing effective
communication with a variety of audiences. Successful relationship building and management is a critical competency to fulfilling the stated objectives for this position. The ability to collaborate with National and Affiliate executive leadership and Board members, as well as volunteers, to identify funders, strategically guide opportunities to engage and establish new relationships, and build a robust pipeline that supports annual and longterm fundraising goals is
needed. Skilled in goal setting and assessment, the successful candidate will be results-oriented with strong relational, analytical and organizational skills. A creative and energetic individual who functions well within a highly complex environment is sought. The ideal candidate is a poised individual who is self-motivated, supportive, diplomatic, personable, able to manage multiple priorities and comfortable rolling up his or her sleeves.
Candidates who demonstrate their ability to actively seek out new prospect or donor relationships, who appreciate the cultivation and stewardship process and who can successfully close gift opportunities are required. The person we seek should present a proven track record in building a developmental culture within the staff group. Candidates with ability to assess and hire talent, set the vision, get buy-in on goals, and create strong teams based on high individual accountability are sought. The qualified candidate will be an excellent manager who is able to delegate effectively. The individual must have the ability to lead not only direct reports but also Board members, volunteers and Affiliate leaders that are to be involved in philanthropic activities. The candidate should demonstrate a willingness to participate in the life of the institution at all levels. Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s Degree preferred. Primary experience in fundraising with a national or global nonprofit is desired. Experience working with an affiliate or chapter model is preferred. Evidence of continuing professional education would be a plus.
Applications and nominations are being received by Noetic Search. Please click here to submit a current resume and cover letter. For more information, visit www.noeticexsearch.com or www.easterseals.com. Easterseals is an Equal Opportunity Employer