Director of Development for Bonton Farms

Written By Amanda Basler

MISSION STATEMENT

Bonton Farms’ mission is to transform lives by disrupting systems of inequity, laying a foundation where change yields health, wholeness and opportunity as the norm.

 

VISION STATEMENT

The change in Bonton becomes the change in the world.

 

CORE VALUES

To see the image of God manifested in the lives of those served. This is embodied through its four core values: Courage, Love, Unity, and Excellence.

 

ABOUT BONTON FARMS  

One evening in 2012, a small group of Bonton men gathered in a living room for a weekly bible study. Daron Babcock, a guest that night, was so inspired by the group’s generous hospitality and passionate discussion about radical transformation that he sold his home in North Dallas and moved to Bonton. Along with his business skills, Daron joined Daris Lee, Gerry Willis, Gary “Pie” Payne, Roderick Yarborough and Willie Charles Harris in pursuing the audacious dream of a Bonton where essential life tools are no longer a rare commodity and thriving is considered the norm. The group saw a community suffering from poor health outcomes caused by decades of being geographically and systemically cut off from the resources, jobs and funding needed to live a healthy life. In response, the bible study group began to put action toward its reimagined community.

 

Today, Bonton Farms focuses on place-based interventions to build community capacity for long-term change. As the ecosystem of community resources improves, the neighbors in Bonton use these resources to build successful, self-sufficient lives, ultimately interrupting the impact of decades of disenfranchisement. Bonton Farms programs focus on the following seven human essentials: transportation, education, access to financial tools, community, health and wellness, economic stability, and safe and affordable housing.

 

OVERVIEW

The Director of Development is a full-time, exempt position and reports directly to the President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Director of Development is responsible for leading and managing the organization's fundraising efforts. This includes creating, implementing, executing and evaluating development strategies that meaningfully engage and motivate donors to meet the annual fund goals. The role also requires the management and training of the development team including a development coordinator, volunteer coordinator and development manager. The ideal candidate will have a passion for the mission of Bonton Farms, a proven track record in fundraising, and exceptional communication and organizational skills. Proficiency in donor management systems is essential for this role.

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Revenue Strategies, Vision & Implementation

  • Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising plans to support the organization’s strategic objectives and annual budget. This includes events, major donors, individual givers, corporate and foundation strategies;

  • Actively manage and maintain a donor portfolio, including lead prospecting and donor research, setting and meeting benchmarks toward long-term, sustainable growth and gift solicitation;

  • Write and submit compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry and reports to foundations and other grant-making entities;

  • Oversee the execution of Bonton Farms’ fundraising events and monthly giving society, Friends of the Farm.

  • Manage Bonton Farms’ annual giving campaign to develop a pipeline of prospects for Bonton Farms Major Gifts Program by identifying prospects for next-level giving;

  • Lead strategies and initiatives that enhance the organization's abilities to attract and retain donors, funders and key partners;

  • Create and implement donor cultivation and stewardship plans to build and maintain relationships with donors. This includes donor portfolios for the President/CEO, the development team, and, when applicable, other members of the Bonton Farms team;

  • Oversee the management and utilization of the donor management system to track donor interactions and donor history to ensure data integrity and accuracy;

  • Analyze donor data to identify trends and opportunities for increased engagement and giving.

Team Leadership and Development

  • Lead and develop fundraising staff and volunteers;

  • Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities and conduct annual performance reviews;

  • Collaborate with Bonton Farms’ executive team and Board of Directors to align fundraising efforts with organizational goals;

  • Provide thought leadership to elevate the team’s potential and growth;

  • Foster a mindset within Bonton Farms that fund development is an organizational effort, creating a culture of philanthropy;

  • Work with the finance department to develop, manage and project organizational budget and revenue targets;

  • Ensure all necessary policies, procedures and professional standards are maintained.

Partner Cultivation, Solicitation & Stewardship

  • Develop and implement strategies that increase stakeholder engagement with programs, initiatives and events;

  • Oversee execution of recognition and benefits related to corporate partner commitments, including activation, signage, online and offline communication channels, and collateral materials;

  • Oversee account management systems and strategies to ensure cross-departmental communication regarding shared partners and prospects;

  • Collaborate with the President/CEO to lead board members, executive leadership team and key staff in the cultivation of fundraising leads and opportunities;

  • Develop proposals and budgets and deliver presentations via email, phone and in person.

Communications and Marketing

  • Collaborate with marketing and communications team to create content for fundraising materials, brochures, newsletters and social media content;

  • Develop and implement campaigns to increase public awareness and support for the organization;

  • Represent Bonton Farms at community events and networking opportunities.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree in Non-Profit Management, Business, Communications, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred;

  • Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) preferred;

  • Minimum of five (5) years of experience in fundraising with a proven track record of successful donor cultivation, solicitation and achievement of fundraising goals;

  • Minimum of two (2) years of experience in grant writing and managing fundraising events;

  • Proficiency in donor management systems including reporting and analysis.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Passion for the mission and people of Bonton Farms and the Bonton community;

  • Emotional intelligence;

  • Ability to engage and motivate individuals to achieve tasks and goals;

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages;

  • Strong organizational and project management skills;

  • Proficient in using fundraising software and donor databases;

  • Ability to analyze donor data and generate fundraising reports;

  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment;

  • Visionary and strategic thinker;

  • Donor-focused with a strong commitment to service excellence;

  • Results-oriented and proactive;

  • Efficient organizational and time management skills;

  • Adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges;

  • Ethical and transparent with high integrity;

  • Availability to work occasionally after-hours, weekend events.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

  • Has a valid Texas driver's license and proof of current auto insurance;

  • Passes an agency-administered, comprehensive background check satisfactorily;

  • Available to work occasional evening and weekend hours.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to work at a desk and computer screen for extended periods of time, use the wrists, hands and/or fingers. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, balance, lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The minimum salary for this position is $120,000. The compensation package will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. This position is exempt. Bonton Farms is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. Employment decisions are not based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex (which includes pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, genetic information, age, disability, political belief, membership or application for membership in a uniformed service, or any other unlawful basis.

MODIFICATION OF DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Bonton Farms retains the right to change and/or modify this position's duties and essential functions at any time. This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Wise Resource Development (WISE) has been retained to lead the recruitment of the Director of Development at Bonton Farms. WISE is a nonprofit consulting agency specializing in recruiting skilled fundraising professionals and nonprofit executives.

Amanda Basler
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