Through our efforts to build a robust and inclusive culture of engagement and philanthropy, The Donor Development Specialist strengthens connections between Warm Hearth Village and donors from throughout the New River Valley to ensure that the organization and its services remain available and sustainable for seniors in need.

The Warm Hearth Foundation’s defining mission is to support our most vulnerable seniors. By seeking private support, and then diligently managing those funds, the Foundation advances and furthers the work of our Founders who strived to provide a safe, nurturing and dignified environment for seniors from all walks of life.

Position Summary

The Donor Development Specialist is a leader in donor development for the Warm Hearth Foundation.

The Donor Development Specialist reports to the Director of Development is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of donor relations and stewardship at Warm Hearth Village. The Donor Development Specialist is a seasoned donor relations leader with demonstrated expertise in a broad range of areas, including donor cultivation and recognition, campaign fundraising and stewardship best practices, program building, annual, deferred, corporate and foundation gifts, grants and transformational investments, gift administration and compliance and project coordination. The Donor Development Specialist duties include implementing strategies to enhance donor pipeline development, with equal emphasis on daily and major gift prospects, and executing best practices related to donor engagement and retention.

The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to collaborate with a diverse community of partners to educate and advocate for the Foundation while delivering a meaningful experience for all donors. An overview of duties includes:

• Lead the development, management, implementation, execution and evaluation of all donor relations programs, processes and systems, campus-wide to optimize the effectiveness of donor stewardship strategies.
• Develop and execute highly customized engagement plans or deliverables for all donors in partnership with the Director of Development, CEO and Board of Directors.
• Demonstrate institutional commitment to providing appropriate, meaningful information to donors and/or donor families about the use and impact of gifts.

The successful Donor Development Specialist will be a proactive member of the development team and an integral part of the greater community seen as a champion for the senior population. This is a single-site, community-based position in Blacksburg, Virginia that offers a flexible work environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education, professional experience and specialized expertise.
• A professional who conveys confidence and earns trust.
• Experience developing, managing, implementing, executing and evaluating donor relations and stewardship strategies, initiatives and programs (typically five or more years).
• A successful track record of using innovative, entrepreneurial and strategic approaches founded in donor relations best practices related to relationship management strategies and technologies, pipeline development, campaign tactics, donor communications and events experience.
• Experience successfully managing people, programs and resources with strong leadership principles (typically five or more years).
• Demonstrated skills in analysis and problem-solving, as well as strategic goal setting, business planning and successful implementation of new programs or services
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse audience and a diverse community of internal stakeholders.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, including, but not limited to, collaboration, staffing and programming.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree
• A successful track record leading a donor relations team and whole pyramid stewardship strategies at a major university in a complex, decentralized environment (typically five or more years).
• An in depth understanding of best practices in donor relations and stewardship including analysis, assessment and evaluation along with knowledge and understanding of gift compliance, reporting, administration and campaign best practices.

Conditions of Employment

• This position is subject to additional hours beyond the typical work week to include evenings and weekends.
• Must have the ability to travel as required.

Warm Hearth Village

A Nonprofit Community

Our Mission: Fostering a person-centered approach to aging in an inclusive environment that redefines retirement.

Our Vision: To nurture a transformative culture where people live and work in community, knowing their contributions are essential to our success.

Our Values: Innovation, Community Collaboration, Passion, Inclusiveness and Ethics.