Job Title: Development and Communications Specialist

Mission: The mission of the Latino Center of the Midlands is to cultivate generations of engaged, thriving Latinos through educational foundations, workforce development and leadership opportunities.

Position Summary: The Development and Communications Specialist works closely with the Development Director (Grant Writer) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to craft and implement a proactive, strategic development plan for all of Latino Center of the Midlands fundraising and philanthropic initiatives. The Development Specialist will coordinate the solicitation, cultivation and stewardship of current and prospective donors in partnership with the CEO; support capital campaigns as they arise; and identify funding sources such as grants, in-kind donations, charitable events, and marketing opportunities. To support the development plan and successful fundraising, the Development Specialist will work closely with the communications staff to develop and guide donor-specific marketing materials, advertising and social media campaigns.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage timelines for various fundraising activities to ensure strategic plans and critical fundraising processes are carried out in a timely manner.
• Identify and develop corporate, community and individual prospects to generate funds for the organization and support the preparation and submission of grant applications as needed and in partnership with the Grant Writer.
• In coordination with the CEO, create processes to ensure appropriate follow-up communication with donors, corporate funders and community partners; facilitate information sharing and documentation of activities within the donor management system.
• Oversee the administration of a "friends" and donors mail list and continued maintenance of the organization's donor management platform, respecting donor privacy and confidentiality and continued stewardship of the organization's funders and donors.
• Monitor the organization's development budget against projections; work closely with finance staff to prepare regular reports regarding progress towards fund development goals, receipts and expenditures related to fundraising, and make recommendations regarding changes to related budgets as necessary.
• Work collaboratively with communications staff to develop a communication plan to promote the organization to its donors and actively engage in the design, printing and distribution of marketing and communication materials for all development activities.
• Maintain a master development calendar and coordinate related activities with LCM leadership and staff, promoting proactive communication and information sharing across departments, teams and programs.
• Ensures appropriate compliance requirements are met per funding agreements and applicable laws and policies.

Skills:

• Creativity/innovative abilities to develop new and unique ways to improve the organization's fund development processes and to create new opportunities
• Outstanding communication (written and oral) and strong interpersonal skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage deadlines
• Flexible and able to balance multiple tasks
• Highly motivated and able to work independently as well as in a team-based environment
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others
• Able to anticipate, understand and respond to the needs of donors to meet expectations within organizational parameters
• Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, human services, education, fundraising, or nonprofit leadership.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Minimum of two years of leadership experience
• 2-3 years experience writing grant proposals, managing grant projects and fund development with related documentation, reporting and budgets.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in public relations, communications and/or business development
• Certificate in Fundraising Management
• 3-5 years fundraising experience

The Latino Center of the Midlands acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. The LCM believes in creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences and the commitment to equitable treatment and elimination of discrimination in all its forms at all organizational levels and throughout all programs.