Vice President of Development

The Vice President of Development serves as a strategic executive leader responsible for advancing the philanthropic growth and long-term sustainability of the Goodwill Works Foundation for Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia & the CSRA (GIMG, Inc.). Reporting directly to the President/CEO, this Executive Leadership Team position plays a critical role in achieving the organization's 2030 Strategic Plan success measures through comprehensive fundraising, donor engagement, strategic partnerships, and community investment. 

The Vice President of Development works collaboratively with the Vice President of Marketing and other executive leaders to strengthen donor engagement through strategic storytelling, public awareness initiatives, and mission-focused communications. This leader champions a culture of philanthropy by empowering employees, volunteers, board members, and community partners to communicate the life-changing impact of Goodwill's mission while expanding philanthropic support across the enterprise. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & CORE COMPETENCIES 

Executive Leadership & Strategic Alignment 

• Demonstrates and models the organization's core values of Service, Ownership, Accountability, and Respect in all leadership activities, stakeholder interactions, and strategic initiatives.  

• Supports the organization's mission-centered and faith-inspired approach to helping individuals achieve a more abundant life through education, work, and career services.  

• Serves as a strategic member of the Executive Leadership Team, helping refine and advance priorities aligned with the organization's Strategic Plan 2030 while collaborating across all business units.  

• Participates in merger, acquisition, expansion, and other enterprise initiatives as assigned by the President/CEO.  

• Builds collaborative relationships across the enterprise to align philanthropic priorities with organizational growth objectives.  

Philanthropic Leadership 

• Leads comprehensive fundraising and advancement initiatives that support organizational sustainability and enable continued growth of Goodwill's mission and Helms College.  

• Develops and executes comprehensive fundraising strategies including:  

• Annual Giving  

• Major Gifts  

• Planned Giving  

• Foundation Grants  

• Corporate Partnerships  

• Capital Campaigns  

• Endowment Growth  

• Builds and sustains strong relationships with corporations, foundations, elected officials, civic leaders, and high-net-worth individuals throughout the organization's service territory and beyond.  

• Personally cultivates, solicits, and stewards major donors while maintaining an active portfolio of strategic philanthropic relationships.  

• Provides leadership and accountability for the Goodwill Works Foundation fundraising team to achieve or exceed annual fundraising goals.  

• Ensures the Senior Manager of Missions successfully develops faith-based partnerships that position Goodwill as a trusted ministry and community partner.  

• Develops and grows the Helms College Alumni Association into a meaningful engagement and fundraising resource.  

• Oversees administration of the Helms College Scholarship Fund in partnership with the Chief Education Officer.  

• Cultivates a culture of philanthropy among board members, employees, students, volunteers, and community stakeholders.  

• Recruits, develops, and mentors high-performing fundraising professionals while establishing measurable performance expectations.  

Strategic Partnerships, Storytelling & Mission Engagement 

• Partners with the Vice President of Marketing to support enterprise-wide communications, executive messaging, public relations, and organizational storytelling that strengthens donor engagement and mission awareness.  

• Collaborates with Marketing to ensure fundraising priorities are effectively communicated through integrated campaigns and community engagement initiatives.  

• Champions Goodwill's Storytelling Academy by partnering with Human Resources and organizational leaders to ensure employee participation and measurable impact on employee engagement and philanthropic culture.  

• Supports public awareness efforts that increase donor engagement, strengthen community partnerships, and elevate the visibility of Goodwill's mission.  

• Maximizes Edgar's Hospitality Group venues and experiences to promote mission messaging and philanthropic investment opportunities.  

• Supports donor cultivation experiences, mission tours, special events, and community engagement activities throughout the organization.  

Foundation Governance & Community Relations 

• Provides executive leadership for Foundation governance, policies, gift acceptance standards, and fundraising best practices.  

• Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, ethical fundraising standards, and Foundation bylaws.  

• Presents fundraising performance, donor engagement metrics, campaign progress, and strategic recommendations to Executive Leadership and the Foundation Board.  

• Leads major donor recognition events, community engagement initiatives, and fundraising activities throughout the service area.  

• Demonstrates professionalism, confidentiality, sound judgment, and executive presence in all board, donor, and stakeholder interactions.  

Strategic Systems, Innovation & Enterprise Growth 

• Partners with Information Technology and executive leadership to strengthen donor relationship management systems and philanthropic technology platforms.  

• Supports strategic CRM initiatives that enhance donor cultivation, stewardship, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships.  

• Collaborates across Retail, Helms College, Edgar's Hospitality Group, Mission Services, Career Centers, and Workforce Development to strengthen donor and community engagement.  

• Helps position Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia & the CSRA as a nationally recognized, mission-driven organization with scalable philanthropic and educational initiatives.  

• Partners with consultants, public relations firms, campaign counsel, and external partners, as appropriate, to advance fundraising and organizational objectives within approved budgets.  

Education & Experience 

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.  

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive executive leadership experience in nonprofit development, advancement, fundraising, or a closely related field.  

• Demonstrated success leading fundraising initiatives generating philanthropic support exceeding $3 million annually.  

• Experience building relationships with major donors, corporate partners, foundations, and community leaders.  

• Experience collaborating with marketing, communications, and executive leadership to support organizational visibility and donor engagement.  

• Experience in higher education, workforce development, or human services strongly preferred.  

• Proven success leading teams, managing strategic initiatives, and working effectively with executive leadership and governing boards 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Extensive knowledge of nonprofit fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, stewardship, advancement operations, and philanthropic best practices.  

• Strong understanding of board engagement, governance, and nonprofit leadership.  

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.  

• Strong relationship-building and networking abilities with diverse stakeholders.  

• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term vision and operational execution.  

• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.  

• Ability to maintain confidentiality while exercising sound judgment and executive discretion.  

• Demonstrated commitment to servant leadership, collaboration, and mission-driven organizational excellence.