Vice President of Advancement & External Relations
Job Description
POSITION PROFILE - VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT & EXTERNAL RELATIONS
kpCompanies is partnering with the Black Collective Foundation MN (The Collective) to recruit a passionate, strategic, and experienced Vice President of Advancement & External Relations. This is a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission through effective fundraising and external engagement efforts, ensuring the organization’s growth and sustainability.
THE ORGANIZATION - BLACK COLLECTIVE FOUNDATION MN
The Black Collective Foundation MN believes Black-led change is genius. As the state’s first Black community foundation and a pioneer of culturally specific philanthropy nationwide, The Collective partners with individuals and institutions to boldly invest in organizations, leaders, systems, and ideas. Together, we are realizing a more just Minnesota where all Black people are holistically well, living in dignity and prosperity.
Mission
Build Black philanthropic power to strengthen the ecosystem of Black-led social, political, and economic change in Minnesota and beyond.
Vision
A community foundation that creates the conditions for a thriving ecosystem of Black-led change. Together, we can realize a Minnesota where Black people are holistically well, living in dignity and prosperity.
Values
Culture, Community Power, Collaboration, Practice, Celebration, Creativity, and Excellence
POSITION SUMMARY
The Vice President of Advancement & External Relations will lead all aspects of the Collective’s fundraising strategy, including major gifts, annual giving, sponsorships, and special events, while also driving the organization’s external relations efforts. Reporting directly to the Co-Founder & President, the VP will be integral to the organization’s leadership team, building systems and maintaining relationships that align with the Collective’s mission and vision.
This role requires a strategic thinker who can also execute initiatives, from designing and implementing fundraising systems to sharpening fundraising approaches and positioning the organization on local and national platforms for greater visibility.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Fund Development
Lead the development and execution of comprehensive fundraising strategies, including campaigns, major gifts, institutional giving, sponsorships, donor-advised funds, and special events.
Set quarterly and annual fundraising targets for Development and External Relations, and report progress toward achievement of contributed revenue goals.
Secures a targeted number of major gifts annually by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a pipeline of prospective donors, while building on existing relationships and expanding new partnerships. Ensures all donor interactions and activities are accurately documented and maintained in the donor CRM.
Oversee donor management systems, ensuring accurate gift processing, acknowledgment, and financial reporting.
Proactively evaluate the health of the development program and provide forecasting and status updates to leadership.
Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising campaign strategy, including setting clear goals, crafting compelling messaging, coordinating with key stakeholders, and managing the overall execution. This will drive significant revenue growth, enhance donor engagement, and strengthen the organization’s long-term sustainability.
Donor-Advised Fund Program
Work with leadership to build and launch the organization’s donor-advised fund program, engaging consultants, professional advisors, and board members.
Establish a long-term vision for the donor-advised fund program and planned giving.
External Relations
Drive the Collective’s external visibility by building transformational relationships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies.
Identify strategic opportunities for public engagement, positioning the organization for greater visibility in Minnesota and beyond.
Collaborate with the communications team, including consultants and staff responsible for marketing, sales, and events, to align messaging with fundraising efforts.
Oversee the creation of donor-related materials, including audience-centric strategies, proposals, appeals, and stewardship communications.
Lead high-profile fundraising events and campaigns
Leadership & Team Management
Serve as a key member of the leadership team, collaborating with senior leaders and the Board of Directors to advance organizational objectives.
Build and lead a high-performing fundraising team, overseeing fundraising consultants and managing the hiring and supervision of a Development Associate.
Lead the Advancement Committee of the Board, facilitating regular meetings and reporting on fundraising progress.
Strategic Initiatives
Lead efforts to develop individual giving systems to diversify the organization's revenue streams.
Collaborate with the President & Co-Founder to position the organization for future growth by leveraging national and local opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS
Below are some of the typical requirements for the Vice President of Advancement & External Relations. We recognize that skill sets can be a complex combination of experiences. Even if your background does not exactly match these requirements but you have a passion for our work, we would love to hear from you and we recognize the value of transferable skills.
Experience
Demonstrated track record in key areas: raising funds, cultivating relationships, and ensuring organizational sustainability—both social and financial.
Demonstrated success in building and managing donor relationships, particularly with institutional partners and major individual donors.
Strong leadership experience, including hiring, coaching, and leading teams in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.
Familiarity with donor management systems and understanding of how technology can support fundraising efforts.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of articulating the organization’s mission to a broad range of stakeholders.
Personal Characteristics
Commitment to racial equity and the mission of supporting Black-led change.
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to think creatively and take initiative in growing the organization’s fundraising capacity.
Strong organizational skills, capable of balancing strategic planning with the hands-on execution required in a startup environment.
Ability to collaborate effectively within a small, integrated team where roles overlap and flexibility is key.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations here no later than 9:00 pm on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
EQUITY AND SALARY DISCLOSURE
We believe in practices that create real equity and pay parity regardless of background or identity. We freely discuss compensation with all qualified candidates the first time we interview them. Saving the salary discussion for the first conversation allows us to understand the needs of each candidate fully and to ensure that qualified candidates, even those who’ve historically been overlooked and/or underpaid, don’t self-select out of the processes based on salary alone, as our experience and research suggest. In addition to those who opt out because they fear the salary may be out of reach for them, we equally don’t want to miss out on conversations with candidates who are slightly over the range when, in some cases, the total compensation, including factors such as bonuses, flexibility, and better health benefits, etc. may exceed expectations. Finally, as a search firm, we always look for top-notch talent to introduce to our clients. Should the salary or any other requirement not be fit, there is often a chance that someone on our team is working on another position you may be a better fit for. If you would like to discuss your qualifications for this role and salary and compensation, just call us, and we’d be happy to discuss!
EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Black Collective Foundation and kpCompanies are equal opportunity employers and all employees and applicants for employment are afforded equal opportunity in every area of hiring and employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, disability, mental illness, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, genetics, military/veteran status, citizenship, arrest record, and any other legally protected characteristic.
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