Director of Development & Communications

Venice Community Housing (VCH), a community-based, nonprofit organization, supports and builds equitable and inclusive communities by providing affordable housing with supportive services, education, employment programs, and public policy advocacy. With housing development as its core service, VCH believes that we must challenge the root causes of housing injustice and homelessness, and actively confront all forms of racism, in order to ensure equitable communities with access to healthy, safe, and affordable homes for all. Just as it is important for low-income and unhoused people to have access to stable housing, it is also important that our Westside communities be inclusive and restore access for communities of color that have been forcibly removed. We unite our community with passion and commitment to equity.

Currently, VCH is engaged in a variety of housing and community development programs, owning and managing 346 units of affordable and supportive housing. As part of a nationwide focus on the crisis of homelessness and housing affordability, VCH is in a growth phase with an additional 400 units in the predevelopment/construction stages. Our vision is that our compassionate approach to these solutions will serve as a model to other communities across the country.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Development and Communications (DODC) works to build and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors, government funders, key partners and collaborators, and the general public. Reporting directly to the Co-Executive Director, the DODC develops and implements comprehensive short-term and long-term fundraising plans, including solicitations and management of government and foundation grants, annual appeals, corporate donations, and special events.

The Director will lead the organization’s dynamic fundraising vehicles and find ways to innovate, expand, and connect with new donors. With the support of a development team, including a Development Associate, Communications Manager, Community Engagement & Special Events Coordinator, and our vital volunteers, this position is responsible for government and private grant solicitation and management with an annual private revenue goal of $1.5 million, additional government grant solicitation and management, and plays a critical role in building community support for VCH’s housing, programs, and community vision. 

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Strategy

•  Significantly enhance and diversify the revenue streams that currently make the work of VCH possible, as well as support VCH’s ambitious expansion goals and ensure sustainability.
•  Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the philanthropic landscape, in order to pursue opportunistic partnerships as they relate to individual donors, major donors, giving trends, and charitable contributions in the VCH’s areas of work.
•  Ensure broad, inclusive and meaningful community engagement is a core component of VCH’s work, including leadership on engagement and marketing materials for new housing sites.
• Work with the Board of Directors on fund development related projects and recruits other leadership volunteers to work on various fundraising committees and projects.

Communications & Advocacy

•  Create and implement communications materials and plans that enhance and complement fundraising plans and reflect VCH mission and principles.
•  Serve as an engaging external representative of VCH, nurturing relationships with VCH’s Board, donors, partners and community stakeholders.
•  Develop and implement diverse, coordinated, strategic communications and marketing strategies, including developing content, identifying key opportunities, and ensuring mission and brand alignment.
•  Produce publicity information, including press releases, and build and maintain media relationships.

Individual & Institutional Giving 

•  Develop and implement a comprehensive, innovative long-term and short-term fundraising plans, including capital campaign(s) as needed.
•  Identify, research, and investigate new opportunities for funding from a wide variety of government, philanthropic, corporate and individual sources.
•  Oversee the research and writing of grant proposals and reports to government, corporate, foundation or other funders.
•  Initiate, cultivate, and maintain relationships with individual donors, foundation and corporate supporters and local businesses.
•  Lead all fundraising activities, including preparation and execution of  fundraising events and donor cultivation events.
•  Oversee the management of the donor database and all grant reporting requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least five (5) years of experience working with donors in non-profit fundraising at a management or Director level.
• Proven experience designing and implementing strategic fundraising programs that incorporate individual, foundation, corporate, special events, and non-traditional fundraising sources.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to leadership opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups.
• A proven track record of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion through processes and policies.
• Detailed knowledge of the national, regional and local housing and homelessness funding landscape.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with experience managing communications, marketing and social media strategies to promote an organization’s mission and profile.
• Capacity to think strategically and quickly identify viable funding opportunities while balancing competing priorities with limited resources.
• Demonstrated success in building and cultivating relationships that generate revenue for a mission-driven organization.
• Experience with grant writing and fundraising required.
• Ability to interact and work collaboratively with all levels of management, volunteers, the Board of Directors, and the public and ability to work with diverse groups of people.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Stationary position approximately 60% of the time. Operates a computer and other office machinery such as fax, copy machine, phone. Ascends/descends stairs, move inside and outside the office, apartments, buildings, etc. Frequently moves objects weighing up to 30 pounds. Required to have visual acuity to perform the following tasks: operate a motor vehicle, viewing a computer terminal, reading and writing.   

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary range is $120,000 – $150,000; benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic life, voluntary life, long-term disability, optional Aflac, 403(b) retirement plan, professional development budget, coaching programs, vacation and sick time, 15 paid holidays and 2 personal days. This is a full-time, exempt position.