Summary

For over 50 years, Voyageur Outward Bound School (VOBS) has changed lives through challenge and discovery. We know that personal discovery leads to positive transformation. Our students grow character and compassion through nature-based adventure. Our vision is more resilient and compassionate people for a more resilient and compassionate world.

Voyageur Outward Bound School is a charter of Outward Bound USA, the leading provider of experiential education for youth and adults. We design and deliver intensive single-day and extended wilderness expedition experiences that build and develop character, leadership and service through shared experience.

VOBS delivers high impact programs across three sites: Twin Cities Center in St Paul, MN, Homeplace Wilderness Basecamp in Ely, MN and Big Bend Basecamp in Redford, TX.

Our values are integrity, excellence, compassion, inclusion and safety. Our instructors are highly trained and experienced. We are proud to be recognized as one of the 100 Best places to work by Outside magazine for consecutive years.

Collaboration with educational and non-profit organizations is critical to our mission. We partner with schools, colleges, non-profit organizations and families to serve their youth and young adults with programs that support specific educational goals.

Description

Voyageur Outward Bound School seeks a proven nonprofit fundraising leader with a track record of success driving growth and diversification in contributed revenue streams as its next Director of Development. This position will assume leadership of a small, talented team and offers the exciting opportunity to both design and implement a comprehensive development program, as well as manage a portfolio of loyal, passionate, and committed major donors and prospects.

The Director of Development is central to Voyageur Outward Bound’s mission and vision. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. This leader is the chief fundraising and development officer for VOBS and is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive development program to ensure that VOBS’ life-changing courses are accessible to anyone.

This role has a direct impact on VOBS’ capacity to serve more emerging leaders – especially leaders of color – for a more compassionate and resilient world. Thanks to an enterprising team and dedicated donors, VOBS currently enjoys a robust $6M endowment. In the near future, the next development leader can look forward to helping VOBS celebrate its 60th anniversary and launching a multi-million dollar capital campaign.

The Director of Development works closely with the Executive Director, Development Team, Leadership Team, Director of Marketing and Communications, Board of Directors and key stakeholders. This fundraising leader is responsible for enhancing, growing and activating a culture and community of philanthropy to sustain VOBS’ mission and vision.

The Director reports to and works closely with the Executive Director, serves as a key member of the VOBS Leadership Team and acts as a liaison between Development and Executive Leadership. The Director of Development supervises a nimble team of fundraising professionals, including a Donor Engagement Manager, Development Associate, a contract grant writer and, in the near future, an additional gifts officer.

This role is the point of accountability for diversifying and increasing VOBS’ contributed revenue streams. The Director of Development will spend the majority of their time cultivating long-term, sustainable relationships via a portfolio of qualified major gift prospects and donors. VOBS has a loyal, passionate, and committed donor base with a strong year-over-year donor retention rate, but seeks to grow current and new relationships.

VOBS values inclusion and is committed to equity and diversity. The Director of Development plays an important role in making Outward Bound accessible for anyone. VOBS welcomes candidates who are passionate about Outward Bound’s mission to change lives through challenge and discovery, and energized by this unique opportunity to enact VOBS’ vision for a more compassionate and resilient world.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and create a comprehensive development program that is focused on fundraising strategies with the highest return on investment, and provide primary leadership for the advancement of philanthropy across the organization.
• Oversee the Development Department’s design and implementation of both short- and long-term fundraising plans.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and management to a development team through direct and delegated supervision of team member work.
• Be a primary voice with the Executive Director and Leadership Team to set long-term and short-range development goals aligned with VOBS’ strategic direction.
• Work with the Executive Director to mutually determine annual and long-term performance measures for the Development Team, monitor overall fundraising productivity, and assess progress toward fundraising goals.
• Create and manage the Development Department’s annual budget.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy to ensure fundraising strategies and relationship management efforts are executed in keeping with the organization’s values, vision, and mission.

Fundraising Execution & Support

• Lead a robust major gift program to maximize contributed income now and in the future.
• Manage a portfolio of 85 – 100 qualified major gift prospects with an emphasis on cultivating philanthropic relationships that lead to deeper engagement and financial commitment.
• Support the Executive Director in the cultivation and solicitation of the organization’s top donors and funders.
• Work with Development Team Members to advance mid-level donors to greater giving and broaden the pool of annual donors contributing $5,000+.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve on the VOBS Leadership Team to provide strategic input and expertise for the organization’s operations in general, and VOBS’ development initiatives in particular.
• Keep the Leadership Team informed of philanthropic, economic, and social trends that might impact the organization’s fundraising efforts and the success of its strategic plan.
• Attend Board and Development Committee meetings and provide insight on development activities.
• Interact with members of the Board and other key volunteers to secure their confidence and support while enlisting and motivating them to participate in fundraising activities.