The Women’s Fund of East Tennessee (WFET) is a 501(c)3 public, non-profit supporting organization of the East Tennessee Foundation (ETF). With a mission to serve as a catalyst to transform the lives of low-income women and girls in East Tennessee, the organization focuses on post-secondary education as a means to achieve self-sustainability through grants to and collaboration with its network of grantee non-profits, known as the Strong Women Strong Futures Network (SWSF). Fundraising by the organization is focused on 1) our Endowment, managed and secured by ETF to support the network, as well as 2) the Self-Sustainability Fund, secured through the organization’s annual operating budget.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director/CDO’s primary responsibilities are to secure funding to increase the Endowment and Self-Sustainability Fund, oversee grantee selection in both funding channels (SWSF Network and Self-Sustainability), and distribute grant funding. The Executive Director will report to the Chair of the Board and the Executive Committee.
SCOPE OF POSITION
- Develop an immediate and long-range strategic plan for fundraising that includes targets, both corporate and individual, with an effective tracking system.
- Manage oversight of the annual operating budget and opportunities to effectively reduce expenses.
- Build and expand donor and grantee relationships within the 25-county region represented, as time allows, with an obvious focus on the Knox-centric areas.
- Promote the mission of WFET through speaking engagements, attendance at large community events, and meetings with key community leaders, potential donors, grantee board members, and others.
- Work alongside contractors hired by WFET to enhance fundraising potential, through grants or other means, representative to all existing and future funding channels.
- Prepare Executive and Board Meeting information packets and distribute a day prior to meetings.
- Attend all WFET Executive, Board, Committee, and Network meetings, creating a team-oriented atmosphere that includes organizational planning and project implementation.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
ASSET DEVELOPMENT
- Take leadership of growing the current Endowment Fund in the short-term to $6 million from the current level of +$4 million, ultimately achieving the long-range goal of $10 – $15 million (by 2030).
- Utilize East Tennessee Foundation and Board resources to enhance fundraising potential.
- Routinely interact with and steward both previous and potential high-end donors.
- Outline strategic plans for growth within and outside of the Knox County areas and review annually.
- Assist the Development Committee in leveraging Board and other WFET/ETF relationships that lead to donor asks and commitments.
- Host annual events that highlight the importance of charitable contributions to WFET (annual luncheon, end-of-life giving seminar, legacy dinner).
- Ensure upkeep of accurate data in donor management system, potentially through acquisition of a UT intern.
ADMINISTRATION
- Hire, direct, and annually evaluate additional Women’s Fund staff.
- Oversee monthly and annual budgeting and financial management, including the yearly ETF audit, with the support of our contracted bookkeeper.
- Vision-cast annually with the Board and Development Chairs to implement an effective long-range strategic plan with actionable goals for ED role.
- Utilize shared calendar with Board Chair and Executive Committee with meeting names and objectives.
- Collaborate with the Board and Governance Chairs to attract future board members who are able to raise funds.
- Adhere to best practices of nonprofit enterprises, including adherence to all standard policies and regulations, as well as the WFET Policies and Procedures Handbook.
COMMUNICATION
- Demonstrate diplomacy and consensus building throughout all interactions.
- Develop and edit all materials distributed by email, mail, social media, and other means on behalf of WFET, including a template of key WFET messages for speaking engagements that can be tailored to a specific audience.
- Work collaboratively with the Network Building and Grant Making Committee Chair to promote our mission, advocate on behalf of low-income women and girls, plan and host network convenings, and help guide the grant selection process.
- Pursue regional and national alliances with other Women’s Fund Networks, as well as key local organizations where connections and exposure can result in advancement of fundraising and other strategic goals.
- Stay up-to-date and informed about economic and political issues affecting low-income women and girls in our 25-county region.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education – Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or commensurate experience desirable.
- Prior Work Experience – Management experience and extensive experience in building philanthropic assets required; promoting the interests of low-income women and girls OR direct experience working with them; exposure to grant writing and grant funding highly desirable.
- Leadership Experience – Must be an effective motivator of others; an exemplary representative in dress, decorum, and diplomacy; have a self-starter mentality and entrepreneurial spirit; exhibit independent time-management skills; accustomed to working with people of varying backgrounds.
- Communication and Organizational Skills – Must have highly developed speaking and writing skills; experience in managing a non-profit organization with little to no staff; be able to organize and execute detailed plans without committee oversight.
- Basic Computer Software Skills – Including Microsoft Office, social media, and donor management
systems (Neon One).
To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to hello@greenmeadowspartners.com.
