Manager, Mission Advancement

Company Description

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living opportunities. As the world's largest organization of its kind, Best Buddies serves people with conditions such as Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and more, aiming to end social and economic isolation for this community. Through its impactful programs, Best Buddies helps individuals with IDD build meaningful relationships, develop vital life and communication skills, and enhance their independence. The organization is committed to creating a more inclusive society where everyone feels valued and supported.

Role Description

The Manager, Mission Advancement will oversee the implementation and growth of Best Buddies programs in Western Massachusetts, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. The Manager, Mission Advancement is responsible for engaging, training, and supporting volunteers in Best Buddies school and community programs, and implementing a comprehensive strategy for securing sustainable local funding through development of state events and foundation and/or grant opportunities.

Programs

• Determines state/region needs to expand Best Buddies programs in elementary, middle, and high schools, colleges, and at the citizen corporate level and through community buddy pairs
• Supports volunteers and participants through direct and consistent communication using virtual networks, online platforms, and in-person meetings
• Provides mission-focused guidance and support to participants and volunteers to ensure they are working towards overall mission outcomes
• Selects and trains chapter leaders in each program, specifically focused on the certification and ongoing training of school/corporate faculty to serve as chapter advisors
• Provides on-going training to participants, including hosting quarterly in-person trainings for chapter leaders, hosting Leadership Training Days for regional volunteers, and leading Ambassador Trainings for participants with IDD
• Ensures full participation from local chapter advisors and student leaders in the Annual Leadership Conference
• Tracks and evaluates completion of onboarding benchmarks to ensure all new chapters understand programmatic expectations to fully meet all Best Buddies goals, deadlines, and expectations
• Manages Citizens Corporate and Community chapters; identify and onboard Corporate/Community Chapter leads and provide support to identified liaisons
• Responsible for tracking all reporting and chapter updates using online platforms 
• Helps to develop a pipeline for growth in the state by making contacts with schools, community groups, corporations, etc. as determined by State/Area Director 

Development

• Implements a comprehensive strategy for securing sustainable local funding
• Assumes overall operational management responsibility for all local fundraising activities, including, but not limited to, foundation and corporate giving, individual giving, major gifts, special events, annual giving, and alumni/parent relations
• Identifies, cultivates, and develops volunteers capable of making personal commitments and becoming directly involved in the solicitation process on behalf of Best Buddies - develops and manages the stewardship process of all donors, including processing gifts and thank you letters
• Works with State Director/Area Director to develop and implement major fundraising events to meet revenue goals–must utilize local event committees and follow BBI event committee benchmarks/structure
• Researches grant opportunities and cultivates relationships with local funders; works with Grants Manager to determine appropriate grant targets. Assists with the development of applications and reports and works directly with the funder to build the local relationship

Marketing

• Creates a strong presence for Best Buddies in the local area through public speaking, community involvement, public service announcements, social media, special events, news releases, and other media initiatives 
• Develops relationships with local graphic artists, public relations professionals, and advertising agencies to support local need
• Contributes to the organization of content and images for updates on state website and utilizes the Summa database appropriately to communicate with participants and the community
• Contributes to the creation and distribution of local newsletters/annual reports and Summa e-newsletters

Operations

• Maintains communication with the State Director/Area Director with timely reports and other information as directed
• Oversees timely and accurate processing of all revenue and invoices and maintains accurate records of all donations and excellent donor information through Raisers Edge