Development Director/Fundraiser

ABOUT BIG CAT HABITAT

Big Cat Habitat Conservation & Education Center is a 501(c)(3) community impact organization in Sarasota, Florida, dedicated to providing a safe, loving home to animals in need while promoting conservation, education, and connection.

Home to more than 300 exotic and domestic animals, Big Cat Habitat provides lifelong care, quality nutrition, veterinary services, enrichment, and safe, species-appropriate habitats. Through educational programs, animal encounters, community partnerships, and visitor experiences, we help people develop a greater understanding of animals and the important connection between people, wildlife, and our environment.

Big Cat demonstrates and live by the idea that we are all connected! Our new Development Director will work to deepen our connections in our community, offering supporters, sponsors and donors the opportunity to make a great impact on our mission and to the animals, our visitors who come from far and wide, and the local community that we serve.

POSITION SUMMARY

Big Cat Habitat is seeking an energetic, relationship-driven Development Director to help develop and strengthen the organization's philanthropic support. They will be responsible for planning, organizing and executing Big Cat Habitat’s fundraising plan to support our mission. This role is accountable for building and strengthening relationships with individuals, businesses, foundations and community partners while stewarding donors, developing sponsorship opportunities and helping create a more systematic and sustainable fundraising program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Apply best practices, assess needs, and then develop and execute Big Cat Habitat’s annual fundraising plan and capital campaigns.
• Develop compelling cases for support and coordinate consistent donor and community communications in collaboration with marketing and administrative staff.
• Develops policy, practices, and fundraising programs as needed.
• Build relationships and collaborative partnerships in the regional community with businesses, foundations, professional organizations and community leaders to create awareness and engagement in Big Cat Habitat’s mission.
• Develops and implements all fundraising activities including major gifts, grants, events, and capital campaigns.
• Coordinates donor visits, tours, meetings, recognition and follow-up.
• Manages the overall annual fundraising budget, working collaboratively with leadership and the Board of Directors on progress.
• Responsible for reporting fundraising progress and tracking fundraising results.
• Identify appropriate private, corporate, legacy gifts, and community foundation opportunities.
• Develop and support grant proposals, required documentation, reporting, and stewardship for foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities.
• Communicate with volunteers to empower them to be dedicated to the mission and recognized as potential donors.
• Ensure donors are thanked properly and develop meaningful donor-recognition and stewardship practices; utilizing and managing the donor database to ensure that current and protentional donors are qualified, cultivated, solicited, and stewarded.
• Help create a culture in which donors understand the direct impact of their generosity.
• Works with the leadership and the Board of Directors, including the fundraising and finance committee, on all development-related activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A passion for the Big Cat Habitat’s mission, vision, and values.
• Bachelor’s Degree, CFRE or ACFRE accreditation is a plus.
• A minimum of 4 years of progressively successful fundraising experience
• Experience in donor cultivation and grant writing.
• Proven track record of raising funds from diverse sources, including major gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Knowledge of and connection to the local funding community, foundations, etc.
• Experience in communications and public relations.
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational, managerial, and communication skills
• Experience with donor management software, Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and/or other similar platforms.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a good energy level and comfort dealing with all levels of individuals.
• A high level of personal initiative and integrity and self-directed/self-motivated.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends, when required.

WHY JOIN BIG CAT HABITAT?

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of an established Sarasota nonprofit. Funds raised through this role have a direct and visible impact on animal care, habitats, education, conservation, and the visitor experience. The right person will help build the next generation of philanthropy and community support at Big Cat Habitat.

DISCLAIMER: Job descriptions are not meant to be all-inclusive, and the job itself is subject to change. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Application Question(s):

• Have a passion for Animals

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• fundraising : 4 years (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000 - $90,000