Advancement Manager

ABOUT THE MICHAEL J. DIAS FOUNDATION

Founded in 2012, the Michael J. Dias Foundation honors the memory of Michael J. Dias by supporting individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders. Through education, sober-living homes, and community outreach, the Foundation is dedicated to fostering drug-free communities. Its mission is rooted in honesty, accountability, compassion, and altruism. The Foundation has grown to operate multiple sober homes, including Michael’s House, Sean’s Place, and Christian and Brian’s House, and aims to expand its impact with additional sober-living communities and long-term financial sustainability.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Advancement Manager is a frontline revenue-generating role responsible for building and executing a comprehensive fundraising program for the Michael J. Dias Foundation. This position focuses on growing philanthropic support through individual giving, grants, annual fund development, and community partnerships.

The role is externally focused and centered on, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of private donors and grantmaking foundations. The Advancement Manager partners with the Executive Director and Board of Directors while maintaining ownership of fundraising activity and revenue growth. Success is measured by expansion of the donor base, increased giving, and sustainable funding streams. The Advancement Manager must be committed to the advancement of the Foundation’s mission and vision.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

(The Responsibilities listed below are intended only as examples of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Research, identify, and prioritize funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government sources aligned with Foundation programs and strategic priorities.
• Develop, write, and submit grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and supporting materials, coordinating with staff and the Executive Director to gather program data and impact information.
• Manage the full grant lifecycle, including proposal development, submission timelines, renewals, and required reporting.
• Maintain organized records of institutional funders, application materials, communications, and reporting schedules.
• Ensure proposals, budgets, and narratives accurately reflect program activities and align with both funder requirements and organizational goals.
• Plan and execute the Foundation’s Annual Fund, including annual appeals, segmented outreach, and follow-up communications.
• Build and manage a donor pipeline in collaboration with the Executive Director, identifying, qualifying, and cultivating prospective supporters.
• Establish and grow recurring giving opportunities and donor retention strategies.
• Conduct cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings with donors, sponsors, and community partners.
• Partner with the Executive Director in preparing and facilitating major gift solicitations.
• Track fundraising activity and progress toward revenue goals to inform strategy and improve results.

REVENUE PERFORMANCE AND REPORTING

1. Maintain accountabilities for all contributed revenue by tracking fundraising activity, donor engagement, retention, and growth trends.
2. Manage grant reporting requirements, ensuring timely submission of required reports and maintaining positive relationships with institutional funders.
3. Develop and maintain centralized records of donors, prospects, and funders, including giving history, cultivation activity, and renewal schedules.
4. Monitor annual fund performance, including participation rates, recurring giving, response rates, and average gift size; recommend strategy adjustments based on results.
5. Produce regular fundraising performance updates for the Executive Director, including pipeline status, upcoming solicitations, and revenue projections.
6. Create stewardship reporting for donors and funders demonstrating program impact and reinforcing continued support.
7. Establish simple, repeatable tracking processes that allow the Foundation to measure progress toward fundraising goals over time.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

1. Develop and strengthen relationships with institutional funders, individual donors, sponsors, and community partners to expand philanthropic support for the Foundation.
2. Maintain an active portfolio of prospects and supporters, documenting interactions, next steps, and engagement strategies within the Foundation’s centralized database.
3. Identify and pursue opportunities to introduce new supporters to the Foundation through meetings, tours, presentations, and community engagement.
4. Represent the Foundation at networking events, community gatherings, and partner meetings to increase awareness and cultivate prospective donors and funders.
5. Collaborate with the Executive Director and Board members to support relationship-building efforts and coordinated outreach.
6. Support capital and special campaign initiatives, including participation on the Women’s House Capital Campaign committee.

COMMUNICATIONS/MARKETING

1. Develop and implement donor-centered communications that inspire giving and demonstrate program impact across print, digital, and in-person channels.
2. Create fundraising appeals and follow-up communications, including the Annual Appeal and targeted outreach to specific donor segments.
3. Produce stewardship and impact updates that reinforce donor engagement and retention.
4. Collaborate with staff to gather stories, outcomes, and program data and translate them into compelling fundraising narratives.
5. Work with the Executive Director and Board to align messaging with fundraising priorities and campaign strategies.
6. Track response rates and engagement to evaluate effectiveness of communications and refine future outreach.

FINANCE

1. Work with Executive Director and other Foundation staff to ensure all incoming grants, donations, corporate donations, etc. are correctly identified/recorded and any restrictions/stipulations are understood so they can be properly recorded/administered. 

OTHER DUTIES

Perform other duties as assigned/directed by the Executive Director.

BENEFITS

This is a full-time, exempt position with a starting salary range of $60,000 - $65,000, commensurate with experience.    In addition to paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays), we offer a healthcare stipend and a 3% match on SIMPLE IRA contributions, upon eligibility.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services Administration, Non-profit Management, Marketing, Communications or related field. In lieu of a degree, consideration will be given for relevant work experience in a similar role.
• 3 years of private foundation, non-profit, corporations and/or government grant writing experience.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents and possess strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to research and organize data and information into coherent and comprehensive concepts and communicate them in writing.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and visual communication skills are a must.
• Ability to use MS Office suite.
• Experience with fundraising software and donor databases.
• Experience managing multiple projects and effectively prioritizing while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with innovative approach a plus.
• Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
• Deep commitment to the Organization’s Mission and Values
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Ability to produce presentations, videos, and other media to be utilized at fundraising and other events.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective, professional relationships with all internal and external contacts.
• A valid Massachusetts Driver’s license is required.
• CPR & First Aid certified and trained (or willing to be trained) to administer Narcan.

WORKIG CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Environment – This is a hybrid position with duties performed at least 3 days per week in an office environment in our sober homes with the ability to work remote the other 2 days.  Position will require working with the public  involving attendance at various events, outside meetings, etc.  Position requires a flexible schedule and occasionally, requires working on a weekend or evening. 

Physical Requirements - Required to walk, stand, sit, talk, observe and hear; operate office equipment requiring eye-hand coordination. Must be able to lift objects weighing up to 20 lbs. Must be able to communicate in writing and verbally.

We are an Equal Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act Employer who encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.