So many non-profit organizations are hiring Directors of Development without really knowing/understanding what “development” is supposed to be about and how a DOD is supposed to function.
For many organizations, the Director of Development is the person hired to write the grant proposals, or create relationships with corporations, or create/run the event that’s going to raise the big bucks.
The misunderstanding is the belief that “Director of Development” equates to “income generator.” So many NPOs hire DODs with the belief that they’re getting someone who will raise the needed funds; and, the sad thing is that so many NPOs hire DODs so that organizational leadership (board and other senior staff) won’t have to be involved in (or even think about) fundraising.
Hire a person to raise the money, and the amount of money that can be raised is limited by the time/effort that one person is willing/able to give to the process.
Hire a person to create and/or direct a development program and there’s no theoretical limit to how much money can be raised … considering the person’s level of experience and expertise.
A Director of Development creates and/or plans-for-and-directs a development program … an effort that incorporates many (if not all) of the elements of the development process: mass solicitation (mail or telephone), grants (government, foundation and corporate), events, major gifts, bequests, donor cultivation, etc….
How many organizations do you know of that have a Director of Development who isn’t !!??
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Have a question about starting or expanding your fundraising? Email me at AskDCA@Major-Capital-Giving.com. With over 30 years of counseling in major gifts, capital campaigns, bequest programs and the planning studies to precede these three, we’ll work to answer your question.
Finally, I have an article (your post) that I can refer clients to when they keep asserting that all they need to do is hire a Development Director — OR, when the Board wants to fire the Development Director because he/she hasn’t generated enough income!
Thank you for providing some insight and education, as well as encouragement. I work for a small non-profit and manage Museum daily operations, volunteers, outreach programming, and general office support as well as attempt to develop funding sources. I am not as successful as I want/need to be in bringing in much needed funds; now I know why. Thanks.