THE CLIENT

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

Mission Statement: The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.

The Trevor Project was founded by James Lecesne, Peggy Rajski and Randy Stone, creators of the 1994 Academy-Award winning short film, Trevor, a comedy/drama about a gay 13-year old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life.  When Trevor was scheduled to air on HBO, the filmmakers realized that some of the program’s teen viewers might be facing the same crisis as Trevor and began to search for a support hotline to be broadcast during the airing.  They discovered that no such line existed and decided to dedicate themselves to forming what was, in their view, a much-needed resource: an organization to promote acceptance of gay and questioning youth, and to aid in suicide prevention among that group.

The Trevor Helpline was established to coincide with HBO’s airing of the film in 1998.  Three call centers, one in Los Angeles, one in New York and now the Harvey Milk Call Center in San Francisco, are staffed 24 hours a day by volunteer counselors who attend intensive trainings and undergo extensive background checks. Also, in the event of extremely sensitive situations, there is a clinician on call 24/7. In the first year alone, the helpline received close to 15,000 calls and now fields nearly 30,000 calls a year.

The Trevor Project’s program initiatives encompass the following:

  • Saving Lives

The Trevor Lifeline is still the nation’s only 24/7/365 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ youth.  Trevor Chat is an online chat service that connects LGBTQ young people to a trained volunteer through The Trevor Project website.  And Ask Trevor is an online forum in which young people can submit questions about sexual orientation and gender identity and receive a direct response.

  • Building Community

TrevorSpace is a social networking community where LGBTQ youth and their friends and allies can express themselves in a moderated forum. Trevor Ambassadors are local volunteers in six U.S. cities who work with their local communities and school districts on suicide prevention protocol and raise awareness of The Trevor Project’s resources. The Youth Advisory Council is made up of 20 youth ages 13-24 who are trained to help advise on, and deliver, Trevor’s services.

  • Changing Society

The Trevor Project’s broader societal impact initiatives include Educational Programs targeted at youth audiences at the middle school, high school and college level, Ally Development Training for workplace groups and Advocacy Initiatives in the form of a broad range of legislative and policy efforts.

Governed by a 30-person Board of Directors, The Trevor Project has an operating budget of $4.5 million, a full time staff of 22, 12 part-time staff members and nearly 600 active volunteers.

The Trevor Ambassadors Committee is an official Board committee comprised of local volunteers who are committed to expanding programmatic, communications and fundraising efforts to new geographic areas. Ambassador Committees are located in San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., and growing. Trevor NextGen is a group of young adults, primarily in their 20s and 30s, in Los Angeles and New York who are committed to expanding The Trevor Project’s efforts in their communities.

Benefits and special events comprise a large portion of The Trevor Project’s outreach activities.  The annual Garden Party and Trevor Live events in Los Angeles and New York have been supported by the participation of Daniel Radcliffe, Dustin Lance Black, Robin Williams, Kelly Ripa, Ellen Degeneres, Felicity Huffman, Sir Ian McKellan, Lily Tomlin, Marcia Cross, Drew Carey, Debra Messing, Megan Mullaly, Armistead Maupin and a host of other notable figures.  There are a variety of additional events throughout the year, all designed to invite and accommodate the participation of donors at every level of giving.

Of its $4.5 million budget, approximately 33% is event income (including corporate sponsorship), 30% from major gifts (those of $500 and up), 10% from unrestricted corporate donations, 10% from foundations and the balance from annual appeals, direct mail, etc.

Approximately 76% of the agency’s budget is dedicated to direct programmatic support, with the balance spent on administration and fundraising.  Its 2011-2012 goal is to increase that ratio to 79% for program support.

THE POSITION

The Director of Development is a newly created position, part of the executive management team for the organization and slated to be one of three direct reports to the Executive Director. The Director of Development staffs a 24-member Development Committee and works closely to coordinate and integrate an active and participatory Board of Directors in Trevor’s development goals and activities. S/he also leads the seven-member development department and directly supervises the following positions:

  • Corporate Relations Officer
  • Institutional Giving Officer
  • Major Gifts Officer – East
  • Major Gifts Officer – West
  • Events Director (Ticketed Events)
  • Development Associate (Development Administration)

In addition, the new Director of Development will be expected to assume oversight responsibility for the emerging area of government grants, which hold significant funding potential for the work of the organization.

Key duties and responsibilities include the following:

  • Provide the leadership, strategic direction, management and coordination for all aspects of Trevor’s fundraising efforts and managing the development department in a fiscally sound manner;
  • Prepare the annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Development Committee for presentation to the Board of Directors; provide detailed reports about the fundraising progress to the Executive Director and Development Committee of the Board on a regular basis;
  • Implement fundraising strategies that increase the organization’s support from individuals, corporations, foundations and other sources, with a special emphasis on developing individual and corporate donors;
  • Play a key, hands-on role in identifying, cultivating and soliciting major donors for annual and multi-year gifts;
  • Provide assistance as needed to Trevor’s Ambassador Markets which currently include San Francisco, San Diego, Washington DC, Chicago, Philadelphia and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, and to its NextGen volunteers in New York and Los Angeles, whose volunteer leaders support the organization through their fundraising, program work and media relations;
  • Build partnering relationship with The Trevor Project’s leadership and staff; understand programs thoroughly, work collaboratively with program directors to integrate fund development strategies throughout the organization; involve directors and managers in relationship building as appropriate;
  • Work effectively with the Board of Directors, Development Committee and other key volunteers, leveraging their talents, resources and ideas to enhance fundraising activities; understand the Board’s giving patterns; enhance board members’ ability to identify fundraising opportunities and encourage their ongoing participation as donors and solicitors;
  • Develop and maintain close working relationships with the philanthropic community, individual and corporate donors and sponsors, board members, volunteer committees, and other Trevor departments; serve as a visible spokesperson and advocate for Trevor’s mission and programs in the funding community;
  • Supervise, motivate and train the growing team of development professionals; ensure that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to support the Trevor’s future fundraising goals; identify and develop professional growth opportunities for the development staff;
  • Ensure that all donors are appropriately thanked and receive regular communication; make donor stewardship a priority throughout the organization.
  • Ensure a highly skilled professional fundraising staff is in place to create stable flow of funds and maintain diverse source of revenue.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Our client is seeking a seasoned fundraising executive with a minimum of 10-15 years of successful development experience, including 3-5 years as the manager of a high performing team and a complex fundraising program in a sophisticated organization with a reputation for excellence.  A demonstrable track record of personally identifying, cultivating and soliciting individual donors, corporations and foundations for support is essential. Experience with LGBT constituencies, while not required, is desirable. Equivalent profit sector experience in sales, marketing, or other related disciplines coupled with nonprofit volunteer work will also be considered.

In addition, s/he should have:

  • Proven experience and track record of success with major donor solicitation and the ability and confidence to make the ask when appropriate
  • Demonstrated experience in managing people and budgets.
  • A record of measurable results in organizing and implementing such activities as: major gifts, annual funds, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, direct response and special events;
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and quickly gain the respect and support of various constituencies, including board and staff members, donors, foundation and civic leaders; experience recruiting and organizing volunteers;
  • A solid understanding of nonprofit fiscal management, principles and best practices;
  • A track record as an effective communicator; highly developed skills in writing and speaking; competence at crafting proposals, donor correspondence and other kinds of materials; the ability to communicate Trevor’s mission and interests to a broad audience;
  • Familiarity with the major donor community in Los Angeles and New York, as well as other major US cities where Trevor has a presence would be a plus.
  • Computer literacy; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge is highly desirable;

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

The ideal candidate will be a strategist who possess strong leadership skills and who is adept at planning, prioritizing, organizing and following through; highly energetic and able to balance multiple competing priorities.  In addition, s/he will be:

  • Highly entrepreneurial; resourceful and flexible, with the ability to anticipate and act on events and opportunities which may advance Trevor’s work locally, regionally, and nationally;
  • Comfortable with goal setting, quantifying results and accountability;
  • Committed to, knowledgeable of and enthusiastic about Trevor’s mission and programs;
  • A team builder with strong skills in management and leadership; must have an understanding of the subtleties of motivating and directing a diverse group of personalities;
  • A catalyst with vision who can create excitement and energy around  Trevor’s programs and encourage others to support the organization; persuasive, persistent, and determined in the pursuit of the organization’s fundraising goals;
  • Straightforward and self-possessed; one who shares information readily, listens as well as gives advice and respects the abilities of others; diplomatic;
  • Energetic and willing to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of fundraising activities ranging from the day-to-day to the highly creative and visible;
  • Possessed of a strong work ethic and the recognition that development is not a 9-5 job; that evening and weekend work is sometimes required for success;
  • Emotionally mature with a sense of humor to maintain balance.
  • Self-Motivated, detail oriented and highly organized
  • Trustworthy and loyal, committed
  • Connects well with people
  • Resourceful, visionary and strategic thinker

COMPENSATION

Our client is offering a competitive compensation package for this position with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, FSA, tax deferred retirement investment and paid leave.

OPPORTUNITY

The Trevor Project offers a unique opportunity to make a substantive and long-lasting impact on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people and their families.  LGBTQ youth face many societal factors that put them at higher risk for self-destructive behaviors, including suicide – the leading cause of death among these young people. The Trevor Project believes many of these tragedies are preventable.

This young organization is poised for a period of major growth and expansion. In the past two years, its budget has increased by 235% and staff size has increased proportionally. Its loyal and committed Board, many of whom are leaders in the entertainment, marketing, financial and healthcare industries, provides a diverse base of support for the organization and its Executive Director.  The successful candidate will have the satisfaction of guiding a growing, highly visible and market leading organization through its next phase of development and of stewarding a collaborative group effort of profound humanitarian merit.

To apply, please send a résumé and cover letter via e-mail or fax to:

Joe McCormack, Managing Partner  & Kevin Chase, Partner

McCormack & Associates

1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive

Suite 110-202

Palm Springs, CA 92264

Phone  323.549.9200

Fax:      323.549.9222

Email:     search@mccormackassociates.com

Online:   www.mccormackassociates.com

All inquiries or referrals will be held in strict confidence.

Please note that your education, dates of employment, compensation and other information provided will be verified prior to employment.

McCormack & Associates works only with equal opportunity employers.

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