POSITION GUIDE INSTITUTION: POSITION: REPORTS TO: LOCATION: Mercy Housing www.mercyhousing.org Regional Director of Philanthropy Southeast Senior Vice President of Real Estate - Southeast Atlanta, GA MISSION To create stable, vibrant and healthy communities by developing, financing and operating affordable, program-enriched housing for families, seniors and people with special needs who lack the economic resources to access quality, safe housing opportunities. BACKGROUND Mercy Housing, a national nonprofit organization, is working to build a more humane world where poverty is alleviated, communities are healthy and all people can develop their full potential. Mercy believes that affordable housing and supportive programs improve the economic status of residents, revitalize neighborhoods and stabilize lives. Mercy Housing is one of the nation s largest affordable housing organizations, participating in the development, preservation, management and/or financing of affordable, program-enriched housing across the country. Mercy Housing serves a variety of populations with housing projects for low-income families, seniors and people with special needs. Mercy acquires and renovates existing housing, and develops new affordable rental properties.
Mercy Housing is redefining affordable housing by creating a stable foundation where residents can explore their potential, supported by practical resident programs such as health classes, financial education, employment initiatives, parenting and after-school programs for children. Mercy Housing s work spans 43 states and includes the efforts of the following: Mercy Housing Management Group, a subsidiary of Mercy Housing that provides professional property management. Mercy Loan Fund, a subsidiary of Mercy Housing that provides financing to local nonprofit organizations, enabling them to develop affordable housing in their communities. Mercy Portfolio Services, a subsidiary of Mercy Housing that assists communities across the United States to deal effectively with the foreclosure crisis. Mercy Housing also has Geographic Business Centers ( GBC ) located around the nation; they are responsible for the organization s regional real estate development, Resident Services and fundraising activities. Each GBC is directed by a regional board and a regional president. The GBCs of Mercy Housing are organized to encompass states or regions: Mercy Housing California Mercy Housing Lakefront (Illinois and Wisconsin) Mercy Housing Northwest (Idaho and Washington) Mercy Housing Southeast (Georgia, Alabama Kentucky, Tennessee, and North and South Carolina), and Mercy Housing Mountain Plains (Colorado, Nebraska and Arizona) Mercy Housing partners with local communities and makes a long-term commitment, resulting in positive, measurable outcomes for residents and neighborhoods. The organization serves as a catalyst, bringing together resources and talent in ways that are changing the face of affordable housing. More information about Mercy Housing can be found at www.mercyhousing.org. THE OPPORTUNITY Mercy Housing Southeast provides homes for seniors, families and people with special needs - who make an average annual income of about $19,465. Mercy Housing Southeast has developed more than 2,800 quality, affordable homes in
communities in Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. Mercy Housing Southeast has won many awards in the housing industry including a Magnolia Award, Affordable Housing Finance Award and National Trust for Historic Preservation Award. Historically Mercy Housing has been funded predominately through public sector support and institutional giving from corporations and foundations. While this will continue to be a significant source of support going forward there is also a desire to build a base of support from individual donors. The Southeast region serves seven states, although, the majority of philanthropic support is from Atlanta and Savannah. The expectation is that these two areas will continue to present the greatest opportunities to expand fundraising efforts. The development program in the Southeast is relatively small. The desire is to build a more robust philanthropic base of support from both institutional funders and, over time to build support with individual donors. The timing of this effort coincides with an organization-wide effort to increase giving from individual major gift donors across Mercy Housing s five regions. Strategies to achieve this goal will include working with Board of Directors of the Southeast Region as well as the existing staff to create a Board of Advisors, which will become the core volunteer group in support of major and planned gifts. Each of Mercy s regional philanthropy teams will create a Board of Advisors whose members will make up the National Board of Advisors Network. The opportunity now exists for a strong fundraising professional to help lead the growth of the development program for the Southeast region. POSITION SUMMARY Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Real Estate of the Southeast Region, the Regional Director of Philanthropy will work closely with the Southeast real estate development and resident services staff and an engaged Board of Directors to ensure that Mercy Housing-Southeast Region raises sufficient revenue to carry out its mission and achieve its vision. The Regional Director of Philanthropy will be responsible for strategic and operational planning for fundraising in all areas of individual giving, corporate and foundation relations, special events and managing budget priorities. The Regional Director of Philanthropy has direct responsibility for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding a personal portfolio of donors. In addition, with oversight and input from the Senior Vice President of Real Estate and support from the National marketing department the Regional Director of Philanthropy will develop the regional communication plan and materials.
The Regional Director of Philanthropy will be responsible for overseeing engagement initiatives which strengthen constituent relationships, create awareness and build constituent support for Mercy Housing-Southeast. This will include establishing a Board of Advisors as well as developing strategies to strengthen relationships and further engage Board members and current and potential individual and institutional donors to increase their involvement and their inclination for philanthropic support. The Regional Director of Development will participate in Board of Directors and Board of Advisor orientations with the Senior Vice President to help create engagement/cultivation plans for new Board members and communicate fundraising expectations. This person will advise Board and staff on funding opportunities and philanthropic trends. The Regional Director of Philanthropy oversees gift acknowledgement processes and management of the donor database as well prepares revenue and expense budget projections for the Development department and monitors and reports periodically on the status of income and expenses. The Regional Director of Philanthropy also provides leadership and direction for meeting annual and longterm fundraising goals including both revenue goals and donor retention and growth goals. The Regional Director of Philanthropy will be supported by a Foundation Relations manager who will be primarily responsible for grantwriting but will also be available to provide support on events. In addition, the Regional Director will have support from the national office of Philanthropy. The Regional Director will ensure that the Foundation Relations manager receives appropriate training and mentoring. He or she is accountable for departmental performance and is responsible for benchmarking and evaluation to support philanthropic giving and maintaining high compliance standards for donor relations. CANDIDATE PROFILE We seek a development professional with a demonstrated commitment to the mission of Mercy Housing. Specifically, prior experience increasing philanthropic support for housing and/or community development organizations is strongly preferred. Experience building successful fundraising programs resulting in significant, measurable increases in giving is sought. Prior experience successfully engaging key stakeholders will define his or her accomplishments. Entrepreneurial experience that proves the candidate s ability to recognize and act on fund raising opportunities that may be innovative or non-traditional would be highly valued. A broad understanding of all institutional fundraising strategies as well as the proven ability to overcome the barriers to implementing such, is expected. A spirit of inquisitiveness, an ability to think strategically, and work collaboratively with a strong work ethic are essential.
Candidates who can demonstrate their ability to actively seek out new prospect or donor relationships, who appreciate the cultivation and stewardship process and who can successfully close gift opportunities are most desired. Qualified candidates will either have pre-existing relationships or will demonstrate the ability to quickly develop exceptional relationships with funders. The individual must have the ability to lead volunteers that are to be involved in philanthropic activities. The candidate should be able to relate well to people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds and demonstrate a willingness to participate in the life of the institution at all levels. Skilled in goal setting and assessment, the qualified candidate will have exceptional people skills including an ability to communicate in a positive motivating and, engaging way. Excellent organizational and management skills are required to manage multiple competing priorities. A creative and energetic individual who functions well within a fast-paced, team environment, which includes cross-department coordination, is sought. The ideal candidate is a poised individual who is supportive, diplomatic, personable, and comfortable rolling up his or her sleeves. QUALIFICATIONS Education: Bachelor s degree required in nonprofit management, business, communications, public relations, marketing, policy/advocacy or related field. CFRE certification is a plus. Evidence of continuing professional education in such areas as comprehensive campaign implementation, planned and estate gifts and leadership development would be a plus. Experience: Minimum of five years experience in fund development, including major gifts cultivation and solicitation, in a housing, community development, human services or social services setting is preferred. Active participation in local business and social clubs, civic organizations and community activities is a plus. COMPENSATION A comprehensive compensation package, including health and retirement benefits, will include a competitive base salary.
To apply, please send a current resume and letter of introduction to Noetic Search at resumes@noeticexsearch.com. For more information, please visit the Mercy Housing website at www.mercyhousing.org.