Development Manager

Organization Description

Thumbs Up was founded in 2014 by several community members in honor of two great men, Bob Schmit and Chuck Dahlheimer, who, like many others, took their lives after living in silence from a mental illness. Through its nine program areas, Thumbs Up supports all of Central Minnesota.

Thumbs Up Mission

Bringing awareness to mental health and providing support and resources to all.

Thumbs Up is all about embracing those struggling and breaking the stigma around mental health.

Connecting, supporting, and encouraging one another to talk about their feelings and challenges and to “KEEP MOVING FORWARD.”

We want to Educate and teach about mental illness, the warning signs of suicide, what you can do to help others who struggle, and community awareness initiatives.

Position Overview

Thumbs Up is seeking an energetic, diligent, self-motivated, and articulate team player who excels at building relationships to join its staff as a Development Manager. This role will immerse you in various aspects of foundation operations, all within a collaborative and supportive team environment.

The Development Manager will be hands-on in donor relations, fundraising, grant writing, event planning, and administration, working in close partnership with the Executive Director and Program and Operations Manager.

Applicants who have previous donor relationships, fundraising, grant writing, event planning, management, administrative, and communications experience are preferred. An understanding of the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors is a plus.

Responsibilities include

Donor Relations & Stakeholders:

• Cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with current and potential donors. This includes engaging with individual, corporate, and foundation donors to ensure continued support.
• Regularly communicating with donors through emails, phone calls, meetings, and chamber events to keep them informed about the organization’s progress and impact.
• Acknowledging donors for their contributions through thank-you notes, public recognition, and personalized updates.
• Maintaining an up-to-date and accurate donor database, tracking interactions, donations, and engagement history.
• Help create the year-end donor impact report. (Annually)
• Develop and execute a plan to secure new individual donors
• Develop and execute a plan to secure monthly donors
• Develop and execute a plan to secure new corporate sponsors.
• Manage and lead the Fundraising Subcommittee (quarterly meetings)
• Tracking and reporting on the impact of fundraising efforts, using metrics to guide strategies, and communicating successes to donors and stakeholders.

Administration & Financial

• Work alongside the Executive Director to execute fundraising strategies, including campaigns, grant applications, individual solicitations, and corporate sponsorships.
• Monitoring fundraising performance, analyzing results, and making adjustments to strategies as needed.
• Identifying, applying for, and managing grants from foundations and government sources.
• Digital Fundraising: Create online fundraising strategies, social media engagement, and digital marketing efforts.

Other

• In conjunction with the Executive Director, supervise, support, coach, and train junior-level staff and volunteers.
• Manage and support foundation events and program activities (i.e., board meetings, educational sessions, receptions, etc.) as required.
• Assist with special projects managed by the Executive Director.
• Contributing to long-term organizational strategies for sustainability and growth in terms of donor engagement and financial stability.
• Volunteer Engagement: Recruiting, training, and managing volunteers specifically for fundraising events.
• Provide coverage and backup for other administrative tasks.

Skills and Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration, or a related field is typically required.
• A minimum of 2-4 years in a fundraising, development, or donor relations role, particularly in a non-profit setting, is required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to craft compelling stories, proposals, and thank-you notes to donors.
• Proven networking abilities, particularly in building and nurturing relationships within the community, which are essential for successful nonprofit fundraising efforts.
• Experience with researching, writing, and managing grant proposals to secure funding from foundations, government, and other sources.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities efficiently.
• Understanding the legal and ethical guidelines for fundraising and non-profit operations, including compliance with IRS regulations for tax-exempt organizations.
• Strong organizational skills to manage various aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and administrative duties.
• Familiarity with fundraising software, CRM systems, and donor management platforms (GiveButter) is essential in today’s fundraising landscape.

Professional Development

• Thumbs Up is dedicated to the growth and development of its team members. We prioritize providing access to professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and workshops, to enhance skills and support career advancement within the organization.
• A specific budget is allocated for professional development to cover training costs, conference fees, and travel expenses.
• Employees will have the opportunity to create personalized development plans in collaboration with their supervisors to tailor their growth paths.
• Mentorship programs or coaching opportunities may be available to support staff in their professional journeys.
• Career advancement paths within the organization will be highlighted, with professional development aiding in readiness for future opportunities.
• Performance evaluations will be integrated with professional development goals, allowing for structured feedback and support for progress.

Salary and Compensation

• Salary is negotiated upon experience, FTE, depending on qualifications and experience.
  • Salary range: $55,000 – $72,000

Benefits

• Medical Benefits are covered at 80% for employees
• Paid time off
  • 0-1 year of employment: 80 hours
  • 2-4 years of employment: 96 hours
  • 5-9 years of employment: 120 hours
  • 10-14 years of employment: 160 hours
  • 15+ years of employment: 200 hours
• Holiday pay – 9 paid Holidays
• Sick pay – 6 days
• Bi-weekly paychecks (Direct deposit)

Application Information

We hope to hire for this position by June 30, 2025. Interested candidates should send a resume, references, and a thoughtful cover letter describing your specific qualifications and interest in the position to katie.shatusky@thumbsupformentalhealth.org. Please include at least three professional references or letters of recommendation with your application.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted. This position will be hired upon board approval.

For more information about Thumbs Up, visit www.thumbsupformentalhealth.org. Thumbs Up is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse workplace.