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“Our
Development Director just resigned and we are in the middle of a
fundraising campaign. Can you help us find an energetic candidate to
lead our growth plans?”
Throughout the year, we are frequently asked for
suggested candidates to fill critical needs in fund development
leadership at Christian formatted radio stations or networks across
the country. Well, if that is your situation, I may not be able to
identify a specific candidate, but here are some ideas
to help you in recruiting.
 Refine
Your Job Description
The major function of
a development director is to handle all of the “back-room”
development tasks of an organization. These duties may include
designing and the one year operational plan, writing appeal letters;
designing the donor strategies and planning special events. You will
also want someone who can organize the time commitment of your
leadership team to meet with top donors and prospects.
Staff change always provides a good opportunity to
tighten up your job description so results can be measured against
objectives and outcomes are specific and time-based. You may want to
inquire about the recruiting/human resource development services
from members of a trade organization such as the Christian
Leadership Alliance (CLA-
www.christianleadershipalliance.org) for help.
Identify Prospect Pools
The internet offers a plethora of online job boards.
Other sources to solicit assistance include similar non-profits in
your region, medial colleagues, national professional associations
(Association of Fundraising Professionals
www.afpnet.org), CLA, etc.) and
look for volunteers who have demonstrated competence and interest.
You may want to be sensitive in looking for a talented member of the
millennial generation (http://www.nptimes.com/08Sep/news-080902-1.html)
to stimulate new ideas for seeking donors.
Identify the MIQ (Most Important Qualities) for This Role
In our experience with Christian media and parachurch
organizations, successful directors of development possess these
qualities:
1)
Intense focus on (financial and spiritual) outcomes
2)
Self-motivation
3)
Spiritual sensitivity
4)
Persistence
5)
Well-organized
6)
Team player
7)
Excellent communicator
8)
Prayerful
You may want to adjust your interview questions to
explore these attributes in candidates. Here are some questions to
consider using in the interview process:
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What motivates you
to focus your talents in the fundraising aspect of an
organization?
-
How have you
demonstrated that you are a team player in the past? In your
opinion, what ways do effective teams work together?
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Why do you feel
this organization is the best fit for you?
-
What top three
skills do you think are most transferrable to the job, and why?
Send me an e-mail if you would like
additional interview questions to use when seeking a new director of
development.
E-mail Mark Kordic at
mark.k[email protected]
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With 24 years of experience in corporate and non-profit leadership
positions and almost a generation of experience in listener
supported Christian radio, Mark Kordic helps radio stations across
the country grow income from major donors and pledges.
Before joining Advocace, Mark was the Director of Media Advancement
for CDR Radio Network-The PATH®, the media division of Cedarville
University in Cedarville, OH. At The PATH® he successfully
served in a number of marketing and executive positions, helping
fund network expansion. Kordic also previously served as assistant
pastor at Shawnee Hills Baptist Church in Jamestown, OH.
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