Director of Development (beginning August 1, 2024)

at  The Helix School

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- & Long-term Disability, 401K (no matching), Paid Vacation
Website: www.thehelixschool.org
Are you ready to join a team dedicated to making a profound impact on the lives of children living with autism
in the Bay Area? At The Helix School, we’re on a mission to transform young lives while advancing the state of
the art in neurodiversity whole child development. Our method is the difference. We create a fabric of
services that tightly integrates therapy and academics. If this sounds like something you are ready to be a
part of, read on.

SUMMARY:

As the Development Director, you will be critical in advancing Helix’s mission by designing, implementing, and
managing comprehensive fundraising strategies. We are looking for someone who someone who can
effectively raise funds, engage various donor communities, and ideate on new ways to grow support. The
ideal candidate will have 5-7 years of proven experience in nonprofit fundraising, a deep understanding of
donor cultivation and stewardship, and a track record of successfully securing significant financial support.
You will work closely with the Executive Director to develop and execute fundraising initiatives that align with
Helix’s objectives. This position is part of the Leadership Team.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

 5-7 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, including
demonstrable results in major gift solicitation.
 Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices, donor cultivation, and stewardship.
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including grant writing and proposal development.
Writing samples upon request.
 Proficiency in donor management software and Microsoft Office Suite.
 Commitment to the mission and values of The Helix School.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

 High level of attention to detail.
 Strong analytical abilities.
 High degree of integrity and confidentiality.
 Entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to do whatever it takes.
 Team player who believes that working hard and having fun go hand-in-hand.
 Unrelenting desire to learn and improve your practice.
 Strong skills in a Mac environment and with Google-based applications, including Gmail, Google Drive,
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
 Complete Livescan and TB clearance

OUR PURPOSE:

How do you change the trajectory of a child? At Helix, we’re not here to simply educate; we’re here to unlock
and nurture a child’s boundless potential. Our vision and mission are built upon the foundation of providing a
transformative education experience. We craft a tailored, evidence-based, and integrated curriculum that
caters to each child’s developmental stage, sensory processing differences, and emotional-regulatory needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Fundraising Strategy: Develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan that includes individual giving,
major gifts, corporate partnerships, grants, events, and focusing on sustainable revenue growth.
 Donor Cultivation: Identify, cultivate, and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors,
including individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
 Grant Writing and Management: Oversee the grant-seeking process, including researching funding
opportunities, writing grant proposals, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements.
 Major Gifts: Create and manage a major gifts initiative, including identifying and cultivating major
donors, developing customized solicitation strategies, and securing major gifts.
 Board Engagement: Collaborate with the Board of Directors to engage them in fundraising efforts,
providing support and guidance to board members in their roles as ambassadors and fundraisers.
 Fundraising Events: Plan and execute fundraising events, including galas, donor receptions, and
community outreach events, to raise awareness and financial support for the organization.
 Marketing and Communications: Work closely with the Social Media Consultant and Marketing
Consultant to develop fundraising materials, donor communications, and marketing strategies that
align with fundraising goals.
 Budget Management: Develop and manage the annual fundraising budget, ensuring efficient
allocation of resources and tracking of expenses.
 Data Management: Oversee the maintenance and accuracy of donor databases and fundraising
software to track donor interactions and contributions.
 Reporting and Analysis: Provide regular reports and analysis on fundraising activities, donor
engagement, and revenue projections to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
 Other duties as assigned; some travel, as well as evening and weekend work required.