Manager, Mission Advancement
Best Buddies International

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.

Job Title: Manager, Mission Advancement

Department: State Operations and Programs

Reports to: State Director or Area Director

Location: Springfield, IL

# of direct reports: up to one

Salary Range: $48,000-$52,000

Revised date: 8/5/2024

Position Overview: The Manager, Mission Advancement is responsible forengaging, training, and supporting volunteers in Best Buddies school and community programs, and implementing a comprehensive strategy for securing sustainable local funding through development of state events and foundation and/or grant opportunities.

Job Requirements - Qualified applicants must have:

• Bachelor's degree or at least four years relevant experience
• 2-4 years of fundraising experience, including special events planning and donor cultivation

• Have experience managing and motivating volunteers
• Must be adaptable and able to quickly and effectively develop and balance multiple relationships and get results from a variety of people.

• Superior persuasive writing and presentation skills with the ability to exert influence, inspire others, and articulate the mission, goals, and activities of Best Buddies with passion and enthusiasm
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity/comfort with database management systems (i.e. Summa, Salesforce, Raisers Edge)
• Superior project management skills - including planning, analysis, decision-making, and problem-solving - and willingness to multitask
• Superior initiative, drive for results, self-assessment skills, and ability to lead individuals and teams in setting and achieving challenging goals
• Must be comfortable engaging with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
• Must travel, use a personal cell phone, and work evenings and weekends as necessary to accomplish job responsibilities
• Access to an automobile with applicable insurance, or other reliable transportation

Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

Programs

• Determines state/region needs to expand Best Buddies programs in elementary, middle, and high schools, colleges, and at the citizen corporate level and through community buddy pairs
• Supports volunteers and participants through direct and consistent communication using virtual networks, online platforms, and in-person meetings
• Provides mission-focused guidance and support to participants and volunteers to ensure they are working towards overall mission outcomes
• Selects and trains chapter leaders in each program, specifically focused on the certification and ongoing training of school/corporate faculty to serve as chapter advisors
• Provides on-going training to participants, including hosting quarterly in-person trainings for chapter leaders, hosting Leadership Training Days for regional volunteers, and leading Ambassador Trainings for participants with IDD
• Ensures full participation from local chapter advisors and student leaders in the Annual Leadership Conference
• Tracks and evaluates completion of onboarding benchmarks to ensure all new chapters understand programmatic expectations to fully meet all Best Buddies goals, deadlines, and expectations
• Manages Citizens Corporate and Community chapters; identify and onboard Corporate/Community Chapter leads and provide support to identified liaisons
• Responsible for tracking all reporting and chapter updates using online platforms
• Helps to develop a pipeline for growth in the state by making contacts with schools, community groups, corporations, etc. as determined by State/Area Director

Development

• Implements a comprehensive strategy for securing sustainable local funding
• Assumes overall operational management responsibility for all local fundraising activities, including, but not limited to, foundation and corporate giving, individual giving, major gifts, special events, annual giving, and alumni/parent relations
• Identifies, cultivates, and develops volunteers capable of making personal commitments and becoming directly involved in the solicitation process on behalf of Best Buddies - develops and manages the stewardship process of all donors, including processing gifts and thank you letters
• Works with State Director/Area Director to develop and implement major fundraising events to meet revenue goals-must utilize local event committees and follow BBI event committee benchmarks/structure
• Researches grant opportunities and cultivates relationships with local funders; works with Grants Manager to determine appropriate grant targets. Assists with the development of applications and reports and works directly with the funder to build the local relationship

Marketing

• Creates a strong presence for Best Buddies in the local area through public speaking, community involvement, public service announcements, social media, special events, news releases, and other media initiatives
• Develops relationships with local graphic artists, public relations professionals, and advertising agencies to support local need
• Contributes to the organization of content and images for updates on state website and utilizes the Summa database appropriately to communicate with participants and the community
• Contributes to the creation and distribution of local newsletters/annual reports and Summa e-newsletters

Operations

• Maintains communication with the State Director/Area Director with timely reports and other information as directed
• Oversees timely and accurate processing of all revenue and invoices and maintains accurate records of all donations and excellent donor information through Raisers Edge

Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International's core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.

Best Buddies offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program that include financial security, health and wellness and time off.

#CB

---