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THE ORGANIZATION:

For over 75 years, Momentum, formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties, has been providing resources and services for children and adults to maximize their independence with access and inclusion in the community. Today, the organization is branded as Momentum to better reflect the innovative services it provides to people with a spectrum of diagnoses. Momentum remains true to its mission of advancing the independence, productivity and full citizenship of children and adults with disabilities and medical conditions.

Momentum is always striving to find the next innovation and advocacy for advancing inclusion and access. Over the years it has expanded to support even more children, adults, and their families with an array of resources and support that meet their individual needs and interests. By adding WORK, Inc. as a subsidiary in 2001, services expanded into Santa Barbara and Santa Maria Counties. In 2007 it added a second subsidiary, Wheels for Humanity, stretching its impact to more than 70 countries worldwide. And in 2021, Pediatric Therapy Network merged into Momentum providing services to help children with disabilities and medical conditions by providing therapies that increase each child’s ability to live a more fulfilling and independent life. Momentum now supports individuals of all abilities, including those with an autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, developmental delays, orthopedic and neurological challenges, and sports-related injuries.

In addition to raising $2 million annually, Momentum has launched a $20 million Momentum Grows comprehensive capital campaign to share a vision of a more inclusive world where all people can live their life the way they choose. The three-year (2023-2026) campaign will allow Momentum the flexibility to expand their diverse continuum of pediatric and adult programs, align with universities and research institutions to create new service delivery models, and strengthen the organizations capacity to develop and retain exceptional professionals including therapists, nurses, and other dedicated staff.

Momentum is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit with a $40 million operating budget and its own governing Board of Directors. Momentum is one of the largest non-profit providers of direct-care services in Southern California, with over 30 program and services sites across five counties in Southern California, and a pediatric clinic in DeKalb, Illinois, providing an array of individualized resources so 6,500 children, adults and their families have access to greater inclusion and resources in their communities. To learn more about Momentum, please visit https://momentum4all.org/.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Chief Development Officer will play a critical role in developing and implementing strategic fundraising efforts that assures revenue is generated in a cost-effective manner while maintaining a positive public image and reputation. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Development Officer participates in executive leadership activities to shape and lead the culture towards accountability and innovation. Raising about $2 million annually, fundraising activities include major gifts, corporate donations, annual giving, capital campaigns, individual gifts, institutional giving, planned giving, special events, and in-kind resources. The Chief Development Officer, through the President and CEO, will assist the Board of Directors, the Investment Committee, Emeritus Committee, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, and the Public Policy and Government Relations department in developing donor strategies. Supervising a team of five, the Chief Development Officer will oversee development, communications, community outreach, donor relations, grants, planned giving, database management, and engagement.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising and Donor Relations

• At the direction of the President & CEO, implement a long term and annual fund development plan.
• Lead efforts to increase revenues by 25 percent annually through individuals, corporations, foundations, and state and federal contracts.
• Oversee a portfolio of major gift fundraising, providing expertise in soliciting and cultivating donors at the five- and six-figure giving levels with the highest degree of professionalism and sophistication.
• Ensure that donor segmentation models are in place and used to inform fundraising; ensure that resource development time and effort is allocated toward those segments most critical to achieving the results of building a well-balanced donor portfolio and roadmap that drives giving and donation growth.
• Develop annual restricted and unrestricted goals and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the fund development program each year.
• Ensure relationship-based development practices for an exceptional donor experience.
• Identify and implement new (non-traditional) revenue streams and fundraising methods, with focus on increasing sustainable unrestricted, private revenue.
• Use data development and planning of existing donors and the acquisition of new donors.
• Oversee grant development from sourcing to receiving.
• Oversee the Capital Campaign development, implementation, and closure.

Board Relations

• Collaborate with the President & CEO to ensure Board members are engaged and energized by their association with Momentum and provide information, through the President & CEO, as needed to Board members on donor cultivation and fundraising techniques.
• Attend Board meetings and Board committee meetings and report on development activities in coordination with the President & CEO.
• Cultivate and solicit the Board for major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Leadership and Management

• Work closely with the Executive Team and Board Development Committee to lead the creation and implementation of a development strategy.
• Direct, through subordinate staff and consultants, planned giving, development, marketing, social media, community engagement, public relations, communications, grants, volunteers, interns, donor relations, venue management, events, and capital campaign.
• Strengthen and build an agile and results-oriented Office of the Chief Development Officer workforce.
• Promote cross functional collaboration as a component of operationalizing the strategic plan and annual goals.
• Partner with the finance department to sustain efficient, effective, and transparent financial tracking and reporting processes.
• Coordinate with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer to manage all budget, contracting, fiscal, information technology, and personnel matters.
• Plan and evaluate financial needs and fundraising plans for the organization’s future.
• Lead the team to success in taking its innovations to market in a timely and scalable way.

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS DESIRED:

The Chief Development Officer should be a dynamic, creative, and entrepreneurial professional with a successful record of fundraising, including planning and executing a development program. The Chief Development Officer will be an innovative, forward-thinking development professional with exceptional interpersonal skills and a high degree of professionalism and integrity. The successful candidate will be a compelling and strategic leader with the ability to move a team forward by inspiring and motivating people with creativity and energy. The Chief Development Officer should not only possess excellent verbal and written communication skills but should also be able to create a collaborative environment that is conducive to open and direct communication with stakeholders and its work. The candidate should be a resourceful, results-oriented leader with the ability to think strategically, generate new ideas, prioritize, plan, multitask, and set goals and objectives, as well as implement and follow-through while meeting financial goals and deadlines. The Chief Development Officer will be both a skilled manager and an individual contributor who works and thinks independently yet can also build on group dynamics and set high expectations with the Development team. The ideal candidate will be an effective delegator who can empower staff, set agendas, lead meetings, document activities and measure progress. A commitment to providing human services and the ability to passionately communicate Momentum’s mission, accomplishments, and the socio/economic benefits of its work are essential. The Chief Development Officer will treat people with respect, keep commitments, inspire trust in others, work with integrity and ethically, and uphold organizational values.

CAREER TRACK LEADING TO THIS POSITION:

The Chief Development Officer will be a seasoned and mature leader with at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising. An exceptional record of personal achievement in cultivating donors and raising major gifts as well as documented success in creating and managing a comprehensive development program is important. Previous experience working on a capital campaign, soliciting major gifts, and working with Board members would be ideal. A background in child welfare, healthcare, managed care, or mental health would be a plus.

EDUCATION:                                                                                                       

A bachelor’s degree is required. An advanced degree is preferred.

COMPENSATION:

The salary range is $225,000 to $250,000 based on experience. The Chief Development Officer may be eligible for an annual bonus. Mileage and travel expenses for donor meetings will be reimbursed. A comprehensive benefits package will be provided. Relocation assistance, if needed, is negotiable.

Momentum is an equal opportunity employer and is required to comply with equal opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction in which it operates. Momentum also considers qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment pursuant to California Law and, if applicable, the L.A. Fair Chance Ordinance.