United Methodist Communities (formerly United Methodist Homes of New Jersey) has been serving the residential and healthcare needs of older adults in New Jersey for more than 100 years. Almost 1,400 men and women call one of the ten communities "home".
 
United Methodist Communities offers a range of living options, from residential living apartments and convenient assisted living residences to short-term rehabilitation services, skilled nursing care and memory support residences throughout New Jersey. Additionally, an Aging in Place program encourages independence. United Methodist Communities prides itself on fostering a culture of fellowship and serving residents with dignity and respect. Today, United Methodist Communities cares for almost 1,400 residents, over 975 employees and 105 years of Excellence in Senior Living.
 
The mission of the United Methodist Communities (UMC) Foundation is to support and enhance the mission, philosophy and ministry of the United Methodist Communities. Governed by a Board of Trustees, the Foundation raises funds, manages assets, and disburses grants, loans, seed money and Fellowship Fund donations to United Methodist Communities. Over the past five years, the Foundation’s annual philanthropic revenue has ranged between $1.5 – $4.3 million, based on timing of bequests that realized in those periods. The Foundation’s offices are located with the UMC offices in Neptune, New Jersey, about an hour south of Newark.
 
United Methodist Communities and the United Methodist Communities Foundation maintain a strong relationship with the churches of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference (GNJAC) of the United Methodist Church, as well as other faith traditions. These churches and other donors support the Fellowship Fund, currently the annual giving focus of the UMC Foundation. As a result of a recent Development Audit, the plan is to expand the focus of Annual Giving to serve a broader purpose, including capital, special projects, and some of the ongoing elements of the Fellowship Fund. During the current fiscal year, the Foundation is providing $1.3 million of support towards the $4 million of charitable care provided by the United Methodist Communities of NJ. Projections in the coming years extend that need to approximately $5 – $5.5 million a year.
 
In addition to the Fellowship Fund, the UMC Foundation raises funds for capital needs, an endowment fund, and other philanthropic priorities through major gift efforts, planned giving, special events, and a communication program. The Foundation facilitates the fundraising activities of auxiliaries at each community, provides programs for churches and community groups, and promotes volunteerism in the communities.
 
The Opportunity: Director of Philanthropy
 
The Director of Philanthropy supports the philanthropic growth of the UMC Foundation and the United Methodist Communities. This Director role provides oversight to fundraising and actively participates with major donor prospects to garner support for UMC. S/he will manage a portfolio of 25-35 top donor prospects and provide leadership and guidance, in conjunction with the CEO, to the Foundation and UMC Boards, as well as lead and oversee the work of others on the Foundation team.
 
Reporting directly to the CEO of UMC, the Director will initially manage a team of three (3): the Major Gifts Officer; the Annual Giving Officer; and the Philanthropy Assistant, who is responsible for database management and administrative support of the department. There is an organizational commitment to expand the Foundation staff as needed in the future, as dictated by pipeline and donor growth.
 

Performance Objectives
 
Visionary Leadership

• Propels the vision and Case for Support for UMC fundraising and establishes a strategic direction and goals to ensure the successful implementation of that vision, in partnership with the President and CEO.
• Plays an integral role with the Foundation Board of Directors and as a member of the UMC Leadership Team (a.k.a. Steering Group) in continually advancing the role and importance of philanthropy within the organizational culture.
• Develops individual and team performance goals, monitors goals regularly, and communicates individual and team performance assessments in order to successfully implement the UMC Foundation’s annual fundraising plan.
• Works with staff, volunteers, and members of the Leadership Team to implement fundraising plans by providing monthly, quarterly and annual evaluations, making adjustments when necessary to ensure success and utilizing industry and historical benchmarks related to Return-On-Investment (ROI) to establish Foundation benchmarks.   
• Develops and maintains productive and respectful relationships with members of the Leadership Team, the UMC Board, the Foundation Board, volunteers, donors, prospects, residents and their families, UMC staff, the philanthropic community, and other related constituency groups.
• Serves as an organizational resource by providing appropriate training and support to the Leadership Team, Board members, and others involved in fundraising.
• Serves as interface between UMC and the Foundation, seeking to continually build and grow the organizational culture, sense, and commitment to philanthropy.

 
Fundraising

•  executive leadership and oversight for all aspects of fund development, including staff and volunteer activities and relationships.
• Maintains an active portfolio (identification, cultivation solicitation and stewardship) of 25-35 donor relationships, campus specific and overall system-wide, as an active part of the Foundation team. In addition, supports and partners with the President/CEO and the Board in their philanthropic activities.
• Provides strategic leadership in significantly growing and diversifying the Foundation’s donor base and giving levels in Annual, Major, and Planned Gift functions, all based on fulfilling the goals outlined in the Case for Support.
• Builds and stewards an engaged “giving and getting” Board, providing leadership, training and coaching as required.
• Supervises the database management activities fulfilled by the Philanthropy Assistant as well as oversight of logistics for events, mailings, newsletter asks, grants, etc. provided by this person.
• Provides oversight to a strong, growing program of charitable remainder trusts (CRTs), gift annuity agreements, wills and bequests, including possessing knowledge of charitable tax laws. Prepares documents for gift transactions, engages counsel for advice on such transactions and regulatory compliance, and accepts gifts and pledges as an agent for the Foundation.
• Assures department’s compliance with regulations, statutes, and ethical and professional standards.
• Oversees the growth of the Endowment Fund.

 
Organization Management  

• Develops and submits the Foundation’s Annual Work Plan to the President and Board for endorsement, seeking to align the Foundation’s goals and objectives with the UMC’s Strategic Plan.
• In partnership with the President, the Steering Group, and key Board members, determines overall annual Foundation performance goals for the annual fund, capital, endowment and special project campaigns, and with the Foundation team develops appropriate plans, budgets, and fundraising vehicles to meet those goals.
• Provides management and oversight in the development of all necessary and appropriate processes and information systems to manage a comprehensive and growing fundraising and communications program.
• As a key member of the UMC Leadership Team, ensures optimal fundraising policies and procedures and institutional philosophies.
• Monitors and reports regularly to the CEO, collaborates effectively with the UMC Leadership Team, the UMC Board and the Foundation Board on the performance of the Fellowship Fund, capital campaigns and the development of the Endowment Fund.

 
External Relations

• Serves as an articulate, passionate and visible spokesperson for UMC, and the face of philanthropy throughout the community.
• Collaborates effectively with UMC’s communications and marketing team to ensure that UMC’s mission is being effectively and consistently communicated in all fundraising efforts.
• Creates and implements a plan to identify and build strong relationships with community leaders and volunteers, and engage organizations with which UMC should partner.
• Works closely with the Corporate Director of Mission & Pastoral Care to support his efforts to develop relationships with United Methodist Church New Jersey Conference and local Methodist clergy and other churches, church welfare and health ministries, auxiliaries, and clergy as it relates to the UMC Case for Support and fundraising efforts.
• Maintains presence with each UMC campus and ensures that each has the materials needed for passive solicitation (materials, posters, news articles, etc.) of residents and families.

 
The Qualified Candidate
 
United Methodist Communities seeks an innovative and entrepreneurial individual with at least 7 years of progressive experience in diverse development programs and at least 3 years’ experience in a leadership role. Ideally, s/he will have managed fundraising efforts spanning multiple geographic sites, with significant leadership experience in fostering an organization-wide culture of philanthropy. S/he will be a goal-oriented, natural leader who is passionate and committed to the full mission and vision of United Methodist Communities in order to bring the organization to the next level of development, matching the status and diversity of United Methodist Home’s services and offerings at each of the 10 locations.
 
Specific Requirements Include:

• A strategic orientation to building and growing a philanthropic and marketing program, with demonstrated ability to develop and implement creative fund development and communications plans.
• Leadership experience in building teams and fostering a culture of collaboration and cooperation.
• Significant experience in securing funding from individuals, corporations and foundations.
• Demonstrated ability to set and achieve or exceed goals.
• Career track record that shows stability with an organization and capacity to develop and nurture relationships culminating in major gift success.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to serve as a key spokesperson for the United Methodist Communities and the United Methodist Communities Foundation. Past experience with faith-centered giving and/or senior living is preferred.
• Knowledge of and expertise in various major and planned gift instruments, and a proven track record of successful marketing of such instruments.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with board members and other volunteers, as well as civic and business leaders, in a collaborative manner.
• Proven ability to develop a highly productive, effective staff team.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, creative problem solver and strong collaborator.
• Bachelor’s degree required, CFRE preferred, with 7 years of progressive fundraising experience.

 
United Methodist Communities offers a competitive salary for this exempt position and a comprehensive benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, life and supplemental insurance coverage, a 403b retirement plan with employer match, tuition reimbursement, and paid time off, including nine holidays.
 
United Methodist Communities is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.
 
To Apply
 
The search is being managed by Laura Weinman, Senior Consultant of Alford Executive Search, a division of KEES. Questions may be addressed to Laura Weinman at lweinman@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
Candidates may apply by clicking the APPLY NOW button below. To assure confidential tracking, no resumes will be accepted via email.  ALL INQUIRIES WILL BE HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE
 
Alford Executive Search, a division of Kistner Eddy Executive Services (KEES), is a retained search firm that builds transformative teams and leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. For more information, please visit https://www.alfordexecutivesearch.com.