Director of Philanthropy

WHAT WE DO

Our Mission: to build self-reliance among youth, adults, and families through high-quality, community-based services.

Our Vision: to foster both long-lasting personal growth and systemic change to improve the adverse social conditions impacting youth, adults, and families. Lifeline seeks to build resiliency within those we serve, thereby empowering them to reach their highest potential.

Our Core Values:

• Prevention: to provide the earliest intervention to reduce system involvement.
• Quality: to pursue excellence in client intervention and clinical oversight.
• Collaboration: to build mutually beneficial partnerships to increase impact.

For 50 years Lifeline Community Services (Lifeline) has been helping low-income youth and families achieve self-reliance. With more than 165 full-time staff members and 215 dedicated volunteers, we offer over 30+ unique programs across our five focus areas: youth development, child abuse and domestic violence, housing and self-sufficiency, behavioral health, and human trafficking. With a current annual operating budget of $17.5M, we are continuing to grow as an organization and expand our services region-wide. From our original base in Vista, we now operate nine sites across the county including Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista, Escondido, and San Diego. Last year we served 4,304 clients through intensive case management, coaching, and clinical interventions, and 27,259 with educational outreach services and referrals. Our clients are predominately low to extremely low-income from communities across San Diego County. Most of our programs are clinically based, with a focus on integrating services across the organization to break down programmatic silos and apply a true wrap-around approach for the individuals and families we serve.

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

Lifeline is a highly trusted partner, recognized as a backbone organization of the community. We are a key service provider, as well as a convener and collaborator. Our work is guided by an engaged and committed board of recognized community leaders from across the region. We are extremely proud of our reputation for fostering a supportive team culture and being an outstanding place to work and grow. Staff members shared some thoughts on the organization’s leadership and culture at a recent focus group:

• “Everyone jumps in to help each other out.”
• “Our leadership is highly visible and accessible.”
• “Staff are empowered and trusted to use their autonomy as professionals.”
• “Communication is great at all levels. Team members actively collaborate within and across programs.”

We feel this inclusive and supportive culture is the foundation of our success, with some of our team members celebrating 10, 15, and even 25 years of service at Lifeline.

This is an exciting time in our organization’s history as we recently celebrated our 50th anniversary and welcomed our new CEO, Lisette Islas, an extremely experienced and accomplished nonprofit leader. Prior to joining Lifeline, Lisette served as Executive Vice President for MAAC, another powerhouse human services agency. During her time at MAAC, Lisette helped grow the organization from $36M to $70M in operating revenue, and invested heavily in people and culture, ultimately expanding the team from 325 to 590 members across 40 sites. Since joining Lifeline, Lisette has initiated major investments in the organization’s capacity and capabilities, creating several new leadership positions, including the new Director of Philanthropy & Communications.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary – $120,000 to $140,000.
• Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture, and life insurance.
• Matched 403b retirement plan.
• PTO: 0-2 years: Vacation 15 paid days off, 6 sick days paid days off, 15 paid holidays.
• Employee assistance program.
• Training and education assistance.
• Flexible spending account.
• Menu of optional benefits, including short-term disability, critical illness, accident, hospitalization, pet insurance, and cancer policy.

LOCATION

This is a hybrid role with an office at Lifeline Community Services, located at 3890 Murphy Canyon Road Suite 250 San Diego, CA92123.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Philanthropy & Communications role was recently added to our team so that we may continue building upon and implementing Lifeline’s fundraising strategy. This new Director will provide strategic direction for many aspects of the fundraising and marketing programs at Lifeline, including individual giving, grants, special events, and external marketing and communications. They will work closely with the Chief Impact and Philanthropy Officer to achieve our annual fundraising goal ($2.5 million in FY25), as well as developing and executing a long-term fundraising growth plan to exceed $3 million in the next two years. Overseeing two direct reports (Communications and Events Manager, Impact and Philanthropy Grants Manager), this highly collaborative role will grow new and existing funding streams to expand and diversify the organization’s revenue base. Reporting to the Chief Impact and Philanthropy Officer, this role is a member of Lifeline’s Senior Leadership Team and will interact with the CEO, Board of Directors, and staff to create and implement innovative and efficient development strategies. This is a critical role that will help build on our incredible 50-year legacy of service

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, develop, and execute fundraising strategies, including individual giving, corporate giving, special events, foundation, nonprofit, and government grants.
• Build and maintain portfolio of new revenue streams, including corporate and individual donors.
• In conjunction with the leadership team, establish and implement a 3-year fundraising strategy for operational, infrastructure, and capital needs.
• Oversee execution of marketing and publication efforts for all major events, including annual fundraiser.
• Oversee the external marketing and communications efforts including direct mail, digital content, and social media platforms.
• Work to implement internal communications strategies.
• Coach, mentor, develop and manage 2 direct reports.
• Provide and present reports at the regularly scheduled board meetings. In conjunction with the CIPO, provide direction and support to the fundraising team.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

• The successful candidate should have a passion for serving and uplifting communities in need.
• Must be highly skilled in the areas of marketing, communications, media relations, publications, and branding.
• Demonstrated experience guiding an organization through development and implementation of marketing and branding plans.
• Deep knowledge of current marketing trends and digital strategies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated fundraising experience including donor prospecting, stewardship, annual giving, and major gift solicitation.
• The ability to work well with a team, as well as independently.

REQUIREMENTS

• Pursuant to Lifeline’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols, individuals must be fully vaccinated, subject to legally required exemptions.
• Background check and compliance with pre-employment screening, including drug tests.
• Flexibility to work outside of traditional business hours as needed to meet organizational priorities.