Sep 10th, 2024
The SAFE Alliance
About the Organization
The Organization
The SAFE Alliance (“SAFE”) is a merger of Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace, both long-standing and respected human service agencies in Austin serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence.
History
Fifty years ago, women’s advocates in Austin saw a need to support women in the community who had experienced sexual and domestic violence. As a result, the Austin Rape Crisis Center and the Center for Battered Women opened their doors. Both of these agencies were the first of their kind in Texas. Over time, the two of them expanded their services to better address the ever-growing needs of the community and, in 1998, combined forces as SafePlace to help more survivors, their families and the Austin/Travis County community. SafePlace became a unified source of hope for women, children, and men affected by sexual and domestic violence, and became nationally recognized as a leader for its innovative and effective programs.
Meanwhile, in 1984, a group of concerned citizens joined together to address the lack of shelter space for abused and neglected children in Austin and Travis County; thus the Austin-Travis County Shelter for Infants and Children was born. The new shelter was able to house six young children at a time. In 1998, a second shelter home was opened next door to the existing home, enabling the agency to care for 30 children at a time. The name was changed to the Austin Children’s Shelter. In 2009, Austin Children’s Shelter celebrated its 25th anniversary and held a grand opening of the new Rathgeber Village facilities, including five cottages and the capacity to care for up to 78 children. Over the next several years Austin Children’s Shelter was licensed as a child placement agency and began Foster & Adopt in Austin; Strong Start, a child abuse prevention agency, and what started as a small emergency shelter for a few children blossomed into a full-service campus with a wide suite of services.
In 2015, Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace began intensive discussions about how, together, they might better address the complex issues of violence and abuse. As it became evident that sexual assault and exploitation, child abuse and neglect, and domestic and family violence are part of a larger interconnected web, the two agencies’ programs and services began to meld more closely. The sum quickly became greater than its parts and a true merger was undertaken and SAFE came into existence in 2017.
Today
With an annual budget of more than $31 million, approximately 350 employees and thousands of volunteers, SAFE now has prevention and crisis programs operating across two campuses and in the schools, hospitals, courts, County and District Attorney’s offices.
Programs & Services
Last year SAFE supported over 5,000 survivors of violence and abuse. SAFE exists to serve victim/survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, sex trafficking and dating and domestic violence. Over 60% of the people SAFE serves have experience more than one type of violence. In each of the four mission areas, SAFE offers prevention programs, emergency and crisis intervene services, and it supports survivors in their recovery and healing, including with shelter and housing. SAFE is a social service and a social change agency. SAFE’s goal is to educate others to think and act safely and respectfully when confronted with abuse and to join in its efforts to advocate to Keep Austin SAFE. SAFE services are free.
SAFE’s suite of services ebb, grow and evolve as community need and service demand change. SAFE is a learning, constantly evolving agency.
Job Description
Position salary range: $150,000-$170,000
Position reports to: Chief Executive Officer
The Opportunity
The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a critical member of SAFE’s Executive and Senior Leadership Teams. In collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer and others, the CDO will help co-create, articulate and implement the strategic vision of SAFE.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the CEO, the CDO is responsible for all fundraising and development activities. The CDO will help forge new relationships to amplify SAFE’s visibility, impact and financial resources; and will design and implement a comprehensive plan for the development team as they cultivate, solicit and steward philanthropic support from individuals, corporations and foundations. The CDO will manage and mentor a diverse Development Team and identify infrastructure needed to grow revenue. S/he will expand and diversify SAFE’s donor base/pipeline and work closely with other team members to secure funding. She/he/they will work to engage the community in SAFE’s mission. The CDO will work closely with the Board of Directors to engage, support and coach them in their fundraising role. In 2024, SAFE expects to kick off a capital campaign that will be managed by the CDO. This is hybrid position with weekly in-office work.
Experience
•Ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of experience in the nonprofit sector is preferred, including ample experience leading and developing a high-performing, comprehensive, multimillion-dollar fundraising and marketing program.
•Track record of success across all aspects of fundraising operations, including building the case, cultivating donors, managing effective fundraising, marketing, and events teams, and soliciting and securing major and leadership-level gifts.
•Experience building and leading a team to success while fostering a culture of accountability, inclusiveness, teamwork, and collaboration with others.
•Proven ability to work with volunteers, community leaders, organizations, and businesses to advocate for and promote the value and mission of SAFE.
•Experience collaborating with, leading, and managing a Board of Directors comprised of prominent members of the community.
•History of securing grants, including researching prospective foundations, making pitch presentations, attending site visits, and maintaining relationships once grants are funded, especially in collaboration with the teammates and Board of Directors.
•Proven experience in strategic planning, analysis, and vision casting, particularly when devising multi-year revenue generation strategies.
Skills & Knowledge
•Broad and deep knowledge of fundraising principles to be applied in the implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy, incorporating the acquisition of new major gifts and grants, annual appeals, donor cultivation, securing ongoing annual operating funds, and attracting project-based support.
•Skilled at reading people and forging cooperative efforts between and among teammates and other departments of the organization, thereby leading teams to success and fostering a culture of accountability, inclusiveness, teamwork, and collaboration.
•Successful experience in and enthusiasm for donor cultivation and major gift solicitation.
•Strong team-building skills supported by a positive attitude and mature personality conducive to effective interaction with diverse groups.
•Persuasive and articulate communicator with excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills who can represent SAFE to diverse constituencies.
•Highly organized with the ability to independently handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines and fundraising goals.
•Ability to move comfortably in a wide variety of social settings, including among people of substantial influence and wealth, and the ability to forge solid personal relationships.
•Business savvy, including the ability to assess risk, triage priorities, and influence issues by engaging with internal and external constituencies.
•Demonstrated capability and maturity to protect confidential information and build trust and rapport with prospects and donors for a longstanding, meaningful relationship with SAFE.
Travel is limited.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required.
Hybrid position with weekly in-office work in Austin, Texas.Contact email for applicants holly@penasearch.com