RECRUITMENT PROFILE
Now celebrating its 40th year serving Houston, Covenant House Texas is a faith-based organization
committed to giving homeless youth a safe haven, absolute respect, unconditional love, and a path
to lasting independence. In partnership with the community, we are the voice for homeless youth.
Located on 2.7 acres in the Montrose area, Covenant House Texas (CHT) was founded as an affiliate
site to Covenant House International in 1983. Originally established as an overnight shelter, it
has grown to include comprehensive housing programs and support services that foster responsibility
and independence in young people. Covenant House Texas remains the only organization in Houston
that comprehensively and exclusively offers homeless services and a complete continuum of care to
youth ages 18 – 24. In 2019, CHT embarked on a “Building for Life” Campaign to address its need for
new facilities. Over $55 million has been raised towards four phases, and a state-of-the-art new
campus is under construction with expected completion in May of 2025.
During construction, Covenant House Texas moved its temporary housing facilities and direct
services for youth to Beulah Street in the Third Ward to continue meeting their needs without
disruption in services. Administrative offices remain at 1110 Lovett adjacent to the new campus
that is currently under construction.
POSITION: Director of Development (FT)
REPORTS TO: Chief Development Officer
PROVIDES SUPERVISION TO: Assistant Director of Volunteers, Development Manager
We are seeking an experienced development professional with a demonstrated track record of fund
development management and fundraising success, who will lead a team with the overall goal of
raising philanthropic resources for Covenant House Texas. This rewarding role has oversight and
responsibility of all facets of giving, including major gifts, non-governmental grants,
foundations, individuals, volunteers, and corporate support.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the day-to-day fundraising activities to generate revenue for Covenant House
Texas.
- Develop and manage fundraising efforts through major and planned giving programs, annual giving,
in-kind donations, corporate sponsorships, foundations, and community relations in addition to
prospect research and donor stewardship.
- Work with the CDO to create and maintain a portfolio of current and prospective donors and
identifies potential increases in giving levels by assessing their giving potential, recommending
target “ask" amounts, and developing strategies for soliciting the gift.
- Work to promote program objectives by meeting with program staff and development staff to
identify potential funding opportunities and create tailored asks for key major individual and
corporate donors based on giving history, preference and information gathered through research and
personal meetings.
- Arrange and/or conduct face-to-face visits, campus tours, solicitations, and other high-level
interactions with major gift donors and prospects. Represent CHT at functions.
- Prepare lists of prospective donor calls for CEO, CDO and board members and Development
Committee members in relation to fundraising in Houston and other key Texas cities.
- Participate in the strategic planning processes and support all key CHT fundraising events and
donor cultivation events.
- Establish and ensure appropriate and meaningful donor recognition methods and manage the
stewardship process for individual donors, including but not limited to acknowledgment letters,
while tracking their donations.
- Consistently communicate with select donors that resources have been used as intended and share
results of donor investments or other relevant information to donors. Continue to communicate
organizational updates, youth stories and other CHT information through a newsletter publication
designed specifically for major donors.
- Oversee staff who maintains donor/prospect management system that includes information relating
to major donors and a system for managing appropriate follow-up activities. Provide monthly reports
to CDO.
- Oversee staff who devote meticulous attention to donor database, donor history and record
keeping so that all prospects/donor interactions will be added into the CHT donor database. Provide
monthly reports to the CDO.
- Coordinate with the Assistant Director for Special Events on a pipeline of sponsorship support
for all annual fundraising events.
- Supervise all volunteerism related efforts, including corporate and individual volunteer
activities in conjunction with the Chief Development Officer, review all back-office development
activities, including recording donations and donor information, ensuring data integrity,
acknowledging donors in a timely manner, researching donors.
- With the Chief Development Officer, support the development of the Annual Report and plan for
sharing with donors and Board of Directors.
Position Requirements:
- Minimum of bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum of seven years of fundraising experience in a highly functional development office; a
minimum of three of these years in demonstrated management role.
- Ability to identify, cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts as well as have a demonstrated
history of achieving ambitious fundraising goals.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and possess understanding of "moves management"
strategies and understanding the tactics required to build and manage a prospect pool.
- Experience in managing a substantial portfolio of five and six-figure prospects. An expert
knowledge of current and evolving trends in philanthropy and major gifts. Preexisting professional
relationships with Houston’s philanthropic community is a plus.
- Ability to take direction, set priorities, balance demands of multiple tasks and meet
deadlines.
- A high degree of initiative, flexibility, teamwork, and diligence.
- Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Flexibility with working hours including some evenings and weekends as needed.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, as well as experienced in accessing and entering database
information and developing reports and pertinent donor information.
- Must have a valid Texas Driver’s License and driving record acceptable to the agency’s insurance
carrier.
Compensation Range: $100,000 - $115,000
Position Location: Onsite at 1110 Lovett Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
