New Board Positions
Gem City Kitties is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Dayton, Ohio working on creating a more compassionate community for cats (and the humans who love them). Our programs focus on community education, keeping pets in their home through veterinary care and behavioral support, and providing care for homeless cats at Gem City Catfe until they find a new family.
We are carefully planning a gradual transition from a working board to a governance board. To support this transition, we are creating additional director positions which go beyond the basic President, VP, Secretary, and Treasurer roles. Directors will be responsible for a specific area that has a limited scope, to allow them to work fairly independently and focus their efforts. Director positions are intended to require between 5-10 hours/month to allow volunteer support in a sustainable manner.
Director roles will report to the Gem City Kitties Executive Director for operational questions. Directors may join either the Gem City Kitties Board of Directors as a voting member or join the Advisory Council as non-voting members. Directors are requested to attend the quarterly board meetings regardless of their voting status to give updates on their programs, share resources, and provide feedback.
All positions are open until filled. To apply, use the link below. For questions, use our contact form here.
We are carefully planning a gradual transition from a working board to a governance board. To support this transition, we are creating additional director positions which go beyond the basic President, VP, Secretary, and Treasurer roles. Directors will be responsible for a specific area that has a limited scope, to allow them to work fairly independently and focus their efforts. Director positions are intended to require between 5-10 hours/month to allow volunteer support in a sustainable manner.
Director roles will report to the Gem City Kitties Executive Director for operational questions. Directors may join either the Gem City Kitties Board of Directors as a voting member or join the Advisory Council as non-voting members. Directors are requested to attend the quarterly board meetings regardless of their voting status to give updates on their programs, share resources, and provide feedback.
All positions are open until filled. To apply, use the link below. For questions, use our contact form here.
Grant Funding director
Position Description: The Grant Funding Director is a volunteer role within Gem City Kitties through either a voting position on the Board of Directors or a non-voting position through the Advisory Council (based on the candidate's preference). The Grant Funding Director is responsible for researching, preparing, submitting, and managing grant proposals/reports that support agency goals and meet funder guidelines and criteria. This person serves as the primary grant writer during their two-year term. The Grant Funding Director will work closely with the Gem City Kitties staff members, along with either the Board of Directors or Advisory Council.
This position requires strong writing, data analysis, program budgeting, project management skills, with an emphasis on outcome measurement.
Goals: Submit six grant applications per calendar year.
Key Responsibilities:
Desired skills and experience:
This position requires strong writing, data analysis, program budgeting, project management skills, with an emphasis on outcome measurement.
Goals: Submit six grant applications per calendar year.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead grant proposal development and submission—preparing and organizing materials for proposals, and submitting and monitoring grant applications, including:
- Researching new funding and development opportunities on a local, state, and federal level.
- Drafting proposals/LOIs, grant application narratives, and budgets and collaborate to finalize with program staff, finance, and the Executive Director;
- Submitting grant applications via paper or online portals, and maintain list of passwords;
- Maintaining master calendar of grants and prospects and all associated files and correspondence;
- Maintaining library of grant support documents
- Executing thank you letters and facilitate grant contracts/agreements;
- Ensuring acknowledgment of funders/investors via website, e-newsletter, and social media; and
- Maintain grant compliance and reporting, including outcome measurement and grant budgets, including:
- Monitoring and maintaining funder and investor reporting schedules and requirements;
- Tracking progress toward organizational and programmatic outcomes and goals;
- Drafting compelling progress reports and sharing content for program updates (e.g. blog posts, press releases, FB and twitter posts)
- Assembling all necessary supporting materials and documents including budget reports, outcome measurements, success stories, etc.; submit reports to funders and investors.
- Attend quarterly board meetings to share updates, information, and resources with the Board of Directors
Desired skills and experience:
- Previous work experience with nonprofit administration, grant writing, or fundraising;
- Has written successful grant applications and completed the compliance and reporting phase
- Demonstrated analytical and persuasive writing skills experience as well as superior editing skills, including ability to convey complex information in a clear manner to a diverse audience;
- Strong administrative skills and self-motivated with the ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks under minimal supervision in effective and efficient manner;
- Intermediate to expert skills in Microsoft Office (specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
- Experience with donor development/CRM software systems a plus;
- Demonstrated interest in the mission, vision and values of Gem City Kitties
Director of Business and Corporate Sponsorship
Position Description: The Manager of Business and Corporate Sponsorship is a volunteer role within Gem City Kitties through either a voting position on the Board of Directors or a non-voting position through the Advisory Council (based on the candidate's preference).
The Manager of Business and Corporate Sponsorship will be responsible for developing and obtaining corporate and other business sponsorship for Gem City Kitties’ programs to increase revenues by building a strong portfolio of sponsors interested in reaching and appealing to our audiences. Because of the importance of the organization’s integrity, image and public-policy positions, the Manager of Business and Corporate Sponsorship must work within Gem City Kitties’ culture and policies with respect to the types of opportunities that can be offered and the types of sponsors that can be accepted.
The Manager of Business and Corporate Sponsorship will work closely with the Gem City Kitties staff members, along with either the Board of Directors or Advisory Council.
Goal: Secure $15,000 annually in Manager of Business and Corporate Sponsorships.
Key Responsibilities: Informed by a solid understanding and appreciation of Gem City Kitties’ mission and values, the Manager of Business and Corporate Sponsorship will:
Desired Skills and Experience:
The Manager of Business and Corporate Sponsorship will be responsible for developing and obtaining corporate and other business sponsorship for Gem City Kitties’ programs to increase revenues by building a strong portfolio of sponsors interested in reaching and appealing to our audiences. Because of the importance of the organization’s integrity, image and public-policy positions, the Manager of Business and Corporate Sponsorship must work within Gem City Kitties’ culture and policies with respect to the types of opportunities that can be offered and the types of sponsors that can be accepted.
The Manager of Business and Corporate Sponsorship will work closely with the Gem City Kitties staff members, along with either the Board of Directors or Advisory Council.
Goal: Secure $15,000 annually in Manager of Business and Corporate Sponsorships.
Key Responsibilities: Informed by a solid understanding and appreciation of Gem City Kitties’ mission and values, the Manager of Business and Corporate Sponsorship will:
- In collaboration with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director, and Program Manager, develop and implement sponsorship strategy and goals.
- Lead the assessment, valuation and packaging of potential sponsorship assets.
- Identify categories of likely sponsors and lists of specific prospects within those categories.
- Determine the most effective and efficient ways to reach the prospects and to make potential prospects aware of sponsorship opportunities.
- Develop and cultivate a pipeline of prospects, managing the process from developing presentations and decks to initial and follow-up meetings to creating proposals to negotiating and closing agreements.
- Coordinating with other departments, ensure that sponsors are provided with the packages of benefits they are promised.
- Maintain continuing rapport and relationships with prospects and sponsors, keeping them aware of new opportunities and obtaining feedback.
- Review corporate sponsorship trends and identify opportunities to incorporate these trends where appropriate.
- Attend quarterly board meetings to share updates, information, and resources with the Board of Directors
Desired Skills and Experience:
- Previous relevant experience in business/corporate sponsorship
- Outstanding sales skills
- Strong negotiation and clear communication skills, both written and verbal
- Creativity and flexible thinking
- Ability to thrive and work effectively both individually and as part of a small team
- Self-motivation – ability to take on and accomplish projects, sometimes with minimal supervision
- Excellent computer skills, specifically with search engines, spread-sheet software, project software and presentation software (including MS Office products, such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Attention to detail and accuracy and follow-up, the skills to prioritize and organize multiple projects, meet deadlines, keep records, problem-solve and multi-task
Donor Relations Director
Position Description: The Donor Relations Director is a volunteer role within Gem City Kitties through either a voting position on the Board of Directors or a non-voting position through the Advisory Council (based on the candidate's preference).
The Donor Relations Director is responsible for implementing the donor relations strategy in conjunction with the Executive Director, Program Manager, and other board members. The Donor Relations Director supports Gem City Kitties’ efforts to broaden our individual donor base, providing major gift, sustainer and planned giving donor pipelines, along with supporting direct response activities generating a growing revenue stream for the organization. The Donor Relations Director also provides administrative support to ensure effective data management and reporting and donor stewardship efforts (acknowledgements, meeting requests, printed materials).
Financial Goal: Secure $80,000 in funding from individual donors.
Key Responsibilities:
Desired Skills and Experience:
The Donor Relations Director is responsible for implementing the donor relations strategy in conjunction with the Executive Director, Program Manager, and other board members. The Donor Relations Director supports Gem City Kitties’ efforts to broaden our individual donor base, providing major gift, sustainer and planned giving donor pipelines, along with supporting direct response activities generating a growing revenue stream for the organization. The Donor Relations Director also provides administrative support to ensure effective data management and reporting and donor stewardship efforts (acknowledgements, meeting requests, printed materials).
Financial Goal: Secure $80,000 in funding from individual donors.
Key Responsibilities:
- Implement and assess an overall donor relations strategy that supports the short- and long-term fundraising goals in conjunction with the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
- Manage information-tracking processes regarding acknowledgement, recognition, ongoing communications and continued cultivation of past and current donors to enhance their relationship with Gem City Kitties and increase the likelihood of continued contributions.
- Promote planned giving program through appropriate marketing channels.
- Respond to a variety of inquiries regarding interest in supporting the organization and provide annual fundraising support to the organization, such as donor-driven campaigns and events.
- Assist with individual giving appeals in collaboration with Gem City Kitties team. Strengthen giving circles that generate annual support through stewardship. Manage strategy and appropriate implementation of external campaigns such as Giving Tuesday.
- Enter donor gift data in Little Green Light.
- Assist with proposals and reports for major donors.
- Maintain physical and electronic donor communication materials and inventory of general development team supplies.
- Manage strategy and appropriate use of social media for individual giving appeals. Coordinate with artists and graphic designers to develop art for holiday messages, give days, and other electronic messaging.
- Complete accurate contact reports within Little Green Light when interactions occur.
- Answer general development email inquiries.
Desired Skills and Experience:
- Previous proven fundraising experience
- Ability to understand the needs and interests of current and potential donors to develop relationships between them and Gem City Kitties.
- Proficient in Google programs, including but not limited to Docs, Sheets, and Drive.
- Knowledge of, or willingness, ability, and commitment to become proficient in Little Green Light donor data base.
- Excellence record keeping skills, including following standardized procedures for record keeping within our department.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills required.
- Problem-solving, research, and analytical skills.
- Solid relationship-building skills with ability to interface with community leaders, the adjacent non-profit communities, and members of the board.
- Ability to articulate the case for support so that individuals feel invested in our vision, mission, and goals with sufficient effectiveness to secure supporters for Gem City Kitties.
- Time management skills with ability to prioritize tasks, give attention to detail, and successfully follow up on projects and deliver results.
- Personal belief in the mission, goals, and objectives of the institution and passionate about raising funds for its mission.
Gem City Vet - Director of Facilities
Position Description: The Gem City Vet Director of Facilities is a volunteer role within Gem City Kitties through either a voting position on the Board of Directors or a non-voting position through the Advisory Council (based on the candidate's preference).
The Gem City Vet Director of Facilities is responsible for supporting the Gem City Vet management team through tasks outside of day-to-day operations.
Key Responsibilities:
Desired Skills and Experience:
The Gem City Vet Director of Facilities is responsible for supporting the Gem City Vet management team through tasks outside of day-to-day operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist and support Gem City Vet management staff members when issues arise outside of the normal day-to-day operations
- Tour building once per month to monitor facilities.
- Assist the Program Manager and Executive Director in identifying and planning capital improvements, including coordinating with the Grant Funding Director and Donor Relations Director, as needed.
- Solicit and present cost estimates for maintenance, repairs, and/or capital improvements.
- Coordinate cleaning and regular maintenance efforts among volunteers (ideally quarterly).
Desired Skills and Experience:
- Basic mechanical skills and knowledge of plumbing, HVAC and other building systems
- Proficiency with repair tools and techniques
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to speak with all levels of employees, guests, vendors and team members
- Great time management, organization and prioritization abilities
- Keen attention to detail and efficient problem-solving skills
treasurer
Individual Director Responsibilities
Treasurer Responsibilities
- Attend all Board and Committee meetings and functions, such as special events. Board meetings are typically held once per quarter, although special meetings may be called with notice. Four of the six yearly board meetings must be attended.
- Be informed about Gem City Kitties’ mission, programs, policies and programs, and inform others about the organization.
- Review Board meeting agendas and supporting materials prior to Board and Committee meetings.
- Serve on Committees or Task Forces and offer to take on special assignments.
- Make a personal financial contribution to the organization, in an amount that is meaningful to you.
- Suggest possible Board candidates who can make significant contributions (time, financial, etc.) to the work of the Board and the organization.
- Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organizations’ annual financial statements.
Treasurer Responsibilities
- Understand financial accounting for nonprofit organizations
- Serve as Financial Officer of the organization
- Manage the review of and action related to the Board’s financial responsibilities
- Ensure appropriate financial reports are made available to the Board on a timely basis
- Assist the President in preparing the annual budget and presenting the budget to the Board for approval
- Review the annual audit and answers to the Board’s questions about the audit
- Perform other Board-related duties as necessary or as defined in the Bylaws
