(Team) Building Blocks
- Ability to understand the “sales” team roles and functions, and what it needs to be effective, such as translation skills.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the database and how to keep this information fresh and relevant.
- Knowledge of how to provide different types of research to different staff members.
- Ability to direct portfolio meetings for each staff member in annual gifts, major gifts and planned gifts.
- Experience in grant writing, data management, donor recognition and use of technical information.
- Personality traits that include keeping staff accountable for timely thank-you letters and cultivation/stewardship correspondence.
- Experience in reviewing best-of-class trends and ways to maximize revenue and expense.
- Attention to detail with ability to manage and maximize systems.
- Success in providing reports and information for presentation to prospects, donors, staff and volunteers.
- Positive attitude and meeting priorities in a timely manner.
In summary, a development team leader should understand each staff member’s role and purpose. The leader should know each individual’s needs, desires and long-term career goals; introduce activities to maximize productivity; and promote continuing education and training so the entire staff knows the overall goals and objectives of the team. No silos are allowed.
Duke Haddad, Ed.D., CFRE, is currently associate director of development, director of capital campaigns and director of corporate development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division in Indianapolis. He also serves as president of Duke Haddad and Associates LLC and is a freelance instructor for Nonprofit Web Advisor.
He has been a contributing author to NonProfit PRO since 2008.
He received his doctorate degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis on education administration plus a dissertation on donor characteristics. He received a master’s degree from Marshall University with an emphasis on public administration plus a thesis on annual fund analysis. He secured a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) with an emphasis on marketing/management. He has done post graduate work at the University of Louisville.
Duke has received the Fundraising Executive of the Year Award, from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Indiana Chapter. He also was given the Outstanding West Virginian Award, Kentucky Colonel Award and Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the governors of West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana, respectively, for his many career contributions in the field of philanthropy. He has maintained a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation for three decades.
