Background:

The Kansas City Royals, an iconic Major League Baseball (MLB) Team, have a rich history rooted in the heart of America’s Midwest. With two World Series Championships, 1985 and 2015, and four trips in all to the World Series, the Kansas City Royals have become a cornerstone of Kansas City’s sports culture since being founded by Ewing Kauffman as an expansion franchise in 1969. Since purchasing it from its second owner, David Glass, in November 2019, the team is now owned by John Sherman and a group of investors with deep Kansas City roots focused on winning, their associates, and innovating the ways in which to communicate, interact, and inspire fans.

Celebrated not only for their on-field achievement but also for their deep commitment to the local community, the Kansas City Royals stand as a shining model of excellence in sports team philanthropy, inspiring others with their dedication and impact. Mr. Kauffman's steadfast belief in the Kansas City Royals' role as a crucial community asset sets them apart from other teams and imbues the organization with a profound sense of purpose. The enduring mission and philosophy instill a shared pride and deep connection to Kansas City, bringing great honor to employees and athletes who proudly call this vibrant community home.

Building on this commitment, the Royals proudly harnesses its distinctive strengths as a Major League Baseball team—leveraging the passion of its people, the power of its physical presence, and the influence of its brand—to create a lasting impact across diverse causes, from sustainability initiatives to mental health advocacy. In 2001, the Royals made a purposeful decision to create The Kansas City Royals Foundation, previously called Royals Charities. This foundation was crafted to formalize and amplify the team's dedication to giving back, ensuring their impact resonates deeply within the community that has steadfastly supported them.

The Kansas City Royals Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, harnesses the power of sport to uplift the lives of Kansas citizens. The Foundation has become a vital force for good in the region, focusing on literacy and education, promoting healthy and active communities, and supporting the military and veterans. Since its inception in 2001, the Royals Foundation has generously donated over $25 million in grants to hundreds of local nonprofits, including an impressive $2.8 million in 2023 alone.

Taking a holistic approach to community support, the Foundation has addressed critical needs throughout its history, with 2023 being a standout year. During this time, the Foundation and broader Community Impact department provided over 230,000 meals to families in need, supported youth's mental, physical, and emotional health, offered essential housing services to those in crisis, and launched a marquee literacy initiative, Royals Literacy League. The Royals Foundation is also known for its signature programs and events, which bring the community together in meaningful ways. The Diamond of Dreams Gala is a shining example, where fans, players, and community leaders unite to raise funds for the Foundation’s initiatives. The home-game 50/50 Raffle also offers fans an exciting chance to win cash prizes, with half of the proceeds supporting the Foundation's impactful efforts. In 2024, The Royals Foundation also hosted a 10-year reunion celebration of the 2014 American League Championship team, with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation.

The Kansas City Royals' enduring position as both a baseball team and a community pillar is a testament to their astute understanding of sports' role in society. The Foundation allows the Royals to give back meaningfully, making a lasting impact that extends far beyond the ballpark. Just as the team’s history is marked by moments of triumph and resilience, so too is the Foundation's work characterized by a commitment to uplifting the Kansas City community, ensuring that the Royals' legacy of giving is as strong as their legacy on the field.

Kansas City, Missouri, is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan cities in the United States. Apart from the passionate sports culture throughout the city, there is a wide variety of attractions and experiences that are suitable for all to enjoy. Popular attractions in Kansas City include the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the National WWI Museum, the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, and the famous American Jazz Museum. Located in the heartland of jazz music and famous barbecue food, Kansas City is renowned for its cuisine and musical heartbeat. The Historic Jazz District offers a plethora of live-music restaurants and lounges where the best local jazz musicians can be found. Away from the city's lively center, Swope Park is Kansas City’s largest public park. At 1,805 acres, the park is full of trails, woodlands, and grassy meadows, making it a peaceful hub for recreation and relaxation. Family attractions within the park include the iconic Starlight Theatre and Kansas City Zoo, which are frequently visited annually.

Any interested candidates should contact TurnkeyZRG directly.

Contacting Kansas City Royals will only delay consideration of your qualifications.

Position Summary:

The Director of Development has a crucial leadership role within the Royals’ Community Impact Department and The Kansas City Royals Foundation team as s/he will set the vision for and create and execute a robust fundraising strategy to support the Foundation’s long-term success. The ideal candidate will spearhead the strategic growth and diversification of the Foundation’s revenue, leading initiatives to secure new funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations while expanding and strengthening the existing donor base. This role demands visionary leadership, combining creative thinking with an entrepreneurial approach to identify and capitalize on new revenue opportunities. The successful candidate will possess exceptional skills in donor prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship, along with the ability to inspire teams and stakeholders with a bold vision for the future of fundraising. Strong business acumen, innovation, and a track record of driving impactful results are essential. This individual will manage one direct report and collaborate with colleagues within and across the Royals to achieve ambitious fundraising goals while aligning efforts with the Community Impact department’s long-term strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide executive leadership, strategic oversight, and comprehensive management of the Foundation’s fundraising operations, ensuring seamless coordination across all initiatives to optimize donor engagement, secure sustainable revenue streams, and align efforts with the Foundation's long-term strategic objectives.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy with clear short-, medium-, and long-term goals to ensure the Foundation's sustainable community impact; Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure accountability for this position and the Foundation in delivering on objectives and achieving measurable results.

• Design and present annual and multi-year operating plans in alignment with the fundraising strategy for approval by the Foundation’s Board of Directors; provide regular reports to the Board and Community Impact leadership on progress toward fundraising goals.

• Establish and maintain robust systems and processes to effectively support the Foundation’s short-, medium-, and long-term fundraising objectives.

• Utilize data-driven insights to develop and execute effective fundraising strategies, ensuring well-informed decision-making and optimization of fundraising efforts.

• Diversify the Foundation’s revenue streams by executing strategic fundraising initiatives that expand support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources, ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

• Build and nurture relationships with donors, sponsors, and stakeholders to secure financial support and long-term partnerships, including prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Secure major gifts (5-figure and above) and sponsorships, including annual and multi-year commitments, through active cultivation and solicitation efforts.

• Oversee successful planning and execution of marquee fundraising events, incorporating strategies to increase ROI.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and finance team to assist in the creation and management of the Foundation’s budget, ensuring alignment with financial goals.

• Constantly monitor and evaluate fundraising strategies and revenue streams, making adjustments as needed to achieve financial targets.

• Collaborate with the Royals’ Corporate Partnerships team, fostering strong internal and external relationships to drive strategic, meaningful investment and collaboration with corporate partners.

• Collaborate on the development of compelling fundraising materials, donor communications, and stewardship strategies to enhance storytelling, increase brand visibility, and raise the Foundation’s profile.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree; master’s degree or advanced certification preferred.

• 7-10 years of nonprofit (or equivalent) experience, with direct experience leading a fundraising/development function.

• A record of measurable results in developing and leading such campaigns as major gifts, membership/sponsorship programs, grant writing, annual funds, corporate and foundation giving, and fundraising events.

• Experience in a nonprofit entity that closely aligns with a for-profit organization preferred.

• A strong understanding of fundraising and development principles, techniques, and best practices, with experience in individual giving, corporate partnerships, and events.

• Exceptional leadership and strategic planning abilities, including strong project management and budget skills, and demonstrated experience mentoring and influencing team members.

• Superior written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate KCRF’s mission and vision and inspire diverse stakeholders; highly skilled at crafting proposals, donor correspondence, and other related materials.

• Demonstrated proactive and goal-driven self-starter.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills, as well as the ability to effectively prioritize and meet deadlines.

• A positive team player who promotes innovation and collaboration and thrives in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.

• A passion for philanthropy, nonprofit/community impact work, and the role sport can play to move communities forward.

• Flexibility and the ability to work non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends (as needed).

Benefits:

This role is a Full-Time, Exempt opportunity that is eligible for Company Benefits, 401K, and PTO. This role is expected to have a standard 40-hour work week.

The Kansas City Royals also afford equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability. For this reason, the Kansas City Royals will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant consistent with its legal obligations to do so, including reasonable accommodations applicable local, state and / or federal law. As part of its commitment to make reasonable accommodations, the Royals also wishes to participate in a timely, good faith, interactive process with a disabled applicant to determine effective reasonable accommodations, if any, which can be made in response to a request for accommodations. Applicants are invited to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made to assist them to perform the essential functions of the position they seek. Any applicant who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions please do not hesitate to let us know.