Taking Inventory of Your Development Department

February 06, 2018

Over the past several months, I have been in a number of conversations with clients regarding the structure of their Development department.  These conversations have been interesting and have pushed my clients to think objectively the needs of their organization today.  Often times, Development departments “evolve”, based on the skill set of the team and the immediate needs of the organization.  I find it beneficial to take a step back every now and then to take inventory.

First, make sure you have a good understanding of the organization’s goals:

  • What are the organization’s objectives over the next 12-24 months?
  • What is the Development department’s role in helping to meet these objectives?
  • Do we have the right roles in place within the Development department?
    • If not, what roles are missing?
    • What roles are no longer needed?

Next, take inventory:

  • Do we have the right skillsets within our current team?
  • If so, are those skills aligned to the correct positions?
  • If not, what is missing?
    • Can we identify training to address this?
    • Do we need to add resources to the team?

This exercise can prove beneficial in ensuring the right support for the organization and it can often prove uplifting for members of the Development team.  Sometimes a little change to a current position can be exciting and energizing with new opportunities and challenges.

Lastly, if you determine the need to hire a new person, here are a few good resources for non-profits:

Job posting – You can post your position at npo.net for as little as $70.  Most of my clients have used this website and have had good luck in finding qualified candidates.

Salary information – If you are unsure about a salary range for a position, go to Payscale.com.  It will provide salary ranges and other details free of charge.