Director of Development

About the Organization

We are a growing six-year-old nonprofit organization with a $2.6 million operating budget dedicated to advancing our mission of impacting generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors 12 years no matter what. With strong momentum committed leadership and an engaged board we are seeking our first Director of Development to lead and expand our fundraising efforts.

Position Summary

The Director of Development is the driving force behind our fundraising strategy and growth. This leader sets the vision makes the asks and builds the relationships that fuel our $2.6M organizations impact. Equal parts strategist and doer they thrive on ambitious goals meaningful donor connections and turning opportunity into revenue.

Reporting to the Executive Director and supervising the Development Manager and contract grant writer this person brings focus energy and fun to the work organized collaborative and fearless in pursuit of support. If you love building relationships rallying people around a mission and hustling to make big things happen this role is for you.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

A. Organizational Leadership

Participate in organizational meetings with the Leadership Team the Board of Directors and Board committees

Participate in development and oversight of annual budget and organizational strategic planning

Value and foster an organizational culture of philanthropy

o Facilitate program participation in fundraising and donor cultivation events

o Collaborate on grant applications and manage deliverables

Collaborate with the Friends network

o Build strong relationships with network Development Directors and National staff

o Monthly Development Director calls

o Serve as a strategic thought partner with National and network chapters

Comfortable communicating with a wide range of audiences

o Multi-cultural youth and families

o Community resources partners and businesses

o Public speaking engagements

Participate in and support meetings and events for our organization during times that may fall outside of the traditional work week

Ability to pivot and respond to unplanned urgent situations

Develop implement and oversee other projects as required

B. Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

Develop and execute a comprehensive annual development plan aligned with organizational goals

Meet and exceed annual fundraising targets across multiple revenue streams

Provide regular forecasting reporting and analysis to the Executive Director and Board

Identify new funding opportunities and growth strategies

C. Major Gifts & Donor Stewardship

Build manage and grow a portfolio of individual major donors and prospects

Cultivate solicit and steward donors through personalized engagement strategies

Strengthen systems for donor retention upgrade and recognition

Partner with the Executive Director and Board on major gift strategy and asks

D. Events & Corporate Partnerships

Provide strategic oversight for fundraising events to maximize revenue and donor engagement

Cultivate and steward corporate sponsors and community partners

Ensure events align with broader fundraising and relationship-building goals

E. Grants & Institutional Giving

Oversee grant strategy and pipeline development

Support and guide grant writing efforts led by the Development Manager

Build relationships with foundation and institutional funders

F. Team Leadership & Collaboration

Supervise and support the Development Manager (marketing communications event logistics social media some solicitation and grant writing)

Foster a collaborative high-performing development function

Work cross-functionally with program staff to gather stories impact data and funding priorities

Engage and support board members in fundraising activities

Skills & Qualifications

Minimum 46 years of nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding revenue goals

Proven track record in major gifts donor stewardship events and grants

Experience managing or growing a development program within a $1M budget organization preferred

Strong relationship-builder with excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Strategic thinker with strong organizational and project management abilities

Experience supervising staff and building collaborative teams

Comfortable making direct asks and engaging high-level donors

Proficiency with donor databases/CRM systems

Ideal Attributes

Highly organized and detail-oriented while keeping sight of big-picture strategy

Collaborative and team-oriented

Energetic positive and mission-driven

Creative problem-solver

Self-starter with a strong work ethic and results-driven mindset

Brings both professionalism and a sense of fun to the work

Salary Range

Full-time exempt salaried position of $85000 - $95000 annually

Benefits

The benefit package is comprehensive and includes the following:

Medical dental EAP and vision coverage paid 100% for the employee by the organization; 25% of the premium for dependents is paid by the organization

401k plan with matching of up to 2.5%

Long-term Disability Life and ADD coverage paid 100% for the employee by the organization

Subsidized AAA membership

Plus a robust paid time off package that includes the following annually (prorated based on start date):

120 hours vacation (with progressive increases based on longevity)

80 hours sick

10 paid holidays

6 mental health days

Paid time off for the work days that occur during our closure between Christmas and New Years Day

Location

Vancouver Washington

Additional Information

Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to addressing discriminatory practices and to working toward racial equity. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants regardless of race color religious creed national origin ancestry age sex gender pregnancy sexual orientation marital status familial status disability or genetic information in compliance with applicable federal state and local law. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.