Director of Advancement

Director of Advancement

Reports To: Executive Director

Status: Part-Time, Contract

Location: Remote (Minnesota preferred)

About Bellis

Bellis provides compassionate support for people whose children are parented by others—no matter how that came to be.

Bellis is the creator of the Stronger Together Peer Support Model™, the only support program in the United States specifically designed for parents who have experienced the loss of parenting rights or separation from their children.

Founded in 1983, Bellis is a nonprofit organization with no political or religious affiliations. The Bellis mission is to improve the lives of people experiencing ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief when their children are parented by others and to raise the standard of care for systems serving them.

Bellis’ primary goals are:

• To use our expertise in the complex work of ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief to support people who have been historically and institutionally marginalized because their children are parented by others.
• To earn the trust of those who are disenfranchised, offering programs where they can build resilience and greater emotional wellness.
• To establish financial sustainability for our organization through earned income while retaining the integrity of our programs, using data and the lived experiences of our program participants to guide growth.

Position Summary

The Director of Advancement is responsible for leading and implementing Bellis’ fundraising, donor engagement, marketing, and communications strategies to advance the organization's mission and ensure long-term sustainability. This position will build meaningful relationships with donors, foundations, corporate partners, and community stakeholders while increasing awareness of Bellis' unique programs and impact.

The Director of Advancement serves as a key member of the leadership team and works closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and community partners to achieve annual revenue and engagement goals.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive annual fundraising plan.
• Manage and grow individual giving programs, including annual appeals, major gifts, monthly giving, and donor stewardship.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospective supporters.
• Develop relationships with corporate sponsors and community partners.
• Oversee donor database management and fundraising reporting.
• Track fundraising metrics and prepare regular reports for leadership and the Board.
• Collaborate with grant-writing staff and consultants to support foundation and government funding opportunities.
• Create donor recognition and stewardship strategies that foster long-term engagement.

Marketing & Communications

• Develop and implement an integrated marketing and communications strategy.
• Oversee content creation for email campaigns, social media, newsletters, annual reports, website updates, and donor communications.
• Ensure consistent messaging, branding, and storytelling across all channels.
• Identify opportunities to increase awareness of Bellis' programs, services, and training initiatives.
• Support public relations efforts and community outreach opportunities.

Strategic Partnerships

• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, foundations, government agencies, and corporate partners.
• Identify opportunities to expand Bellis' visibility and impact through collaborative partnerships.
• Represent Bellis at community events and networking opportunities.

Leadership & Organizational Support

• Serve as a member of the leadership team and contribute to organizational planning and strategy.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors on fundraising initiatives and donor engagement.
• Support Board members in their role as ambassadors and fundraisers.
• Assist with strategic planning, annual goal setting, and organizational growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, advancement, development, or related roles.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts, sponsorships, and donor support.
• Experience managing fundraising campaigns and donor stewardship programs.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Salesforce or comparable systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with staff, volunteers, and board members.
• Preference for experience in behavioral health, family services, child welfare, adoption, recovery, or related nonprofit sectors.
• Commitment to Bellis' mission and values.

Compensation & Benefits

Wage: Contract position dependent on the organization’s fundraising cycle and needs, $75/hour, commensurate with experience.

Bellis offers flexible work arrangements, the opportunity to advance to full-time with benefits package, and make a meaningful impact in the lives of people experiencing ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief because their children are parented by others.

To Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to Bellis Executive Director Kelly Tronstad kellyt@mybellis.org.

Bellis is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees, participants, volunteers, and community partners. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.