Director of Development

Position: Director of Development

Reports to: CEO/President

Status: Full Time – Salary – Exempt

Overview: The Director of Development leads all fundraising, community engagement, and marketing/communications efforts to advance the Coalition’s mission. This role oversees private sector giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, special events, and direct mail. The Director is responsible for achieving annual revenue goals, increasing donor retention, and expanding media and community visibility. Working closely with the President/CEO, Board of Directors, and key partners, this position fosters strong donor relationships and guides a high-performing team. The ideal candidate is a strategic, results-driven leader with proven fundraising expertise and a passion for strengthening community impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Meet or exceed all fiscal year revenue goals across multiple fundraising categories, including:
• Private sector revenue
• Major gifts
• Fundraising events
• Direct mail campaigns
• Increase donor retention by at least 10% over the prior fiscal year.
• Maintain a 3:1 (or better) fundraising ratio for all fundraising events.
• Grow social media audience and engagement reach.
• Increase earned media opportunities and public awareness of the Coalition’s mission.
• Remain accountable for all Development Department key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Meet or exceed stewardship calendar checkpoints and ensure timely donor recognition.
• Provide effective, supportive leadership to the Development, Community Engagement, and Marketing/Communications departments by setting clear expectations and fostering a positive, collaborative environment.
• Create, implement, and maintain an annual written fundraising and event plan that includes detailed timelines, measurable goals, clear deadlines, and assigned responsibilities.
• Identify, recruit, and cultivate corporate sponsors for fundraising events.
• Serve as staff liaison for select volunteer committees, including the Hearts of Gold and Philanthropy Committees.
• Identify and qualify prospective donors from existing and new pools.
• Create individualized donor goals based on giving history, capacity, and propensity.
• Collaborate with the Development team to create, follow, and execute a stewardship matrix.
• Provide data-driven donor analysis reports to guide fundraising decisions and strategies.
• Partner with the Development Coordinator to coordinate logistics and operations for cost-effective, professional execution of Coalition events.
• Support and coordinate Development Department events and campaigns, including major donor events and fundraising initiatives.
• Manage the annual direct mail plan and calendar, working with consultants and printers to ensure timely and cost-effective production.
• Create and monitor the department’s annual budget, making ongoing adjustments as needed.
• Develop thoughtful and creative donor cultivation and stewardship tactics as part of a comprehensive moves management plan.
• Serve as a media representative for the Coalition, including conducting on-camera and written interviews and preparing the President/CEO for media appearances.
• Actively participate in monthly Executive Committee and Board of Directors meetings by preparing reports, providing updates, and engaging board members in fundraising activities.
• Lead group and individual tours of campus for prospective and current donors to increase engagement and understanding of the Coalition’s mission.
• Develop and track a donor retention rate, including establishing baseline metrics and ongoing reporting.
• Create and implement department Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure effectiveness, inform strategy, and support continuous improvement.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year accredited college or university. (Preferred)
• Minimum of five years of experience in fundraising, including staff management; experience in social service fundraising and media relations preferred.
• Must adhere to the AFP Code of Ethical Standards and comply with all applicable fundraising laws (national, state, and local).
• Demonstrated commitment to continuing education and staying current with fundraising trends and best practices.
• Highly proficient in donor database systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience in diverse fundraising activities, including major gifts, corporate fundraising, proposal writing, event sponsorships, and leading volunteer committees.
• Willingness to embrace and promote a Housing Focused/Housing First approach to ending homelessness.
• Minimum required experience:
• Fundraising: 5 year (Required)
• Microsoft Office: 1 year (Required)
  

Required Skills:

• High emotional intelligence and ability to build strong, positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with board members, high-net-worth donors, corporate sponsors, volunteers, and colleagues across all departments.
• Strong professional communication skills—both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a team to achieve departmental goals and maintain excellence in all initiatives.
• Exceptional integrity, discretion, and professional judgment.
• Ability to work efficiently and maintain high-quality results under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively.
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive approach to problem-solving and teamwork.
• Tactful and diplomatic with sensitive information and donor relationships.
  
  
  

Disclaimer: This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. This description excludes the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to essential job duties. All duties, responsibilities, and requirements are vital to the job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" employment relationship.