Development Manager/Fundraising

Position Summary

This role will lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that fuels the mission of Dayton Dream Center: partnering with local churches, volunteers, and community organizations to bring hope, meet needs, and transform lives in the Miami Valley.

As a growing nonprofit organization, Dayton Dream Center is seeking a builder, someone experienced in helping nonprofits in their early stages establish sustainable fundraising systems, donor pipelines, and long-term partnerships. This role requires both strategic vision and hands-on execution.

This leader will develop creative, outside-the-box approaches to engaging new donors, church partners, foundations, and corporate sponsors to expand financial support and ministry impact. The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, resourceful, relationally driven, and energized by building something meaningful from the ground up. They are a strategic thinker, strong communicator, and deeply aligned with faith-based outreach ministry.

About Dayton Dream Center

Dayton Dream Center mobilizes churches and volunteers to serve individuals and families through consistent outreach initiatives, including food distribution, DC Diner community meals, community resource connections, and transformational programs. We believe in meeting both practical and spiritual needs while building long-term relationships that lead to life change.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Fund Development

• Create and implement an annual fundraising plan aligned with ministry growth goals.
• Develop diversified revenue streams including:
• Individual giving (monthly partners, major donors)
• Church partnerships and sponsorships
• Corporate partnerships
• Grants and foundations
• Fundraising events and campaigns
• Establish measurable revenue targets and provide monthly reporting to leadership and board.

Major Gifts & Donor Cultivation

• Identify, cultivate, and steward major donors.
• Conduct regular donor meetings and vision presentations.
• Develop strategies to increase recurring giving and long-term donor engagement.
• Ensure timely and meaningful gift acknowledgment and stewardship.

Church & Community Partnerships

• Strengthen financial partnerships with local churches.
• Present Dayton Dream Center’s mission at churches, local organizations and community gatherings.
• Collaborate with church leaders to align giving with volunteer engagement and outreach initiatives.

Events & Campaigns

• Oversee fundraising events (banquets, vision nights, community fundraisers).
• Collaborate with ministry staff to integrate storytelling and impact reporting into fundraising efforts.
• Lead seasonal campaigns (year-end, Serve Day partnerships, special initiatives).

Storytelling & Impact Communication

• Gather and communicate life-change stories from outreach programs.
• Work closely with leadership and communications to ensure consistent messaging of mission and impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, ministry, or business.
• 3 years of development or fundraising experience preferred.
• Proven success in meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.
• Experience working with churches or faith-based organizations strongly preferred.
• Strong relational, communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience with donor CRM systems.
• Self-starter with strong organizational and follow-through skills.

Faith & Cultural Expectations

• Strong personal Christian faith and alignment with Dayton Dream Center’s mission and values.
• Comfortable praying with donors and representing the ministry in faith settings.
• Passionate about serving underserved communities.
• Demonstrates humility, integrity, and servant leadership.

Core Competencies

• Relationship Builder
• Vision Communicator
• Strategic Planner
• Results-Oriented
• Ministry-Minded
• Highly Organized