Director of Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropy

Director of Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropy

Freed People

About Freed People

Freed People rescues women and children from human trafficking and supports them on the path toward safety, stability, and freedom. Our work is rooted in strong partnerships with individuals, institutions, and communities who believe lasting change happens through commitment, trust, and long-term investment.

Position Summary

The Director of Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropy leads Freed People’s relationship-centered fundraising and engagement efforts. This role focuses on building genuine, trust-based connections with donors, sponsors, and community partners who believe in the mission and want to walk alongside it over time.

Working closely with organizational leadership and volunteer committees, the Director strengthens long-term philanthropic support and helps grow a connected, committed community of supporters. This position prioritizes stewardship, presence, and thoughtful engagement over transactional fundraising, with an emphasis on relationships that endure.

Key Responsibilities

Donor & Partner Cultivation

• Build and sustain authentic, long-term relationships with individual donors, major gift prospects, corporate partners, and community stakeholders.

• Develop thoughtful cultivation and stewardship approaches that reflect donor interests, values, and motivations.

• Partner with leadership and board members in meaningful donor conversations and strategic outreach.

• Research, identify, and qualify new prospective supporters to grow Freed People’s philanthropic network.

Philanthropic Strategy & Planning

• Shape and carry out fundraising and engagement strategies aligned with Freed People’s priorities and capacity.

• Collaborate with executive leadership to set fundraising goals, manage the donor pipeline, and track progress.

• Use donor insights and fundraising best practices to guide outreach and refine relationship strategies.

Stewardship & Donor Experience

• Ensure donors feel known, valued, and connected through intentional, mission-centered stewardship.

• Oversee the preparation of proposals, impact updates, and donor communications that clearly reflect Freed People’s work and values.

• Maintain accurate donor records and engagement histories to support strong relationship management and reporting.

Volunteer & Committee Engagement

• Cultivate and steward relationships with a small group of volunteers who support development and engagement efforts, including event committees and administrative support.

• Approach volunteer engagement through a philanthropic lens, recognizing volunteers as donors of time, talent, and advocacy.

• Provide clear communication, guidance, and appreciation to ensure volunteers feel valued, connected, and meaningfully engaged.

Events & Volunteer-Committee Leadership

• Lead the planning and execution of Freed People’s event portfolio, including one major annual gala and a small number of awareness and celebration events throughout the year.

• Work closely with and lead volunteer event committees, providing structure, support, and direction throughout the planning process.

• Manage event logistics, timelines, budgets, vendors, and internal coordination to create welcoming, mission-aligned experiences.

• Ensure post-event follow-up supports long-term donor and sponsor stewardship in partnership with the communications team.

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate with communications, operations, and program staff to align fundraising efforts with impact stories and organizational priorities.

• Contribute to donor messaging, fundraising materials, and impact reporting with a relationship-centered lens.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (such as nonprofit management, business administration, or communications) preferred with 5 or more years of fundraising or a proven 8-year record of successful experience in the nonprofit sector will be strongly considered.

• Proven track record of successful fundraising and donor relations in the nonprofit sector, including experience in major gift solicitation, grant writing, and individual giving.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including donors, board members, volunteers, and community partners.

• Exceptional written communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling proposals, reports, and donor communications.

• Experience working with volunteers.

• Event management experience.

• The ability to develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies.

• Knowledge of fundraising best practices, trends, and legal requirements in the nonprofit sector.

• Proficiency in using donor management systems, fundraising software, and Microsoft Office suite.