Director of Development & Communications

Wellness House of Annapolis

Director of Development and Communications

The Director of Development and Communications leads Wellness House of Annapolis’ fundraising initiatives and external communications strategy. This role is responsible for strengthening financial support while elevating the organization’s voice across the community.

This is a key leadership position that works closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and staff to advance the mission of the Wellness House. The Director develops and implements integrated strategies that align fundraising, storytelling, and relationship-building to inspire giving and deepen community connection.

About Wellness House Of Annapolis

Wellness House of Annapolis provides free, comprehensive support to individuals and families impacted by cancer. Through mental health and integrative wellness services, Wellness House offers a place of connection, healing, and hope throughout the cancer experience.

Located in a welcoming, home-like environment, Wellness House serves as a trusted resource for individuals and their families navigating the cancer continuum. With a focus on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—our programs empower members with the tools they need to move through cancer with resilience.

About Our Culture

We’re mission-driven, and we work hard because we genuinely care about our members, about each other, and about the work we do every day. We believe in showing up with compassion, honesty, and a willingness to grow, both individually and as a team.

There’s something truly unique about the space we work in—a house on a horse farm that seems to hold its own kind of magic. Nature, animals, and the history of the land are part of the healing environment we offer, playing a vital role in creating a sacred space for our members. We believe the right people find their way here, and we nurture that sense of purpose and belonging once they do.

Responsibilities Overview

• Fundraising & Strategy: Create and implement comprehensive fundraising plans, including an annual giving campaign, leadership gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants and establishing a planned giving program.
• Events, Donor Relations & Stewardship: Cultivate, solicit, and steward existing donors as well as prospects to grow the organization's donor base and improve donor retention rates. Responsible for planning and implementing Wellness House’s annual Great Fall Fundraiser and Festival at the Farm fundraising events.
• Communications & Marketing: Oversee all organizational communications, including website content, newsletters, social media, press relations, and the annual report.
• Leadership & Administration: Serve on the senior leadership team, oversee the Salsa database, track metrics, manage the department budget, and coordinate with support staff.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Strategy:

• Lead and collaborate with key staff members to establish, achieve, and annually revise a multi-year comprehensive Fund Development Plan
• Closely monitor annual fund activity by quarter to ensure established goals are met each year
• Develop new tactics to attract and retain current annual fund donors
• Strategically identify tactics to upgrade qualified annual fund donors to give at the major gift level
• Collaborate with outside campaign counsel and other contractual resources to achieve short and long-term objectives
• Attend regional fundraising-related professional seminars to gain a deeper knowledge of best practices and donor operations
• Design and implement a phased approach to launch a planned giving program at the Wellness House
  
  

Events, Donor Relations & Stewardship

• Conduct an average of three (3) major donor meetings per month to meet or exceed fundraising goals
• Utilize Moves Management to cultivate, solicit, and steward a dynamic portfolio of donors
• Facilitate weekly Prospect Management Meetings with related staff and volunteers to ensure update and deadline dates are met with regularity
• Use CRM data to segment audiences and guide donor engagement strategies
• Manage and track donor contributions; oversee donor acknowledgment, receipts, and reporting in partnership with staff
• Build and maintain relationships with corporate sponsors, foundations, government entities, and community partners
• Ensure strong stewardship practices to meet donor expectations and strengthen long-term relationships
• Oversee all aspects of annual event planning, volunteer management, sponsorships, and related coordination
  
  

Communications & Marketing

• Develop compelling donor communications, including appeals, newsletters, reports, and stewardship materials
• Lead communications strategy with clear, compelling storytelling that integrates fundraising and strategic goals, ensuring consistent messaging across digital, print, and in-person platforms
• Collaborate with leadership and program staff to align messaging with organizational impact and member experience
• Oversee digital communications, including website, email, and social media to increase visibility and engagement
• Lead outreach and public engagement through presentations, events, and partnerships
• Develop and ensure strong, creative, and “on brand” event messaging/promotions, participation, and targeted revenue outcomes
  
  

Grant Management

• Research, qualify, and engage new foundations that closely align with the Wellness House mission
• Manage all grant proposals and reporting, coordinating with staff and advising leadership
• Coordinate programmatic staff feedback and participation to identify new grant opportunities and engage existing donors in meaningful experiences related to their annual support
  
  

Secondary Responsibilities

• Serve as staff liaison to the Board Development Committee
• Maintain and update the development and communications calendar
• Support database and mailing list management for outreach and communications
• Collaborate with and lead volunteers supporting fundraising and communications efforts
  
  

Competency Areas

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building abilities
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and presentation skills
• Creative and adaptable approach to community engagement
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to integrate development and communications
• Ability to analyze data and use insights to guide strategy
  
  

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, nonprofit management, or related field with Five (5) years of fundraising and development experience
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and secure leadership gifts of five and six figures
• Experience in successfully planning and implementing major fundraising events
• Ability to produce a variety of high-quality donor communications, including online social media and printed materials
• Proficient with CRM systems and software (e.g., Salsa, MindBody, Constant Contact, Adobe, Canva, Microsoft Office, social media)
• Experience with grant writing
• Moves Management experience preferred
  
  

Work Requirements

• Periodic evening and weekend work required
• Periodic local travel required
• Comfortable lifting up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to stand for extended periods during events
• Perform other duties as assigned
  
  

To apply, please submit a cover letter expressing your interest, along with a resume via email to johnt@annapoliswellnesshouse.org