What are the responsibilities and job description for the Development Director position at Naples Therapeutic Riding Center?
Development Director
Reports To: Executive Director
Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Position Summary
The Development Director is responsible for advancing the fundraising goals of Naples
Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC) through events, donor cultivation, donor retention, and
stewardship. This role emphasizes relationship-building, the execution of NTRC’s signature
fundraising events, and oversight of donor appeals and grant activities. The Development
Director also manages the development coordinator, oversees the grants calendar, provides
donor tours, and supports the Executive Director in strengthening community relationships.
The Development Director represents NTRC with warmth and empathy, ensuring all
donors, volunteers, and families feel welcomed and valued. This is a hands-on role ideal for
a motivated, detail-oriented, and personable fundraising professional who enjoys people-
facing work, event management, and donor engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Donor Engagement & Stewardship
- Cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors through face-to-face
interactions, tours, and personalized engagement.
- Coordinate and implement donor appeals (direct mail, email, and targeted campaigns).
- Manage donor appreciation gatherings and small cultivation events as part of NTRC’s
overall stewardship strategy.
- Focus on donor retention strategies, ensuring ongoing stewardship and recognition.
Events & Volunteer Leadership
- Plan, coordinate, and execute NTRC’s major fundraising events, including the Bootstrap
Boogie Barn Dance and Kentucky Derby Party.
- Lead volunteer fundraising committees and motivate volunteers to support sponsorships,
auctions, and fundraising goals.
- Manage donor appreciation gatherings and small cultivation events as part of NTRC’s
overall stewardship strategy.
- Manage event budgets, vendors, timelines, and logistics to ensure financial and
experiential success.
- Oversee guest experience details such as table placement, registration, and auctions
(live/silent).
Grants & Institutional Giving
- Oversee the grant coordinator and maintain the annual grants calendar to ensure timely
submissions and reports.
- Research and pursue grant and foundation funding opportunities.
- Ensure accurate and timely submission of proposals and reports.
Appeals & Campaign Support
- Assist in the development and execution of seasonal appeals and targeted fundraising
campaigns.
- Track results of appeals and campaigns and provide recommendations for growth.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Supervise the Development Coordinator, who supports donor correspondence, record-
keeping, and administrative functions.
- Lead a team of two (Development Coordinator and Grant Coordinator) and guide
volunteer fundraisers.
- Partner with the Executive Director on donor strategy and cultivation.
- Collaborate with staff and volunteers across the organization to maximize development
efforts.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
- 3–5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a focus on events and donor relations.
- Reliable transportation for donor visits and events.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; enjoys working with people of all ages and
backgrounds, including children, families, older adults, and individuals with diverse needs.
- Incredible team player with a collaborative mindset and a great personality to boot.
- HIGHLY organized with strong attention to detail.
- Results-driven and metrics-driven, with a proven ability to meet fundraising goals.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel and Word required).
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for events and donor activities.
Preferred
- Sponsorship solicitation experience, including working with corporate and community
partners.
- Experience managing event logistics such as table placement, guest registration, and
check-out.
- Familiarity with silent and live auction planning and execution.
- Familiarity with donor databases or CRM systems.
- Knowledge of local philanthropic networks.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Position is based on-site in Naples, Florida.
- Requires availability for evening and weekend events.
- Must be able to navigate uneven terrain on foot to conduct tours of the property (reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential functions).
- Must be comfortable working in proximity to large animals (horses) in a barn and arena
environment.
- Some regional travel for donor visits and events.
