Development Director

Position Title: Development Director
Organization: Sam Day Foundation
Reports to: Executive Director
Salary: $90,000 - $95,000/annual
Benefits: Health insurance, vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, 403(b) retirement plan, professional development opportunities

Sam Day Foundation is looking for our development staff member to take fundraising to the next level at our growing organization. A skilled, organized, and dynamic fundraiser will help advance and support the organization’s fundraising program, allowing us to realize our fund development goals of increasing our net revenue for programming to $1.8 million by 2027. Building on the successful fundraising work by the Executive Director and Board, the Director will strengthen the infrastructure, build on relationships made, and support the strong mission and innovative vision work already in place.

ABOUT US
Dream big, laugh often, live well. The mission of Sam Day Foundation (SDF) is to advance research for childhood and young adult cancers and facilitate wellness-centered support and experiences so kids with cancer can survive and live well.

The Foundation started as a group of people who loved Sam Day and were compelled to fight for him and other young people dealing with the brutality of childhood cancer. With his passing in 2016, his circle of support felt a profound sense of loss, anger, and sorrow. We have become keenly aware of the devastating effects of cancer and the need for better treatment options. In 2018, we decided to launch the Sam Day Foundation.

What started as a proactive effort to save Sam and other young people battling Ewing Sarcoma has grown into a strong community of compassionate philanthropists and advocates of all ages and backgrounds. Today, our hope is to generate enough attention and resources toward innovative and promising research to one day make it possible for more kids with cancer to survive and live well.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Development Director will strengthen and expand SDF’s fundraising program with a focus on individual giving, sponsorships, and events. Working closely with the Executive Director, this position will help build the systems, relationships, and structures to sustain long-term growth while maintaining SDF’s personal, community-centered approach to fundraising.

This role is ideal for an experienced and self-motivated fundraiser who excels at relationship building, donor stewardship, and hands-on event fundraising, and who thrives in a small, collaborative team. The position will have flexibility, administrative support through operations staff, and the opportunity to grow alongside the organization.

PRIMARY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Work with the Board and Executive Director in developing a fundraising strategy to meet the approved revenue budget.

• Establish an annual Development Plan, and lead efforts to successfully reach established goals, including increasing the programming budget to over $1 million annually by 2027.

• Lead, plan and execute all development areas, including year-end appeal, Giving Tuesday, monthly and major donor stewardship and cultivation plans, annual fundraisers, expansion into the Seattle metropolitan area, and additional fundraising activities.

• Cultivate, build, acknowledge, and appreciate all current donors and sponsors to grow their connection and giving journey through SDF.

• Work to qualify, identify, engage, and organically grow a network of deeply committed supporters through successful funding infrastructure.

• Execute and grow grant writing with a potential for oversight of a grant writer in the future.

Communication & Community Engagement

• Create case statements and storytelling that align with SDF’s work and goals, and encourage and motivate donors.

• Manage content creation and maintenance for the website, social media, annual report, and other promotional materials.

• Expand the reach of SDF as a beneficiary of funding events within the Pacific Northwest.

• Ensure all development work includes case support for research projects, complementary activities that strengthen the field, disseminate learnings, promote collaboration, and bring the benefits of research to kids and families in the Northwest.

Data Management & Stewardship

• Update and/or establish development policies, systems, and procedures, with a special emphasis on professionalism and moves management.

• Create and implement a stewardship plan that ensures timely communications to include thank you and appreciation messages, recaps, and impact reports

• Manage SDF’s CRM, currently GiveButter.

Collaboration & Internal Support

• Work with the Director of Finance and Operations, Board Treasurer, and Executive Director to prepare and manage budgets.

• Serve as staff leadership for the Board Development Committee, including cultivation of donors, scheduling timely meetings, and providing reports and materials needed.

• Research, identify, and pursue additional funding opportunities, including individuals, corporate support, and third-party grants.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or a combination of education and relevant work experience.

• 5 years of relevant work experience, ideally in nonprofit management.

• 3 years of experience in prospecting, cultivating, and managing relationships with non-profit donors to meet fundraising goals.

• Proven track record in successfully soliciting and closing gifts.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including clear and effective written communication.

• Passion and commitment to SDF’s mission.

PREFERRED

• Experience securing sponsorships or managing peer-to-peer fundraising.

• Knowledge of local philanthropic community and event management.

• Experience supporting or managing volunteers.

• Experience supporting an Executive Director and Board in an effort to reach fundraising goals.

• High level of proficiency with MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Keynote, CRM, Google Workspace ,and other software programs/technology needed to perform job functions.

• Willingness to be “hands-on” and work in a lean, fast-paced organization with limited administrative support.

COMPENSATION

• $90,000 - $95,000 annually

• Portland - Full Time 38-hour workweek, Flexible, Hybrid (WFH, In-office set two days a week).

• Four weeks of Vacation/sick leave in first year, and nine holidays.

• Option to enroll in SDF newly established health insurance.

• Access to 403b retirement savings account.

• Some work on weekends and evenings to attend relevant events and meetings is required.

• Access to professional development opportunities available and encouraged.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

The Same Day Foundation is working with Nonprofit Professionals Now (NPN) to recruit for this key position. Applications should include a resume, and cover letter. All applications will be reviewed.

Application Deadline: December 7th, 2025.

SDF is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.