Director of Development

Position Summary

The Director of Development leads the fundraising, donor engagement, grant development, and external communications efforts for Third Street Education Center. This role is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive advancement strategy that supports the organization’s mission, enrollment growth, and long-term financial sustainability.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and leadership team, the Director of Development oversees donor cultivation, annual giving campaigns, grant writing, fundraising events, community partnerships, and strategic communications. The ideal candidate is relational, organized, mission-driven, and passionate about building meaningful partnerships that advance the work of Third Street Education Center

• Develop and execute annual fundraising strategies and campaigns to meet or exceed organizational fundraising goals.
• Develop and manage a donor pipeline that includes identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with individual donors, churches, foundations, corporate sponsors, and community partners.
• Develop strategies for recurring giving, mid-level giving, major gifts, and capital campaigns.
• Conduct donor meetings, fundraising calls, and community engagement efforts regularly.
• Help cultivate a culture of generosity and philanthropy throughout the organization.
• Maintain accurate donor records, reports, and communication logs within the organization’s CRM system (Bloomerang CRM).
• Track fundraising progress and provide regular reports to organizational leadership.

• Research, prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals and reporting requirements (utilize Instrumentl for research).
• Identify new funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Collaborate with leadership to align grant requests with operational and strategic goals.

• Oversee development-related communications including newsletters, donor updates, annual appeals, fundraising materials, event promotions, and handwritten thank you notes
• Develop quarterly communication plan based on seasonal focus.
• Assist with social media content and organizational storytelling that strengthens donor engagement and community awareness.
• Support website updates and public-facing communications as needed.
• Help ensure brand consistency and mission alignment across all external communications.
• Support digital fundraising efforts including email campaigns and online giving initiatives.

• Plan and coordinate fundraising events, donor appreciation initiatives, and community engagement opportunities.
• Recruit and coordinate volunteers and fundraising support teams for events and campaigns.
• Represent Third Street Education Center professionally within the community.

• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director, Finance Director, and Board of Directors regarding fundraising strategy, progress, and projections.
• Participate in leadership and strategic planning meetings.
• Support the overall mission, vision, and values of Third Street Education Center.

• A personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ and agreement with Third Street Education Center’s statement of faith.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; comparable professional experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in fundraising, development, nonprofit leadership, communications, sales, or related fields preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Comfortable engaging donors, community leaders, and supporters in person.
• Experience with CRM systems, donor databases, and Microsoft Office applications preferred.
• Experience with grant writing, fundraising campaigns, donor management, and event planning preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Desired Characteristics

• Mission-driven and service-oriented
• Relational and personable
• Self-starter with strong initiative
• Strategic thinker and problem solver
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Effective communicator and storyteller
• Team-oriented with the ability to work independently
• Passionate about Christian education and community impact

• Occasional evening and weekend events required.
• Local travel for donor meetings, community partnerships, and fundraising events may be required.
• This position is expected to maintain a visible and engaged presence within the community.

• Salary range: $55,000 – $70,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications
• 3% employer matching retirement contribution
• Employee-funded health insurance option available
• Paid holidays and PTO
• Employees earn 1.5 leave days per month
• One monthly “Soul Day” — a flexible paid personal day intended for rest, renewal, and personal wellness (non-bankable)
• Professional development opportunities available
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students and families through Christian education

• Ability to lift and transport materials up to 40 pounds occasionally
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and participate in events for extended periods as needed

Third Street Education Center is committed to building a Christ-centered culture that develops students academically, spiritually, and socially while fostering strong relationships with families and the community.