Area Development Director - Detroit, MI

Job Title: Area Development Director – Detroit, MI  

Department: Development 

Reports To: Regional Development Director 

FLSA Status: Exempt  

Band: D1, L2  

JOB DESCRIPTION 

The Area Development Director (ADD) is responsible for providing strategic leadership for short- and long-range fundraising goals and conducting cost-effective annual fund-raising campaigns throughout Michigan to support UNCF’s mission. The Area Development Director (ADD) will work in partnership with the Regional Development Director (RDD) in implementing local fundraising strategies and action plans designed to achieve annual revenue goals in support of UNCF's 37 member institutions and scholarship programs.

Serving as a key ambassador for UNCF, the Area Development Director cultivates, solicits and stewards relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, civic organizations and community leaders to secure philanthropic investments that advance UNCF's mission. This position develops and executes fundraising strategies, prepares and submits grant proposals and sponsorship solicitations, manages donor portfolios and oversees cultivation and stewardship activities to maximize donor engagement and retention throughout Michigan, especially West Michigan.

ABOUT UNCF 

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has been an engine of educational achievement for more than 80 years. UNCF’s mission is to build a robust and nationally recognized pipeline of HBCU students who, because of UNCF support, become highly qualified college graduates. In addition, UNCF ensures that its member institutions remain respected models of best practices in moving students to and through college. Since its inception in 1944, UNCF has raised over $6 billion in private support, distributed scholarships to help students attend school, and enabled more than 500,000 scholars and low-income students to graduate from UNCF’s member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and launch professional careers. UNCF is committed to closing the educational attainment gap by increasing postsecondary access and success for student groups, particularly low-income and first-generation students. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: 

• Develop new sources of unrestricted income primarily through non-event fundraising from, corporations, foundations, individuals and local community partners. Plan and implement campaign strategies consistent with UNCF national action plans and policies.
• Develop and submit solicitation proposals and design and implement special fund-raising events.
• Write fundraising correspondence, letters of acknowledgment and appeals and maintain a regular schedule of in-person visits with corporations, foundations, individuals, etc.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and potential high net-worth donors.
• Identify and recruit leadership council members. 
• Establish and maintain close, direct contact with local corporations, government, community, church and civic leaders to ensure top volunteer leadership.
• Generate queries, reports, exports and other collection data as needed to prepare solicitation strategies and financial analysis.
  

Revenue Strategy & Goal Achievement

• Establish and execute short- and long-range fundraising plans aligned with market specific goals.
• Develop annual revenue projections across all giving streams.
• Ensure accurate forecasting and revenue pipeline management.
  

Donor Development & Relationship Management

• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major donors, corporate executives, foundation leaders and community stakeholders.
• Maintain a portfolio of qualified prospects with documented moves management strategies.
• Ensure donor engagement strategies to align with UNCF’s mission.
  

Signature Events & Campaign Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight for the Michigan campaign fundraising initiatives.
• Recruit, manage and hold accountable volunteer leadership committees.
• Ensure event revenue goals and sponsorship benchmarks are met.
• Oversee expense management to maintain net revenue standards.
• Leverage events as donor cultivation and acquisition platforms.
  

Volunteer Leadership & Governance Engagement

• Establish and maintain liaison with volunteer leaders and advisory councils.
• Set clear expectations, timelines, and revenue responsibilities.
• Identify high-capacity volunteers for leadership pipeline development.
  

Operational & Administrative

• Ensure timely and accurate documentation in donor management systems.
• Submit reports, projections and financial reconciliations in accordance with deadlines.
• Collaborate effectively with accounting, marketing and national program teams.
• Manage budget oversight and expense controls responsibly.
  

Team Collaboration & Local Alignment

• Work in partnership with the Regional Development Director (RDD) to implement local strategy.
• Participate in strategic planning sessions.
• Share best practices and support cross-market initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

May directly supervise an administrative assistant. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

A Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university and at least 7-10 years’ experience in fund-raising, marketing or public relations. 

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES  

Ability to conduct major fund-raising activities, including capital campaigns and annual giving drives; excellent organizational and written and verbal communication skills; outstanding human relations and managerial skills; demonstrated initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision; and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Benefits include:

Medical, Dental & Vision

Vacation, Sick & Personal Leave 

Life Insurance (Basic & Optional)

Flex Spending Accounts

403(b) Retirement Account

Holiday Savings Plan

Annual Incentive Pay 

Salary Range: $98,900.00 To $105,000.00 per year (Salary is commensurate with experience.) This is a hybrid position: 4 days in-person, 1-day remote work schedule, located in UNCF’s Detroit, MI Area Office.

Background checks required.

UNCF is EOE M/F/D/V