Director of Development (Fundraising & Philanthropy)

Director of Development (Fundraising & Philanthropy)

Houston, TX

Our client, a mission-driven nonprofit organization serving individuals who are blind or low vision, is seeking a passionate and strategic Director of Development to lead fundraising initiatives, donor engagement, grant management, and community outreach efforts. This Director will play a key leadership role in advancing the organization’s mission by building strong donor relationships, developing fundraising strategies, and driving philanthropic growth.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute fundraising strategies that support the organization’s mission and growth goals
• Lead fundraising campaigns, donor initiatives, sponsorship efforts, and special events
• Manage grant research, writing, submissions, and reporting requirements
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and community partners
• Identify and develop new funding opportunities and philanthropic partnerships
• Oversee donor database management, fundraising tracking, and reporting analytics
• Monitor fundraising budgets, expenditures, and overall campaign performance
• Collaborate with marketing and community outreach efforts, including donor communications and campaign materials
• Coordinate volunteers and support fundraising-related events and activities
• Ensure fundraising activities remain compliant with ethical, legal, and financial standards
• Supervise and support development team initiatives and related projects

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Fundraising, Communications, Marketing, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of fundraising or development experience within a nonprofit organization
• Experience in digital campaigns, donor data management systems, managing/developing fundraising campaigns, foundation directories, and grant writing.
• Experience using donor management software and Salesforce preferred
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to analyze fundraising data and create actionable development strategies
• Experience building partnerships with businesses, agencies, and community organizations
• Passion for mission-driven work and serving individuals with disabilities preferred