Director of Philanthropy

Description:

The Director of Philanthropy is a senior leadership role responsible for leading the day-to-day execution of CFF’s fundraising strategy, with communications and brand serving as key drivers of donor engagement and philanthropic growth.

• Working in close partnership with the Chief Development & Partnerships Officer (CDPO) and CEO, this role focuses on expanding individual giving and major gifts, strengthening donor stewardship, and ensuring CFF’s external presence consistently supports fundraising goals. The Director will lead systems, messaging, and team execution that grows CFF’s philanthropic base over time.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Duties:

Major Gifts & Individual Giving

• Build and manage a personal portfolio of major donors and prospects, with primary responsibility for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

• Develop and implement a moves management system to grow the individual giving pipeline from the current base

• Partner closely with the CEO, CDPO and board members on major gift strategy and relationship development

• Design and execute an annual giving program, including donor acquisition, renewal, and upgrading strategies

• Analyze donor data to inform strategy, track progress toward revenue goals, and report to leadership

Foundation & Grants Strategy

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for CFF's grants portfolio, supervising and mentoring the Grant Writer

• Cultivate and steward relationships with foundation program officers, identifying alignment between funder priorities and CFF programs

• Contribute to high-priority grant proposals and ensure quality control across the grants program

Communications & Public Relations

• Lead CFF's external communications strategy, including brand positioning, media relations, and public presence, ensuring it aligns with fundraising goals and donor engagement practices

• Develop compelling case-for-support narratives across CFF's five practice areas for diverse donor and public audiences

• Oversee content strategy for digital communications, e-newsletter, social media, and website in partnership with the Coordinator

• Identify and pursue earned media opportunities; serve as a primary communications contact for press inquiries, in coordination with organizational leadership

Annual Event

• Provide strategic leadership for CFF's annual fundraising event, with a focus on donor cultivation and relationship-building — not logistics management

• Work with the Coordinator to ensure the event is well-executed and advances donor engagement goals

Board & Leadership Partnership

• Serve as a key staff partner supporting board engagement in fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, and stewardship in close coordination with the CDPO and CEO.

• Develop tools, talking points, and support structures that make it easy for board members to participate actively in fundraising

• Participate as a senior leader in organizational planning, contributing a philanthropy and communications lens to strategy

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
• Hire, supervise, and evaluate staff. 
• Build team culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning
• Provide constructive feedback and coaching.
• Identify individual staff educational development and training needs, and work to assure these needs are met. 
• Support the program on effective staff communications and relationships.
• Promote professional development among staff and contribute to staff education.
• Lead the development team in the responsible adoption of AI tools while ensuring strict human oversight, brand alignment, and data privacy. 
• Supervise student interns as assigned; coordinate student and volunteer training.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, with demonstrated success in major gifts and individual donor fundraising
• Proven experience managing a donor portfolio and directly soliciting major gifts.
• Experience with moves management, donor database management (Raiser's Edge or comparable CRM), and data-driven fundraising strategy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex program work into compelling donor narratives.
• Experience supervising staff and developing team members.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with organizational leadership and volunteer leaders around fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to adopt new technologies, including AI tools, and to exercise sound judgment about appropriate use, data privacy, and ethical considerations when handling sensitive donor and constituent information. 
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Valid driver’s license that meets the requirements of the agency’s insurance carrier.

Preferred

• Experience with communications, Public Relations, or marketing in addition to fundraising,
• Familiarity with the Delaware philanthropic landscape — foundations, major donors, and corporate partners.
• Background in or strong interest in child and family services, trauma-informed care, early childhood, or related fields.
• Experience building or rebuilding a development program.
• Hands-on experience applying AI or automation tools to fundraising, prospect research, grant writing, or communications, including familiarity with safeguards for donor data privacy. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is required to talk and listen. The employee is frequently required to sit; walk; reach with hands and arms; and to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to stand and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 25 pounds.

EOE

Full-time with benefits

Benefits include:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401 (k) with matching
• Vacation, sick and holiday pay
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Wellness Programs

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