Director of Development

Director Of Development

International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) is entering an unprecedented season of growth and innovation, building off the strong legacy of decades of ministers and volunteers who came before us. We are pioneering bold, new initiatives in international student ministry-from ground-breaking approaches like our Frontier Commons innovation lab to launching overseas returnee hubs that help graduates continue to thrive back home. Operating with the agility, drive, and vision of an entrepreneurial startup, IFI is actively reshaping how church communities extend life-changing hospitality and friendship to international college students across the US and beyond.

As our Director of Development, you will spearhead IFI's national fundraising strategy, instilling a vibrant culture of generosity, cultivating transformative major donor relationships, and expanding our resource base to reach our God-sized goals. Partnering closely with the CEO and senior leadership, you will fuel our audacious 10-year vision to welcome 200,000 international students and empower 10,000 leaders globally.

Expected work schedule for the Director of Development:

• Full-time, flexible schedule. Our home office is based in Columbus, OH, and this position can be a work from home position from elsewhere in the U.S.
• Occasional evenings and/or weekends for donor events and fundraising activities
• Attendance at several conferences each year, including IFI Staff Retreats
• Periodic travel for donor cultivation and location partnerships

Pay structure for a Director of Development:

• Pay range is $75,000 - $95,000, based on experience and other factors
• Support development may also be available

Director of Development Benefits:

• Paid vacation, sick, holidays, and more (once eligible)
• Health benefits available (medical, dental, and vision)
• 403(b) retirement savings plan available to help you plan for the future
• Flexible hours and work from home availability
• Work for a growing Christian organization
• Staff care to support mental, social, and spiritual health for all staff

Responsibilities of a Director of Development:

The Director of Development will (list not all inclusive):

• Partner with the CEO to build and sustain a culture of generosity rooted in Biblical values across IFI
• Lead the development of IFI's annual fundraising strategy, including major gifts, planned giving, foundations, and institutional grants
• Build and personally manage a portfolio of major donors, helping people progress through the giving continuum from one time to recurring to major and planned giving
• Meet face-to-face regularly with donors and prospective donors; develop individualized stewardship plans for IFI's highest capacity relationships
• Lead IFI's foundation and institutional funder relationships, including grant strategy and proposal development
• Partner with IFI Location Leaders to identify and cultivate donors beyond Columbus, expanding IFI's funding base nationally
• Supervise the Development Operations Specialist and existing development staff to ensure team effectiveness and accountability
• Collaborate with the communications team on donor-facing materials, impact stories, and campaign messaging
• Represent IFI at conferences, donor events, and ministry partner gatherings

Qualifications needed of a Director of Development, including Spiritual Characteristics:

• Godly character, meeting the leadership requirements defined in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1
• Personal commitment to IFI's statement of faith, core values, and policies, as well as ECFA Standards practiced by IFI
• Person of prayer and spiritual maturity with a genuine passion for IFI's mission to international students
• 5 to 8+ years of nonprofit development experience with a demonstrated major gift track record
• Experience closing five-figure (and ideally six-figure) gifts; foundation relationship experience a strong plus
• Self-starter who can work independently and lead a small team
• Strong relational instincts and communication skills; comfortable cultivating and asking across a range of donor personalities
• Exhibits a positive, professional manner and enjoys helping others succeed
• Proficient with technology, including CRM platforms, and Google applications

International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) is a faith-based organization. Therefore, only those willing to adhere to IFI's statement of faith, core values, and policies will be reviewed for this open position. International Friendships, Inc. is otherwise an equal opportunity employer.