Director of Development

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Development leads fundraising for the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the Board of Directors and volunteer leadership, this position owns the DSG’s Annual Fund Development Plan and is accountable for the revenue that sustains the organization’s programs. This is a relationship-driven role. The Director of Development builds and manages a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors; personally solicits gifts and sponsorships; and equips the Executive Director, Board Members, and volunteer chairs to make asks of their own networks. The position also leads the DSG’s signature fundraising events, holding accountability for both their execution and the dollars they raise. The ideal candidate is comfortable asking for money, organized enough to run several revenue streams at once, and motivated by a mission that values diversity, inclusion, and high expectations for all individuals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fund Development Strategy and Major Gifts Develop, implement, and maintain the DSG’s Annual Fund Development Plan, including revenue goals and strategies by stream: individual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, grants, and events. Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, moving them through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Personally solicit gifts, sponsorships, and underwriting commitments. Prepare and staff the Executive Director, Board Members, and volunteer chairs for their own solicitations: briefing materials, prospect research, and follow-up. Grow corporate partnerships, including event sponsorship, employee matching gift programs, and workplace giving. Analyze performance against goals and report regularly to the Executive Director, Fund Development Committee, and Board of Directors. Develop and manage the annual fundraising budget in coordination with the Executive Director and Board. Grants Execute a grant strategy aligned with the annual revenue budget: researching prospects, writing proposals, reporting on impact, and stewarding funders throughout the grant life cycle. Work with program staff to gather outcomes data and program feedback that strengthens proposals and donor communications. Annual Giving and Donor Retention Manage annual giving campaigns, e.g. North Texas Giving Day, Giving Tuesday, annual appeals, year-end giving, etc. Build and execute a donor retention and upgrade strategy, including timely acknowledgment, stewardship touchpoints, and renewal. Cultivate relationships with current and prospective donors, including member families, extended families, non-family donors, foundations, and corporate partners. Fundraising Events Serve as staff lead for DSG’s fundraising events, including the Buddy Walk and The Extra Ordinary Ball, with accountability for sponsorship revenue, donor cultivation, and the overall fundraising result. Manage event planning and execution: including date and venue, registration, vendors and entertainment, auction and in-kind donations, marketing materials and communication plan, event logistics and budget, and on-site leadership. Depending on the scale of the event and the needs of the organization, this work may be carried out directly or in coordination with contracted support. Partner with volunteer chairs and committees (e.g. event, underwriting, auction, etc.): setting goals, building prospect lists, preparing materials, and supporting their solicitations. Serve as liaison for third-party fundraising events and community give-back opportunities, and seek out new ones. Committee and Volunteer Partnership Staff DSG’s fund development and event committees, providing strategic input, prospect research, materials, and follow-through between meetings. Collaborate with the Program Manager to recruit, train, and manage volunteers for fundraising events and campaigns. Marketing and Communications Collaborate with staff on donor-facing communications, including sponsorship packets, appeal materials, social media, e-newsletter content, and website updates. Represent DSG at community and networking events, and build relationships with peer organizations in the Down syndrome and IDD community. Work with the Executive Director to produce the Annual Impact Report. Data and Records Maintain accurate and confidential donor records in Bloomerang, and ensure gifts are acknowledged promptly. Use donor data to segment audiences, target solicitations, and measure results.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS

A written Annual Fund Development Plan adopted by the Board and in active use. A qualified major gift portfolio built, with documented cultivation activity and closed gifts. Sponsorship and underwriting goals met for the Buddy Walk and The Extra Ordinary Ball. Measurable growth in donor retention and in revenue from sources other than events. Event systems, vendor relationships, and documentation established so DSG can produce its signature events with increasing internal capacity over time.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

The Director of Development reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Board of Directors, fund development and event committees, and volunteer event leadership.

SALARY, BENEFITS, AND HOURS

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position with an annual salary of $80,000 and the potential to earn performance-based bonuses. The Director of Development must be able to work a flexible schedule, including some nights and weekends as needed for programs, events, and committee meetings. In-person office hours are required, with occasional opportunity for remote work and comp time based on the events calendar. health and dental insurance retirement contribution plans paid holidays paid time off The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, or other categories protected by law.

ABOUT THE DSG

The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas (DSG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to engage all members of the Down syndrome community—children and adults, parents, and friends—to advocate, educate, and enable the fullest lives possible. The vision of the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas is to be a comprehensive resource on Down syndrome in the Dallas metroplex and its surrounding areas. We envision a community where every person with Down syndrome is valued and included. For more information about the DSG, visit View full job description at

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Bachelor’s degree and five or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Direct experience in at least two of the following: major gifts, corporate sponsorship, grant writing, or annual giving. Comfort and confidence making direct asks of individuals and corporate partners. Excellent knowledge of diverse funding sources. Strong time-management, oral and written communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with proven attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to manage projects with multiple stakeholders and to prioritize work both independently and in a team environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Experience with Bloomerang or a comparable donor CRM, and with an email marketing platform such as Constant Contact, is strongly preferred. Working knowledge of social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn). Basic graphic design skills, with experience in Canva, a plus. Passion for supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. CFRE a plus. #J-18808-Ljbffr Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas