Director of Fund Development

The Director - Fund Development (DFD) is responsible for the general administration of philanthropic activities for the Sisters of Bon Secours’ ministries in the USA, enriching the mission and sustaining the future growth of the organization. This leadership role serves as a stimulus for shaping the vision, future direction, sustainability, and legacy of the Sisters of Bon Secours, USA. It requires a fundamental understanding of religious life and an alignment of personal values with the historic mission of the organization.

In this inaugural position, the DFD is the primary ombudsperson to a variety of community, governmental, educational, and private institutional stakeholders. The incumbent, as an individual contributor, takes direct responsibility for all aspects of fund development, including: grant writing and proposal submission; capital campaigns; major gifts; donor management systems, reporting, and analytics; legacy giving; relationships with individual and family contributors, non-profit organizations, alumni and current Bon Secours Health and Bon Secours Mercy employees, Friends of Bon Secours; religious and educational institutions.

This role reports to the Executive Director - Mission & Business Operations and supports the leadership team to collaboratively operate within a religious and an international governance structure identifying emerging community needs, ensuring accountability for financial outcomes, and energizing pathways for programmatic growth for its ministries, while always addressing the essential questions: What are the new needs? What are we called to address?

Key competencies for the role include: planning, developing, leading, and overseeing the planning and execution of fundraising activities and events according to best practices to ensure the success of each; managing a portfolio of donors, prospects, volunteers, and other stakeholders to encourage continued support and to achieve annual fundraising targets; creating marketing strategies for specific campaigns and/or fundraising events and overseeing their implementation.

Critical to success is a leader who thrives on developing relationships with charitable people, adept at researching and soliciting philanthropic organizations, and expert at identifying and closing sources for generous giving; and does so by connecting donors to the history and mission of the organization and its expanding ministry outreach to communities in need.

This position requires a strategic thinker with strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and the ability to manage complex demands with discretion and empathy. Strong organizational, collaborative, and communication skills are essential, as is sensitivity to cultural diversity, practices, and spiritual expressions in combination with achieving operational goals and performance targets. Candidates should demonstrate success in non-profit leadership, preferably within a faith-based or Catholic context, and possess knowledge of religious life; for example, a lived experience of the Mission and Charism of the Sisters of Bon Secours. The Bon Secours, USA leadership envisions this role to grow and expand in its outreach, influence, and impact over time.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in the areas of Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration or related field, with at least five years of direct experience in fund development and a track record of raising in excess of $1M annually. This role can be performed in a hybrid manner, with at least two days per week on site in Marriottsville, Maryland. Some business travel will be required.

Fundraising Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement annual fundraising plans and revenue goals.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations, with a benchmark of $1M in the first year.
• Manage campaigns such as annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and special appeals.
• Coordinate digital fundraising initiatives, including email appeals and social media campaigns.

Donor Relations & Stewardship

• Maintain a strong donor stewardship program to retain donors.
• Create and deliver donor communications, engage in timely and accurate gift acknowledgments, and produce impact reports.
• Organize donor appreciation events and engagement activities.
• Build long‑term relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, and estate. planners through regular outreach and personalized stewardship.

Grant Writing & Management

• Research grant opportunities aligned with the Sisters’ Mission Focus, Chapter Statement and strategic plan priorities.
• Prepare and submit grant proposals, letters of intent, and accompanying documentation.
• Track reporting deadlines and ensure timely submission of grant reports.
• Event Planning & Community EngagementPlan and execute fundraising events, including galas, auctions, and community programs.
• Engage volunteers, board members, and community partners in fundraising activities.
• Represent the organization at public events, meetings, and networking opportunities.
• Data, Reporting & CommunicationsMaintain donor records in the CRM/database system.
• Track fundraising performance and prepare regular progress reports.
• Ensure accuracy of gift processing and compliance with financial, ethical, tax, and regulatory standards.
• Maintain systems to track progress and regularly evaluate program components, to measure success that can be effectively communicated to the board, grantors, and other constituents.
• Provide communications, reports, and updates to stakeholders, (Board, community leaders, Sisters’ Assemblies).