Director of Development

Job Type


Full-time, Part-time

Description

Make a Living by Making a Difference.

Are you a passionate fundraising professional who believes meaningful relationships, innovative ideas, and community generosity can transform lives? Dayspring Homes, Inc. is seeking an experienced, creative, proactive, and relationship-driven Director of Development to help advance our mission, strengthen community partnerships, and build a sustainable future for the individuals we serve. At Dayspring, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a meaningful, fulfilling life. Through our residential programs, day services, Lifesharing, and respite services, we support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout Berks County, Pennsylvania.

We're looking for someone who can turn relationships into lasting partnerships, ideas into successful fundraising initiatives, and everyday experiences into compelling stories that inspire others to connect with our mission.

If you're an experienced development professional who thrives on building relationships, brings fresh ideas to the table, and wants your work to make a genuine difference, we'd love to hear from you!

About the Opportunity

As our Director of Development, you'll play a key leadership role in advancing Dayspring's fundraising, donor engagement, grant acquisition, marketing, communications, and community outreach initiatives. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you'll collaborate closely with organizational leadership to identify funding priorities, develop innovative fundraising strategies, and cultivate meaningful relationships with individuals, foundations, businesses, and community partners. This position is being offered on a part-time basis, with the potential for full-time employment based on organizational needs and mutual agreement.

The role offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining independent work with in-person collaboration, program engagement, donor meetings, community outreach, and special events.

A Hands-On, Mission-Driven Leadership Role

At Dayspring, we believe successful development begins with truly understanding the people, programs, and mission behind the organization. We're looking for a Director who is just as comfortable engaging with employees and visiting our programs as they are meeting with donors, preparing grant proposals, or developing fundraising strategies. This is not a position focused exclusively on fundraising from behind a desk. Our ideal candidate will take an active interest in Dayspring's day-to-day operations, regularly engage with our programs, build relationships across departments, and independently seek opportunities to understand where philanthropic support can make the greatest difference. We value leaders who take initiative, ask thoughtful questions, follow through, and actively participate in the organization rather than waiting for information or opportunities to come to them. The right person will bring together strategic thinking, authentic relationship-building, creativity, independent judgment, and a willingness to roll up their sleeves to help advance our mission. We're seeking someone who wants to be an engaged member of our leadership team and understands that meaningful fundraising begins with meaningful connections.

What You'll Do

Fundraising & Strategic Development

• Develop, implement, and continually evaluate comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with Dayspring's mission, organizational goals, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Identify opportunities to expand philanthropic support through individual giving, grants, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, and community partnerships.
• Independently research prospective donors, foundations, corporations, and funding opportunities.
• Cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships with existing and prospective donors, recognizing the importance of consistent communication, stewardship, and relationship-building.
• Research grant opportunities, develop compelling proposals and applications, and oversee compliance with grant guidelines, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
• Proactively develop new fundraising initiatives and creative approaches to strengthen philanthropic support.
• Track fundraising outcomes, evaluate performance, and recommend opportunities for improvement and growth.

Donor Relations & Community Engagement

• Serve as a primary liaison between Dayspring and donors, foundations, businesses, community organizations, government funders, and other philanthropic partners.
• Build and maintain genuine relationships that strengthen donor confidence, engagement, and long-term support.
• Develop thoughtful donor stewardship and recognition initiatives that demonstrate the meaningful impact of contributions.
• Represent Dayspring professionally at community events, networking opportunities, donor meetings, and fundraising activities.
• Independently identify opportunities to increase Dayspring's visibility, strengthen community partnerships, and expand philanthropic engagement.
• Communicate Dayspring's mission, organizational needs, and accomplishments with authenticity, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

Marketing, Communications & Mission-Driven Storytelling

• Develop thoughtful, engaging, and professionally written content that communicates Dayspring's mission, values, programs, accomplishments, and community impact.
• Create compelling social media posts, donor communications, newsletters, fundraising appeals, and promotional materials that go beyond simply reporting activities to explain their significance and connection to our mission.
• Transform everyday program experiences, organizational achievements, and individual success stories into meaningful narratives that inspire community awareness, engagement, and philanthropic support.
• Demonstrate exceptional storytelling abilities, including engaging introductions, cohesive narratives, authentic emotional connections, and effective calls to action when appropriate.
• Maintain a consistent, professional, and recognizable organizational voice across all communication channels.
• Proactively identify meaningful stories, program accomplishments, and opportunities to highlight the work taking place throughout Dayspring.
• Develop and execute creative digital communication strategies that strengthen Dayspring's visibility, community relationships, and donor engagement.
• Independently research, write, edit, and proofread content to ensure professional quality, accuracy, originality, and alignment with Dayspring's mission.
• Ensure published materials are respectful, person-centered, accurate, and compliant with organizational confidentiality, privacy, and media consent requirements.
• Coordinate Dayspring's twice-yearly newsletter, incorporating organizational achievements, program updates, donor recognition, leadership developments, and meaningful stories of impact.

Fundraising Events & Campaigns

• Plan, coordinate, promote, and evaluate fundraising events and campaigns, including Dayspring's annual Stake in the Future event and seasonal giving initiatives.
• Develop creative strategies to increase event participation, sponsorships, donations, and community engagement.
• Coordinate event planning, communications, donor recognition, and follow-up activities.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership and community partners to identify and implement new fundraising opportunities.
• Ensure events and campaigns reflect Dayspring's mission, values, and organizational priorities.

Program Engagement & Proactive Leadership

• Maintain an active presence across Dayspring's residential, day, Lifesharing, and respite programs to develop a firsthand understanding of services, organizational needs, accomplishments, and opportunities.
• Proactively engage with Program Managers, Supervisors, direct care employees, and other team members to identify funding needs, program initiatives, and meaningful stories of impact.
• Independently identify opportunities for fundraising, grants, donor engagement, and community partnerships rather than relying exclusively on requests or information provided by others.
• Develop a strong working knowledge of Dayspring's operations, services, and the individuals we support to communicate our mission authentically and accurately.
• Participate actively in leadership discussions, organizational initiatives, and collaborative problem-solving efforts.
• Demonstrate ownership, initiative, accountability, and consistent follow-through in advancing development priorities.
• Build effective working relationships across departments while remaining mindful of operational demands and minimizing unnecessary administrative burdens on program staff.

Leadership & Organizational Collaboration

• Work directly with the CEO, Finance Director, and other members of the leadership team to identify fundraising priorities, organizational needs, and strategic opportunities.
• Translate firsthand program knowledge, organizational accomplishments, and funding priorities into persuasive fundraising proposals and donor communications.
• Develop strategies that support both immediate funding opportunities and long-term organizational growth.
• Monitor fundraising performance, maintain accurate development records, and provide meaningful updates to the CEO and Board of Directors.
• Exercise sound professional judgment, manage competing priorities, and independently move projects forward.
• Contribute innovative ideas, constructive solutions, and strategic recommendations to advance Dayspring's mission and financial sustainability.

Why Join Dayspring Homes?

Meaningful Work: Your efforts will help support programs, experiences, and opportunities that directly impact the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Leadership & Influence: Work directly with our CEO and organizational leadership, contributing ideas, strategies, and initiatives that help shape Dayspring's future.

Creativity & Professional Independence: Bring your own ideas, experience, and innovative approaches to fundraising, donor engagement, storytelling, and community development.

A Hands-On Connection to the Mission: Experience the meaningful work happening throughout our programs, connect with the people behind our services, and help communicate the impact of Dayspring's mission firsthand.

Professional Variety: Enjoy a dynamic role combining strategic planning, relationship-building, grant writing, events, marketing, storytelling, and community engagement.

Hybrid Flexibility: Benefit from a work arrangement that combines independent work with meaningful in-person collaboration, program involvement, and community engagement.

Opportunity for Growth: This position offers the potential to transition from part-time to full-time employment as organizational needs evolve and based on mutual agreement.

Employment is subject to applicable background screening, driving eligibility, and organizational requirements.

Dayspring Homes, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful workplace. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants and employees in accordance with applicable law.


If you're a motivated, hands-on development professional who believes in the power of philanthropy, authentic storytelling, community relationships, and mission-driven work, we encourage you to apply. Join Dayspring Homes and help us turn generosity into opportunity, strengthen community partnerships, and build a brighter future for the individuals we serve.

Pay: From $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 - 40.0 per week

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, or a closely related field.
• Strong relationship-building, networking, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, including experience developing fundraising proposals, donor communications, newsletters, presentations, and other professional materials.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and sound professional judgment.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with organizational leadership and program teams.
• Proficiency with digital communications, social media platforms, development-related technology, and standard office applications.
• Commitment to ethical fundraising practices, confidentiality, professionalism, and Dayspring's mission.

Exceptional Writing, Storytelling & Communication Skills

• Demonstrated ability to create engaging, original, polished, and emotionally resonant written content for diverse audiences.
• Strong command of grammar, sentence structure, editing, proofreading, and professional written communication.
• Ability to develop compelling introductions, cohesive narratives, and meaningful messages that capture audience attention and encourage continued engagement.
• Proven ability to connect everyday activities, program accomplishments, and organizational initiatives to broader mission-driven outcomes.
• Ability to adapt writing style, tone, length, and messaging appropriately for social media, donor communications, newsletters, grant proposals, and fundraising campaigns.
• Sound editorial judgment, including recognizing when concise messaging is appropriate and when a more developed narrative will better communicate impact.

Independent Thinking, Initiative & Professional Judgment

• Exceptional original writing and communication skills, with the ability to independently develop compelling grant proposals, donor appeals, fundraising campaigns, and organizational communications.
• Strong critical thinking, creativity, and professional judgment, including the ability to independently research, evaluate, and develop ideas.
• Ability to translate firsthand program knowledge, organizational priorities, and measurable outcomes into authentic, persuasive fundraising narratives.
• Demonstrated initiative and resourcefulness in gathering information, solving problems, and moving projects forward without excessive direction or reliance on others.
• Proficiency in using technology and modern productivity tools responsibly and effectively while maintaining accuracy, originality, confidentiality, and professional accountability.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and willingness to take ownership of responsibilities from concept through completion.

Highly Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit human services, particularly organizations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Demonstrated success securing grants, major gifts, or corporate sponsorships.
• Experience cultivating long-term donor relationships and developing sustainable fundraising programs.
• Familiarity with Pennsylvania foundations, funding opportunities, and nonprofit networks.
• Experience using donor management or CRM software, such as Bloomerang, Raiser's Edge, or comparable systems.
• Experience with planned giving, major gifts, or endowment development.
• Public speaking, community presentations, and donor engagement experience.
• Experience with fundraising event planning, marketing, newsletters, and community outreach.
• Basic graphic design skills and experience creating visually engaging digital communications and promotional materials.

Salary Description


$30