Director of Development

About Help For Children

Help For Children (HFC) is an international nonprofit founded by the alternative investment community, with a singular mission: to fight child abuse. Operating across the US, Canada, the UK, Asia, and the Cayman Islands, HFC raises funds through a passionate volunteer and donor network and deploys them to frontline organizations combating child abuse and neglect.

Today, HFC is at an inflection point—having built a strong event-driven fundraising base, the organization is now investing in the infrastructure and leadership needed to diversify revenue, deepen donor relationships, and grow annual fundraising to $10M within the next 3-5 years. This is a rare opportunity to shape that trajectory from the ground up.

Role Description

The Director of Development reports directly to the CEO and serves as the architect of HFC’s next era of growth. This is a high-impact leadership role with a clear mandate: to build a diversified, data-driven fundraising operation that moves HFC beyond its event-driven roots towards a more sustainable, scalable revenue. The Director will partner closely with the Development Committee of the HFC Global Board and the Director of Events to ensure a unified approach to donor engagement, brand visibility, and revenue generation—driving HFC toward its goal of $10M in annual fundraising within the next 3-5 years.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Growth and Vision

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of HFC's current fundraising to identify and address barriers to growth and inform a data-driven path forward.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual and long-term fundraising plan, detailing measurable goals for all fundraising channels.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure major gifts and grants from individuals, foundations, and corporate sources to support organizational growth and new initiatives.
• Establish and manage a robust pipeline of high-net-worth prospects through thorough research and discovery to inform outreach and cultivation strategies.
• Lead and manage all fundraising campaigns (such as Annual Appeal, Board Gifts, Giving Tuesday), from concept through execution and post-campaign evaluation.
• Analyze and forecast revenue streams, using data-driven insights to diversify and expand HFC's financial foundation.
• Develop and implement new planned giving programs to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization.
• Actively monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as donor acquisition and retention rates, average gift size, and campaign ROI to guide strategic adjustments.
• Represent HFC at community events, professional forums, and industry conferences as a primary organizational ambassador.
• Create and deliver compelling presentations and proposals to secure financial support and articulate HFC's impact.

Donor Stewardship and Community Engagement

• Develop and regularly update donor segmentation documents to understand our donors and inform tailored stewardship and engagement strategies.
• Design and execute a comprehensive donor stewardship and recognition program for all donors to receive timely, personalized, and meaningful acknowledgement.
• Oversee the creation of tailored communication plans for different donor segments, including personalized impact reports, exclusive updates, and invitations to events.
• Cultivate and deepen relationships with a portfolio of top-tier donors, moving them along a continuum of engagement and increasing their lifetime value to HFC.
• In partnership with the Director of Events, create and manage a strategic calendar of donor engagement events that connect supporters directly to HFC’s mission.
• In partnership with the team, gather compelling stories and data that effectively demonstrate the impact of donor investments.
• Monitor donor retention rates and engagement metrics to continually refine and improve stewardship strategies.

Gift Planning and Philanthropic Advising

• Bring deep expertise across a broad range of giving vehicles—including planned gifts, asset-based donations, DAFs, and in-kind contributions—and serve as a trusted resource for donors and their advisors navigating complex charitable decisions.
• Create clear, accessible materials that explain giving options and their benefits, ensuring donors feel informed and confident.
• Strategically incorporate diverse giving options into all fundraising campaigns and donor communications.
• Participate in establishing and growing an endowment fund to ensure long-term mission support.

Database Management

• Establish and own HFC’s data infrastructure, ensuring CRM integrity and leveraging analytics to surface actionable insights that drive strategy.
• Track and report KPIs including donor retention, lifetime value, and campaign ROI.
• Utilize data analytics to identify trends, segment the donor base, and forecast revenue.
• Implement and manage fundraising software to streamline operations and improve donor experience.
• Generate comprehensive reports on fundraising progress and donor analytics for the CEO, Global Board, Development Committee, and key stakeholders.

Collaborative Leadership

• Partner with the CEO to align fundraising strategies with HFC’s overarching vision and financial needs.
• Empower and assist HFC Development Committee with resources and strategic guidance to effectively leverage their networks for fundraising.
• Work closely with HFC’s Board of Directors and empowering them to actively participate in donor cultivation and stewardship efforts.
• Ensure a unified and coordinated approach to revenue generation and communication among all HFC’s departments.
• Mentor and manage the development team, fostering a culture of professional growth, accountability, and collaboration.

Professional Development and Industry Expertise

• Independently research and stay current on the latest fundraising trends, best practices, and new technologies in the nonprofit sector.
• Serve as an internal resource for HFC’s team and leadership, ensuring strategies remain innovative and effective.
• Monitor the Alternative Investment Industry and philanthropic landscape to anticipate challenges and identify new opportunities.

Reporting and Performance

• Own quarterly and annual reporting to the CEO, Development Committee and Global Board, translating fundraising performance data into clear narratives that inform strategy and budget planning. (See Deliverables for full reporting specifications.)

Deliverables

Annual

• Fundraising Plan & Strategy Document: A finalized, written plan including a campaign calendar, major gift strategies, and a timeline with clearly defined responsibilities.
• Data and Systems Audit Report: Findings from a comprehensive analysis of current fundraising efforts, including barriers to growth, proposed solutions, and optimization plans.
• Donor Impact Report: A compelling annual report showcasing the impact of donor contributions through storytelling, data, and mission-driven narrative.
• Ambassadorship & Engagement Schedule: A schedule of events, forums, and conferences where the Director will represent HFC.
• Professional Development Log: A record of completed training, conferences attended, and trends researched and shared with the team.

Quarterly

• Internal progress reports covering:

o Total Funds Raised: The specific dollar amount of donations secured, each broken down by source (individual, foundation, corporate, etc.).

o Donor Acquisition: The number of new donors acquired along with their average gift size.

o Donor Retention: The percentage of existing donors who renewed their support from the previous year, broken down by donor segments.

o Prospect Pipeline Growth: The number of new qualified prospects added to the pipeline and the total value of prospects in each stage of cultivation.

o Major Gift Proposals: The number of major gift proposals submitted each quarter, along with their total projected value.

o Planned Giving: The number of confirmed planned gifts and inquiries received.

o Campaign Progress: Progress of any active fundraising campaigns against their goals.

o Board & Committee Engagement: The level of engagement and fundraising activity of the Global Board and Development Committee.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising at a director level, with proven success in major gifts, corporate partnerships, and fundraising campaigns with a track record of soliciting and closing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Demonstrate experience in developing and executing data-driven, multi-year fundraising strategies that lead to significant and sustainable revenue growth.
• Strong existing network and ability to cultivate relationships within financial services and the Alternative Investment industry.
• Experience in managing and mentoring a team, as well as working effectively with and activating a Board of Directors and volunteer committees.
• Extensive experience in all phases of the donor pipeline, from prospecting and cultivation to solicitation and stewardship, particularly with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Deep expertise in planned giving, donor-advised funds, and asset-based gifts.
• Strong financial forecasting, budget management, and KPI analysis skills.
• Proficiency with donor CRMs and fundraising software; comfort using data analytics to inform strategy and reporting.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills; confident representing the organization in high-level settings.
• Forward-thinking, results-driven, and innovative mindset; able to thrive in a lean, mission-driven environment.
• A collaborative, high-integrity professional who operates with trust and transparency.
• A commitment to the mission of HFC, with a clear passion for its work to serve children and families. The ideal candidate is a mission-oriented professional who actively seeks to deepen their knowledge of child abuse prevention and treatment. They understand how to leverage fundraising as a critical component of the organization's advocacy efforts.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $150,000 – $160,000, commensurate with experience
• Flexible hybrid work schedule with in-person donor meetings and events as required
• Health, dental, and vision insurance is 100% covered by HFC
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution