Development Director

Job Description

Job Description

The Organization:

At Thrive Colorado, we are passionate about one thing— jobs that change lives . We train and coach job seekers to overcome barriers, secure meaningful employment, and achieve lasting economic stability. Our employment support fosters transformation through relational support, healthy challenge and accountability to act. Our program is a five-week intensive model to serve marginalized populations in crisis needing the stability of work.  Our program is all online with expert, volunteer coaches to allow for faster support not requiring proximity, childcare or transportation.  We believe everyone’s gifts are needed in the world and thus mobilize members with strengths-based empowerment. Work restores dignity, rebuilds hope and helps individuals thrive.  

Thrive is currently experiencing unprecedented momentum: this past June, twice as many participants secured jobs as in any previous month in our history. Having recently executed our first major fundraiser and revamped our development infrastructure, Thrive is primed for significant growth to empower even more job seekers across the Front Range.

Motivated by our faith, we are a continually improving, respectfully honest, continually curious, and generous team. These values guide every decision, interaction, and partnership as we serve our community to further the common good.

The Position:

Expanding our financial partnership network is critical to sustaining and scaling our mission. The Development Director is a key leadership role responsible for shaping, strengthening, and executing Thrive’s fundraising, grant strategy, and donor stewardship efforts.

The Director will be both a strategic, motivating communicator and an outgoing relationship-builder—able to leverage a deep Denver network and sit comfortably with diverse foundations, banks and church leaders to invite them into our work. This is a role for a mature believer who deeply understands our theology of work, networks continually, is highly organized and detail-oriented, and excels at taking fundraising initiatives from initial vision all the way to completion.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Fundraising & Donor Relations

• Design, implement, and lead comprehensive annual development plans to diversify and grow Thrive’s donor base.
• Leverage a strong, established Denver network to identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with major donors and philanthropic leaders. Network should extend to 250+ people who could contribute to the mission. 
• Speak compellingly about Thrive’s mission and theology of work, making direct financial asks with confidence and clarity to CEOs, foundations and leaders across Colorado.
• Build on recent momentum (including our inaugural fundraiser) to drive engaging donor communication, retention and fundraising initiatives.

Grant Strategy & Pipeline Management

• Lead end-to-end grant writing, submission, and reporting strategies to maintain and expand our current baseline of $180,000 in annual grant funding.
• Research, identify, and cultivate new foundation and corporate relationships for new grant opportunities aligned with our mission.
• Oversee a direct report, the grant editor to ensure high caliber proposals within funding cycle timelines.

Systems & Operations

• Oversee the complete donor lifecycle, keeping pipeline records organized and up-to-date using Salesforce. 
• Grant cycle, financial records for proposals and contact documentation using Salesforce. 
• Develop revenue forecasts and track key development metrics to report regularly to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

Qualifications:

• Since Thrive is a Christian faith-based organization, qualified candidates agree with the mission and values of Thrive and reflect these values in their life. Must bring a mature faith, high emotional intelligence and understanding of the theology of work.
• Deeply networked across the Front Range, with comfort and experience engaging high-net-worth individuals and community leaders.
• Relevant background in areas including traditional non-profit development, pastoral leadership, sales, marketing, or finance.
• Outgoing, energetic, and highly relational—a persuasive communicator who effortlessly builds rapport, thinks strategically, and drives initiatives forward with confidence and enthusiasm.
• A self-starter with the discipline to begin, manage, and complete complex development processes with high attention to detail.
• Proficient with Salesforce, Zoom, Calendly, and standard digital tools.
• Demonstrated competence in networking, strategic planning, and pipeline management.

Salary & Benefits:

• $65,000–$70,000 based on experience with performance incentives (up to $85,000)
• Full-time (32–38 hours/week), exempt
• Hybrid, flexible
• 401(k) with up to 5% employer match
• Medical and Dental insurance (only for individual)
• Long-term disability insurance
• PTO
• Reports to the Executive Director

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