Development Manager

Overview Straydog, Inc. is seeking a relationship-driven and highly motivated Development Manager to help grow and strengthen the organization’s fundraising program. This full-time, contracted position will play a key role in expanding Straydog’s community of supporters through individual donor engagement, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, fundraising events, and community outreach. The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys building relationships, identifying new opportunities, and turning connections into long-term support for Straydog’s mission. The Development Manager will work collaboratively with organizational leadership while independently managing assigned fundraising and engagement initiatives. Key Responsibilities Individual Donor Development & Stewardship Develop and maintain relationships with individual donors and prospective supporters. Grow Straydog’s individual donor base, with an emphasis on acquiring new donors and increasing engagement among existing supporters. Create meaningful donor touchpoints throughout the year through personal outreach, updates, acknowledgments, and stewardship. Develop giving pathways for one-time donors, recurring donors, major donors, and legacy supporters. Identify donors with the potential for increased engagement and giving. Build donor cultivation strategies designed to improve retention and strengthen long-term relationships. Participate in donor meetings, shelter tours, and cultivation opportunities as appropriate. Work with organizational leadership to identify and cultivate prospective major donors. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships Identify, cultivate, and secure prospective corporate partners and sponsors. Conduct proactive outreach to companies that align with Straydog’s mission and community presence. Build and maintain relationships with corporate representatives and community partners. Secure corporate sponsorships for fundraising events, programs, and organizational initiatives. Develop and refine sponsorship packages, proposals, and partnership opportunities. Manage sponsor relationships from initial outreach through fulfillment and stewardship. Identify opportunities to grow corporate partnerships beyond one-time event sponsorships into long-term organizational relationships. Explore opportunities for corporate giving, employee engagement, matching gifts, volunteerism, and other partnership opportunities. Fundraising Events Lead the coordination and execution of Straydog fundraising events, including the organization’s annual Gala and other special events. Manage event timelines, vendors, sponsorship fulfillment, logistics, and planning needs. Work with organizational leadership, volunteers, and event partners to ensure successful event execution. Support guest engagement, sponsorship development, and post-event stewardship. Identify opportunities to increase event participation, sponsorship revenue, and overall fundraising results. Ensure sponsors and key donors receive a strong experience before, during, and following fundraising events. Community Outreach & Relationship Building Represent Straydog at community events, networking opportunities, partner meetings, and other external engagements as appropriate. Develop relationships with community leaders, businesses, donors, volunteers, and prospective supporters. Identify opportunities for Straydog to increase awareness and build relationships throughout the community. Develop new community partnerships that can lead to financial support, sponsorships, volunteer engagement, or increased visibility. Build a strong network of community and business contacts who can help expand Straydog’s reach. Serve as a knowledgeable and enthusiastic ambassador for Straydog and its mission. Qualifications & Skills Experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, donor relations, corporate partnerships, sales, community engagement, or a related field preferred. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships. Comfortable conducting proactive outreach to prospective donors, sponsors, businesses, and community partners. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Ability to independently move projects and relationships forward while collaborating effectively with others. Comfortable representing Straydog in donor meetings, community events, networking opportunities, and corporate meetings. Experience with donor databases or CRM systems, including Network for Good or similar platforms, is a plus. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and common digital communication tools. Self-motivated, proactive, resourceful, and comfortable taking initiative. Passion for animal welfare and alignment with Straydog’s mission. Work Schedule This is a full-time position. The Development Manager will generally work a standard weekday schedule, with flexibility required based on donor meetings, community engagement opportunities, and fundraising events. Some evening and weekend availability will be required for events and other development activities. Flexibility in scheduling may be available based on organizational needs and responsibilities. Compensation Starting salary: $50,000 annually, with final compensation dependent upon experience and qualifications. Additional employment details and benefits will be discussed during the interview process. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Straydog is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for our team and community. We are proud to be an equal opportunity organization and welcome individuals of all backgrounds to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr