Director, Fund Development

At Working Wardrobes, we help people overcome barriers to gainful employment.

Working Wardrobes is an established nonprofit known throughout Southern CA as the premier provider of workforce readiness services. Niche services include individualized employment plans, career development, workshops, and professional wardrobe.

Imagine yourself having a direct, positive impact on the lives of people in our community as they overcome extraordinary barriers so they can achieve a meaningful and productive livelihood.

Position Overview

At Working Wardrobes , we help individuals overcome barriers to gainful employment. As the Director, Fund Development, you will play a key role in leading all fundraising, marketing, branding, and development initiatives for the organization. This position is responsible for driving comprehensive revenue generation strategies, strengthening donor engagement, and ensuring consistent mission‑aligned messaging across all external communications. You will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer, as well as the Chief Executive Officer, Grant Writer, Director of Client Services, board members, and community partners to ensure effective execution of fundraising strategies and alignment with organizational revenue and impact goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies that expand and diversify revenue streams across individual, corporate, foundation, and community giving.
• Steward existing grants and collaborate with the CEO, Grant Writer, and leadership team on renewals and new funding opportunities.
• Strengthen donor relationships through a structured, multi‑level stewardship program, including major donors, mid‑level donors, monthly givers, and lapsed donors.
• Increase participation and retention in monthly giving programs through targeted donor journeys and campaigns.
• Equip and engage board members, donors, and community advocates in peer‑to‑peer fundraising initiatives.
• Develop Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships that integrate volunteering, philanthropy, and mission storytelling.
• Create and expand naming rights sponsorship opportunities for programs, spaces, and organizational assets.
• Build and maintain cause‑marketing partnerships with local retailers, restaurants, and community businesses.
• Design and implement strategies to grow and steward legacy giving programs and long‑term donor engagement pipelines.

Marketing, Branding & Communications

• Lead organization‑wide marketing and branding strategy to ensure consistent, mission‑aligned messaging across all platforms.
• Develop integrated fundraising campaigns, appeals, and donor engagement communications that support revenue goals.
• Oversee content strategy and contribute to the monthly newsletter, highlighting donor impact and organizational success stories.
• Manage social media strategy, content calendars, and digital storytelling to enhance brand visibility and engagement.
• Develop donor‑facing materials including case statements, campaign collateral, event materials, and impact reports.
• Ensure brand consistency and alignment across all internal and external communications.

Events & Fundraising Strategy

• Provide strategic oversight for all signature fundraising events, ensuring alignment with revenue goals and donor engagement priorities.
• Define event concepts, themes, messaging, and overall donor experience strategy.
• Develop sponsorship structures, event fundraising opportunities, and revenue‑generating components.
• Guide event marketing plans, timelines, and promotional strategies to drive attendance and participation.
• Review and approve event run‑of‑show, scripts, and program elements to ensure mission alignment and donor impact.
• Evaluate event outcomes using financial data, engagement metrics, and donor feedback to refine future strategy.
• Ensure strong post‑event stewardship, including acknowledgments, follow‑up communications, and donor retention efforts.
• Serve as the organization’s lead fundraising strategist, aligning development, marketing, and branding efforts with organizational goals.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership, program staff, and board members to advance revenue and mission priorities.
• Support volunteer committees and donor networks in executing fundraising and engagement initiatives.
• Continuously assess and refine fundraising strategies based on performance data and industry best practices.
• Ensure all development efforts reflect Working Wardrobes’ mission, values, and long‑term sustainability goals.

Skills & Qualifications

• 5+ years of development, fundraising, or nonprofit advancement experience (or equivalent degree and experience).
• 3+ years of fundraising experience, including campaign and event coordination.
• Experience managing budgets and meeting revenue targets.
• Proficiency with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, DonorPerfect).
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Reliable transportation for off‑site meetings and events.

Desired Attributes

• High emotional intelligence with strong relationship‑building skills across diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with ability to balance long‑term planning and short‑term execution.
• Strong leadership presence with ability to inspire donors, staff, and volunteers.
• Creative and innovative mindset with a focus on revenue growth and storytelling.
• Highly adaptable and effective in a fast‑paced nonprofit environment.
• Strong integrity and commitment to ethical nonprofit fundraising practices.
• Collaborative and team‑oriented approach to cross‑functional work.
• Passion for mission‑driven storytelling and community impact.

• Benefits: Full‑time position with eligibility for medical, dental, and vision coverage (up to 80% on a base plan), paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, life insurance, and supplemental benefits.

Working Conditions

• Office‑based with frequent off‑site meetings and event involvement.
• Requires local travel up to 20% by car.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required for events and donor engagement.
• May involve extended periods of sitting, standing, or active event participation.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer , Working Wardrobes does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, citizenship, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or because of any other status or condition protected by applicable federal,stateor local law.

The pay range for this role is:

90,000 - 100,000 USD per year (Santa Ana, CA)