Director of Development

LOCATION : Hybrid* On-site at least 2 days/week, Washington, DC Metro Area

About Wendt Center for Loss & Healing

Since 1975, the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, has helped people in the Washington metropolitan area rebuild a sense of safety and hope after experiencing the death of a loved one, life-threatening illness, violence, or other trauma.

• We believe that healing from life’s worst moments is possible.
• We express kindness to all. Caring and compassion are at the heart of all we do.
• We practice collaboration and teamwork, recognizing that none of us can do it alone.
• We strive to be lifelong learners and actively seek opportunities to expand our personal and professional knowledge

About the Position

The Wendt Center is seeking an experienced, proactive, people-centered Director of Development to lead its development strategy, cultivate donor engagement, and build strong systems for the effective operations of a dedicated Development team. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Development will work in partnership with the Executive Director to ensure the Wendt Center’s long-term financial sustainability and uphold its commitment to community.

Important to know:

The Wendt Center operates on an October 1 – September 30 fiscal year, with an annual budget of $6M. Our three primary revenue types are: government and foundation grants (accounting for approx. 60 - 70%); annual Benefit Gala ticket sales and donations (10 - 15%); and counseling fees (10 – 15%)

The Development Team of three includes: Manager, Institutional Giving, Development Operations Associate, and Volunteer Coordinator (PT). We feel confident in being able to maintain existing funding, with the goal of expanding our individual donor/major donor base and identifying new corporate and foundation partnership opportunities.

Primary Responsibilities:

Development Strategy, Planning & Execution

• Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, partnering with the Executive Director in developing a data-informed, pipeline-driven annual budget with revenue goals aligned with mission, organizational growth needs, and staff capacity.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director and Development team, create and implement a comprehensive development program and fundraising initiatives to proactively engage existing supporters and cultivate new funder prospects (with focus on corporate and partners and individual donors/major gifts) to meet $6 M revenue goal, with year over year growth.
• Work in close partnership with the Clinical Services team to understand program services and align with fundraising goals, activities, and communications.
• Work with finance to monitor budget, provide regular reporting on fundraising progress toward goals, and adjust fundraising plans and expectations as needed.
• Serve as the staff lead for the Development Committee of the Board of Directors, providing development presentations and reports to the Board, identify optimal opportunities to engage and support the Board in targeted fundraising initiatives.
• Serve as staff lead and visible relationship-builder for the Center’s annual Benefit/Gala, which provides an important opportunity for our community to come together, and supports general operating expenses. Maintain knowledge of current and emerging fundraising trends and sector best practices.
• Ensure Wendt’s fundraising efforts and operations work together to demonstrate our mission and clearly tell the story of our impact.

Development Operations

• Assess donor database for effectiveness; identify opportunities to best leverage existing fundraising software and tools.
• Create systems, processes, and structures that enable Development team members to effectively track, monitor, and grow funder portfolio and pipeline.
• Establish protocols and templates to support staff capacity and replicable /scalable fundraising activities.
• Establish policies and procedures to reinforce equitable and consistent fundraising practices.
• Ensure maintenance of clean donor data, donation receipts and acknowledgments, and grant management materials for strong record-keeping and support of the organization’s annual audit.

Team Management

• Represent the Wendt Center’s values of kindness, collaboration, and practice as a life-long learner.
• Build authentic relationships with others in an inclusive environment based on aligned values, mutual trust and respect.
• Actively lead and engage Development team by providing a clear vision, shared expectations, transparent communication, mentorship/coaching, culture building, and psychological safety.
• Regularly evaluate staff capacity; identify hiring and professional development needs.

Desired Qualifications:

• A deep commitment to Wendt Center’s mission
• 7+ years nonprofit development/fundraising experience; demonstrated success in individual/major gifts and corporate donor cultivation a plus
• 3+ years supervisory experience
• Strong management and leadership skills, both strategic and operational, with a results orientation and ability to foster inclusive environments across diverse communities, and motivate a team of staff, consultants, and volunteers
• Excellent relationship building skills, with comfort and interest in engaging with external stakeholders
• Excellent communications skills with an ability to effectively listen and influence.
• Proven ability to cultivate and steward charitable contributions and other funding at the $5,000+ and six-figure level
• A commitment to professional ethics in working with confidential, sensitive information
• Experience managing pipelines and donor management systems; experience with Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge a plus
• Experience with fundraising event management a plus