Director of Development

Description Make a Lasting Difference for Families in Aiken County. Every child deserves the security of sleeping in their own bed. At Family Promise of Aiken County, we believe stable housing is the foundation for children and parents to thrive. We partner with families facing housing instability through individualized coaching, financial assistance, and community partnerships that empower them to achieve lasting independence. Behind every successful fundraising campaign is a family whose future has been changed. If you're looking for meaningful work where your efforts create measurable impact right here in Aiken County, we'd love to meet you. The Director of Development serves as the strategic and operational leader of Family Promise of Aiken County's fundraising and donor engagement efforts. This is a highly autonomous, self-directed position responsible for developing and executing fundraising strategies that grow and diversify revenue through individual giving, grants, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, community engagement, and special events. Because we are a small nonprofit, this role extends beyond traditional fundraising. Every member of our team wears multiple hats, contributes ideas, solves problems, and pitches in wherever needed. The successful candidate will enjoy building systems, identifying opportunities, and taking ownership of projects from concept through completion. This position is ideal for someone who thrives with significant independence, values flexibility, works efficiently, and is energized by building something that will strengthen families across our community. Key Responsibilities The responsibilities below reflect the overall scope of the position and should not be interpreted as recurring weekly tasks. Priorities and workload naturally ebb and flow throughout the year based on fundraising campaigns, grant deadlines, special events, and organizational needs. The Director of Development will receive active support from the Director of Programs, the Stewardship and Fund Development Committee, and engaged Board members. While the Director of Development provides leadership, strategy, and coordination, success is truly a shared effort. This role is about focusing time and energy where it will create the greatest impact, leveraging volunteers and Board members effectively, and building sustainable systems that strengthen our fundraising efforts over time. Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Development Lead the organization's comprehensive fundraising strategy in collaboration with leadership and the Stewardship and Fund Development Committee. Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan that diversifies revenue sources and supports organizational growth. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, civic organizations, churches, and community supporters. Research and pursue new grant and funding opportunities in partnership with the Director of Programs and Committee. Build long‑term donor relationships that increase engagement and philanthropic investment. Track fundraising performance and recommend adjustments based on measurable results. Collaborate on annual development budgeting and revenue forecasting. Evaluate fundraising activities to maximize return on investment and organizational impact. Donor Relations & Stewardship Ensure timely donor acknowledgments and meaningful stewardship. Maintain accurate donor records and reporting. Develop donor recognition strategies that strengthen long‑term relationships. Create compelling cases for support that clearly communicate Family Promise’s impact. Marketing & Community Engagement Serve as an ambassador for Family Promise throughout Aiken County. Build relationships with businesses, civic organizations, churches, foundations, elected officials, and community leaders. Coordinate fundraising campaigns and community engagement initiatives. Oversee newsletters, fundraising appeals, annual reports, donor communications, and impact stories. Support website content, email marketing, and social media efforts that strengthen visibility and donor engagement. Events & Partnerships Coordinate fundraising events from planning through execution. Recruit sponsors, volunteers, and community partners. Evaluate event effectiveness and recommend improvements that maximize fundraising success. Organizational Leadership Collaborate closely with the Director of Programs to ensure fundraising priorities align with organizational needs. Translate client outcomes into compelling stories that inspire donors and funders. Support the Stewardship and Fund Development Committee with planning, reporting, and implementation. Recommend new fundraising initiatives and strategic partnerships. Assist with organizational priorities outside traditional development responsibilities when needed, recognizing that every member of our team contributes wherever necessary to advance our mission. Reporting Relationships The Director of Development reports directly to the Director of Programs and maintains a dotted‑line reporting relationship with the Board‑led Stewardship and Fund Development Committee. This collaborative structure provides day‑to‑day operational leadership while ensuring strategic partnership and accountability with the Board in advancing the organization’s fundraising goals. Compensation & Schedule Up to $25 per hour. Approximately 15 hours per week on average. Hours are intentionally flexible and will fluctuate based on fundraising campaigns, grant deadlines, donor meetings, special events, and organizational priorities. Much of the work may be completed independently with a flexible schedule, while maintaining availability for meetings, events, donor visits, and community engagements as needed. Performance‑based bonuses are available throughout the year for achieving agreed‑upon fundraising goals, recognizing that exceptional fundraising directly expands our ability to serve more families. A Note About Flexibility: We recognize that experienced professionals often value flexibility, and so do we. This position offers considerable independence in how work is scheduled and accomplished. In return, we seek someone who exercises sound judgment, manages their time effectively, and consistently delivers high‑quality results. As a nonprofit, we have a responsibility to be excellent stewards of every donor dollar entrusted to us. We value employees who work efficiently, prioritize effectively, and take ownership of accomplishing meaningful work in the time appropriate for the task. Success in this role is measured by impact and outcomes, not by simply logging hours. Performance & Growth Opportunity Family Promise of Aiken County is committed to investing in employees who help grow our mission. In addition to hourly compensation, the Director of Development will be eligible for performance‑based bonuses tied to agreed‑upon fundraising goals and new revenue generated. Specific goals and incentive opportunities will be established in collaboration with the Director of Programs and the Board. As the organization continues to grow, this position has the potential to expand in both responsibility and hours based on organizational needs, fundraising success, and available resources. Qualifications Required: Minimum three years of nonprofit fundraising or development experience with demonstrated success. Proven ability to secure support through individual giving, grants, sponsorships, corporate partnerships, major gifts, or fundraising events. Outstanding written, verbal, and public speaking communication skills. Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills. Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Strong relationship‑building and networking abilities. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and common communication platforms. Reliable transportation and the ability to travel locally (CSRA) for meetings and events. Ability to successfully pass a background check and verify legal authorization to work in the United States. Preferred: Experience working with volunteer boards. Experience using donor management or CRM software. Experience with marketing, communications, and digital fundraising. Familiarity with housing insecurity, human services, or family‑serving nonprofits. The Ideal Candidate The person who will thrive in this role: Believes deeply in the dignity and potential of every family we serve. Is self‑motivated and takes initiative without waiting for direction. Works independently while welcoming feedback, adapting to changing priorities, and partnering effectively with the Director of Programs and Board to advance organizational goals. Enjoys building programs rather than simply maintaining them. Thinks strategically while embracing hands‑on work. Communicates professionally with donors, volunteers, staff, board members, and community leaders. Adapts quickly as priorities evolve. Works efficiently and takes pride in accomplishing meaningful work with excellence. Seeks opportunities instead of obstacles. Wants to build something that will continue changing lives for years to come. #J-18808-Ljbffr