Development Director

Development Director

The Development Director provides strategic leadership for BAHS's fundraising and donor engagement efforts, overseeing the planning and execution of a $1.3 million annual budget. Working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, the Development Director leads individual and corporate giving, annual appeals, and major gifts strategy while overseeing events and development operations through clear collaboration and delegation to the development associate and volunteers. This role is responsible for fundraising strategy, donor relationships, and revenue growth.

Supervisor: Executive Director

Hours: Monday–Friday; primarily in-person at the Belleville shelter. Some evenings and weekends as required for donor meetings and major events.

Salary: Minimum $65,000; exempt

Key Responsibilities

• Fundraising & Major Gifts (Primary Focus)
• Develop and implement the annual fundraising plan in partnership with the Executive Director.
• Execute mid-level giving annual plan & mailings.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 60–70 major donor prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to identify, engage, steward donors, improve retention, and support long-term sustainability.
• Conduct donor research and identify new opportunities for individual, foundation, and corporate support.
• With the support of development associate, prepare fundraising reports and performance updates for leadership and the Board.
• Events (Secondary focus)
• Provide strategic oversight for BAHS fundraising events.
• Support Board and staff event chairs with fundraising strategy, goals, and sponsorship development.
• Serve as lead staff liaison for signature events (Bags for Wags, Wine for Whiskers, Birthday Bash).
• Approve event budgets and review post-event financial outcomes.
• Ensure appropriate donor stewardship associated with events.
• Grants (Oversight)
• Support Executive Director on grant strategy and prioritization.
• Support research, writing, and submission of grants to foundations, corporations, and government sources.
• Ensure post-award reporting and compliance, in coordination with operations leadership and finance staff.
• Development Operations & Administration
• Supervise the Development Associate in donor data entry, acknowledgments, letter updates, email blasts and newsletter in CRM software Neon
• Delegate Development Associate media press releases, third-party fundraising opportunities
• Ensure timely donor acknowledgment and stewardship in coordination with the Executive Director.
• Oversee donor records, reports, and fundraising analytics.
• Maintain organized fundraising and event files and documentation.
• Marketing & Communications (Collaborator)
• Partner with staff and volunteers responsible for marketing and communications.
• Provide fundraising content and messaging for: Annual Appeals, Give STL Day, Giving Tuesday, Events, Donor Stewardship.
• Review fundraising-related marketing materials to ensure alignment with development goals and brand standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Fundraising or sales experience required
• Self-motivated ability to work with little supervision required
• Experience with donor relationship management
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Photography and social media
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Comfort working with Microsoft Office or Google Suite
• Ability to learn CRM and shelter software
• Commitment to BAHS mission and values
• Comfortable handling dogs and cats of all temperaments

Preferred Qualifications

• Major gifts experience
• Experience working with and supporting a Board of Directors
• Grant writing or grants management experience
• CRM or donor database experience
• Bachelor's degree