Director of Resource Development

Director of Resource Development

Department: Development

Reports to: Executive Director

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

About The Arc Maryland

The Arc Maryland is the largest statewide nonprofit advocacy organization working to create a world where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities. We lead statewide advocacy, education, and community engagement efforts and support 9 local chapters as part of the national federated network of The Arc. We are a small, mission-driven, collaborative team seeking a highly organized and reliable Director of Resource Development to support the organization’s fundraising and philanthropic efforts.

Position

The Arc Maryland seeks a dynamic, mission-driven Director of Resource Development to lead its individual and institutional philanthropic giving efforts. This position is responsible for growing and diversifying the organization’s contributed revenue through individual donor cultivation, corporate and community sponsorships, foundation, state, and federal grants, and the fundraising dimensions of community programs and events. The Director of Resource Development will work in close partnership with the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director to build a sustainable philanthropic foundation that supports the organization’s statewide advocacy mission and signature programs.

The Arc Maryland’s work is deeply rooted in legislative advocacy, public policy, training, information and referral, and statewide outreach on behalf of Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While this position is not the primary relationship holder for legislative and government affairs, the Director of Resource Development will play an important role in broadening the organization’s philanthropic reach among individuals and community stakeholders who share the mission of disability rights and inclusion, particularly through advocacy-related outreach and events.

Essential Job Functions

Individual Giving and Major Donor Development

• Build and manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, cultivating relationships that lead to increased annual and major gifts.
• Design and execute the annual individual giving program, including annual appeals and mid-year campaigns.
• Identify, research, and cultivate new individual donor prospects to expand the organization’s philanthropic base.
• Solicit major gifts in partnership with the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director (Senior Leadership).
• Provide necessary support to Senior Leadership in successfully managing their respective donor portfolios and ensuring consistent follow-through on assignments.
• Support and engage board members in individual giving and peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, developing tools, templates, and check-in mechanisms for success.

Corporate and Community Sponsorships

• Develop and manage a corporate and community-based organization sponsorship program for external programs and events.
• Identify and cultivate prospective corporate sponsors through relationship-building and targeted outreach.
• Create sponsorship proposals and benefit packages tailored to the interests and philanthropic priorities of prospective partners.
• Steward existing corporate relationships with timely reporting, recognition, and renewal communications.

Foundation and Grant Funding

• Research and identify foundation and grant opportunities aligned with the organization’s priorities in advocacy, inclusive education, self-advocacy, and community outreach.
• Write, submit, and manage foundation grant proposals and reports, in coordination with program staff and Senior Leadership.
• Maintain a grants calendar and ensure all submission deadlines, reporting requirements, and funder commitments are met.
• Partner with Senior Leadership to build and nurture relationships with foundation program officers and institutional funders.

Program and Event Fundraising

• Lead the development strategy for the organization’s signature community programs, including inclusive education initiatives and innovation-focused community grant programming, by securing individual, corporate, and foundation support.
• Support the fundraising dimensions of the organization’s annual conference, advocacy events, and statewide convenings, including sponsorship solicitation, donor cultivation, and event-related fundraising activities.
• Collaborate with program staff to develop compelling cases for support and funder-facing materials for community-based initiatives.
• Assist with event logistics as needed for fundraising and donor cultivation events, including planning coordination, vendor communication, and day‑of support.

Donor Stewardship and Data Management

• Ensure all donors receive timely, accurate, and meaningful gift acknowledgments and recognition.
• In partnership with support staff, maintain the integrity of the donor database, including consistent data entry, record updates, and reporting.
• Generate fundraising reports tracking progress against goals and present updates to Senior Leadership and relevant board committees.
• Develop and implement a stewardship plan that strengthens donor loyalty and supports long‑term giving relationships.

Communications and External Representation

• Collaborate with staff on the development of external communications materials that support the fundraising program, including campaign letters, impact reports, donor newsletters, and digital content.
• Represent The Arc Maryland at community events, funder convenings, and external meetings as appropriate.
• Serve as a connector to the organization’s mission, articulating the impact of donor investment to a broad range of audiences.

Board and Organizational Engagement

• Staff the Sustainability Committee of the Board of Directors, including preparing meeting materials, tracking action items, and supporting board member fundraising engagement.
• Collaborate with Senior Leadership and other staff to align fundraising goals with organizational priorities and capacity.
• Contribute to a positive, mission-centered organizational culture and team environment.

Professional Requirements

The Director of Resource Development must possess:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE designation a plus.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, with demonstrated knowledge and success in individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, events, and foundation relations.
• Proven ability to cultivate and close philanthropic commitments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with donor database platforms and functions.
• High degree of self‑motivation, organization, and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
• Genuine commitment to the rights, dignity, and full inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of the Maryland philanthropic landscape is a plus.
• Flexibility to support occasional evening and weekend events.
• Ability to travel throughout the state of Maryland.

Salary Range and Benefits

Salary range of $70,000-$100,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including employer-paid coverage for employee-only medical, dental and vision insurance, a 5% employer retirement contribution after one year of eligible service, 15 days of paid time off, 8-10 paid holidays, employer-sponsored life insurance, mileage reimbursement for approved business travel, a phone stipend, and a flexible hybrid work schedule with a minimum requirement of 2-3 days in‑office days per week at our office in Columbia, MD, subject to organizational needs. Benefits are subject to change in accordance with organizational policy.