Head of Nonprofit Development

10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays and a seasonal paid office closure for a week at the end of each year

100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families

Health Savings Account (HSA) fully funded by NEON for individual or family coverage

NEON pays for basic life insurance with the option for additional employee-paid coverage

NEON also pays for Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and long-term disability insurance

NEON sponsors a retirement plan with a 6% employer match and immediate vesting.

Because NEON is a member with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) who partners with St. Discounted tuition for Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate programs

Professional development opportunities

Access to advancement (internships, job placement, field practice)

Reporting to the President, the Director of Development position at NEON is a front-line fundraiser, leading all NEON’s fundraising activities. This position is responsible for fostering an environment of inclusivity and commitment to the organization’s financial success through the cultivation of donors and supporters at every level, leading both individual major gift fundraising and annual giving programs. In collaboration with the President, the Board of Directors, and teams across organizational departments, the Director of Development manages the organization’s overall income budget and strategic planning of future budgets. The Director of Development is expected to be devoted to the best-in-class fundraising, development operations and building a culture of philanthropy through collective responsibilities with staff and volunteer leadership. Also, this position is responsible for Public Relations, engaging key community leaders with important business topics, initiatives, and objectives, and will require attendance at occasional evening and weekend events.

In partnership with the President, develop and execute an annual strategic fundraising and engagement plan aligned with organizational priorities and measurable performance goals.

Lead the development and implementation of annual and multi-year fundraising strategies to drive sustainable revenue growth and long-term donor engagement.

Achieve established performance metrics, including major gifts secured, donor solicitations, total funds raised, prospect cultivation and qualification, and meaningful donor engagement activities.

Cultivate and strengthen relationships with current and prospective donors, corporate partners, community leaders, and Board members to expand philanthropic support and organizational visibility.

Prepare and present monthly and quarterly reports that provide clear analysis of fundraising performance, pipeline activity, and progress toward strategic objectives.

Provide timely recommendations, reporting, and fundraising analysis to the President, Board of Directors, and senior leadership to support informed decision-making.

Identify and implement opportunities to enhance organizational effectiveness, donor engagement, and community impact.

Collaborate with program leaders and subject matter experts to develop compelling donor communications, impact stories, proposals, and campaign materials that effectively communicate organizational mission and outcomes.

Oversee organizational sponsorships, partnerships, and participation in community and industry events to increase brand awareness, stakeholder engagement, and philanthropic support.

Build and maintain strategic relationships with external stakeholders, businesses, civic organizations, community influencers, and media partners to advance external communications and fundraising objectives across print, digital, social, and earned media platforms.

Direct and oversee all fundraising activities, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, sponsorships, campaigns, and special events, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and best practices.

Who You Are You have earned a bachelor’s degree (required), with a minimum of five years of demonstrated success in major gift fundraising and donor solicitation.

You have at least five years of experience in fundraising, public relations, community engagement, communications, or related fields, with a strong ability to enhance organizational visibility and brand awareness through strategic partnerships.

You can show a track record of securing philanthropic support and cultivating meaningful partnerships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and community organizations.

You have extensive experience building, managing, and sustaining long-term relationships with donors, prospects, foundations, and key fundraising constituents.

You have experience developing, tracking, and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs), fundraising metrics, and engagement data to evaluate performance and support organizational growth strategies.

Your written, verbal, and presentation communication skills are excellent, including experience developing proposals, donor communications, and fundraising materials.

You have strong leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills and can manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

You have a deep commitment to the mission and values of nonprofit organizations and experience working effectively within diverse communities and with individuals from varied backgrounds.

You have exceptional skills in communicating effectively and building relationships with diverse stakeholders, including donors, executives, community leaders, and other influential individuals.

You are proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and donor database/CRM platforms, including Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, and eTapestry.

Please note that if the license was not issued in the state of Minnesota, you have 60 days after becoming a Minnesota resident in which to apply for your Minnesota driver's license or permit.

This includes but is not limited to: professional headshots for NEON’s website, reports, or internal directories; candid or posed images during events, programs, or community engagements; interviews or feature segments for media, promotional videos, or social media.

Diversity and open expression are fundamental to the work of NEON. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment where everyone can belong. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in our sector: individuals who identify as BIPOC, Indigenous or people of culture, LGBTQI+ and gender fluid or gender nonconforming, individuals with disabilities (both seen and unseen), veterans, people of any age or family status. Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, age, marital status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, criminal history (justice-impacted status), housing or homelessness status, height, or weight.