Head of Development & Fundraising

Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS) empowers and supports students throughout Southeast Michigan to achieve post-secondary success. Founded in 1990, DRDFS provides equitable opportunities for students to access and earn a post-secondary degree, reach their goals, and strengthen our communities.

Through our Next Level Scholars Program, scholars are engaged beginning in 10th grade and continue through post-secondary credential or degree attainment. The program inspires and prepares students to pursue post-secondary education, accomplished through tailored campus visits, SAT preparation, leadership workshops, FAFSA completion, one‑on‑one coaching and more. DRDFS awards each scholar a $4,000 scholarship upon high school graduation and continues to provide resources, coaching and support until they earn a post‑secondary degree or credential. Our students outpace their peers in post‑secondary enrollment, persistence, and graduation, a point of pride for the organization.

Over the past 35 years, what started as a small group of committed neighbors who established the organization to support their local school has evolved into a comprehensive, award winning post‑secondary access and success program, serving 16 partner high schools and more than 1,000 students across Southeast Michigan annually.

Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS) is seeking a strategic, results‑driven Development Director to lead and grow the organization’s fundraising efforts in partnership with the Executive Director and Board of Directors. This role is responsible for the overall direction, execution, and performance of DRDFS’s fundraising strategy and serves as a key member of the organization’s leadership team.

The Development Director will oversee all fundraising functions, including annual giving, major gifts, grants, planned giving, events, and school‑based fundraising initiatives. In addition to managing a personal portfolio of major donors, the Development Director will oversee fundraising systems, budgets, and performance tracking to ensure sustainable growth and alignment with organizational priorities.

This role also provides direct supervision and strategic leadership to the development and communications team and plays a central role in engaging board members and volunteers as active partners in fundraising. As part of the leadership team, the Development Director will help advance DRDFS’s mission of empowering students to achieve post‑secondary success by building meaningful, long‑term relationships with individuals, foundations, schools, and businesses across the region, while modeling the organization’s values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This is a full‑time position based in Plymouth, MI with a predominantly in‑office work environment from 8am-5pm M‑F.

Lead the organization’s overall fundraising strategy in partnership with the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

Manage fundraising budgets, revenue forecasting, performance tracking, and regular reporting to leadership and Board.

Ensure fundraising systems, processes, and data support effective decision‑making and sustainable growth.

Lead and execute all fundraising programs, including annual giving, major gifts, grants, planned giving, events, and school‑based fundraising initiatives.

Manage a personal portfolio of major donors and lead donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.

Provide strategic leadership and direct supervision to the development and communications team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

Develop and equip board members and volunteers with tools, training, and guidance to effectively engage in fundraising and donor relationships.

Ensure effective use of the donor database and fundraising systems to support accurate reporting, grant management, and timely donor stewardship.

Monitor and evaluate fundraising performance to maximize return on investment and ensure best practices are consistently applied.

Model and uphold DRDFS’ culture, values, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all fundraising and leadership activities.

Five years of nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated success across all aspects of fundraising, including: major gifts, grants, events, and annual giving.

Experience with foundation fundraising and grant writing, including proposal development and reporting.

Experience creating, managing, and monitoring fundraising budgets and revenue projections.

Experience using donor databases, reporting tools, and email marketing platforms to support and elevate fundraising and stewardship efforts.

Deep alignment with the mission, values, and culture of Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars, including a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars strives to promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value differences in experiences, perspectives, and identities, including but not limited to ethnicity, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, gender identity, and disability status.