Head of Development & Fundraising

The Director of Development leads a comprehensive fundraising strategy in partnership with the Executive Director/CEO and Board, with a strong emphasis on major gifts as the primary revenue driver. This role is responsible for cultivating and stewarding donor relationships through personalized engagement, including regular in-person meetings, strategic outreach, and thoughtful recognition efforts. By managing both individual and grant-based major giving initiatives, the Director ensures sustainable revenue growth while aligning fundraising activities with the organization’s mission and long-term goals.

Manages and collaborates with Executive Director/CEO in planning of development activities within the strategic plan; oversees execution of strategic development plan

Reconciles development revenue with Finance & Accounting office

Participates in vendor partner selection, control and management for organizational developmental and marketing; accounts for disbursement of all funds

Manages actual fundraising and development process, ensures accurate records of receipts and accounts for disbursement of all funds

Serves as key development liaison to Board of Directors and Development Committee to provide direction and support for board fundraising efforts

Works with Executive Director/CEO to identify, cultivate and solicit major gifts, planned giving prospects, Corporate and foundation grants

Analyzes donor database to develop and oversee “Moves Management” for individual Major Gift prospects/donors and corporate and foundation grants

Manages the team on Direct Mail program management, database issues, SOP’s, database development and administrative support for major donors and grants

Motivates staff through recognition, training and development of KRAs

Organization Mission and Policies

Supports and demonstrates excellent customer assistance by following the SVdP Customer Service Motto to “Serve our Valuable Customers with Distinction and Purpose” which defines “our valuable customers” as both internal and external; Communicates the vision and strategy to employees, the board, volunteers, customers

Maintains a focus on the vision while balancing day-to-day operations

Business Acumen – The capacity to critically identify, analyze and use performance indicators that directly and indirectly affect the sustainability of the Society.

Identifies and manages against key performance indicators

Understands and considers the financial dynamics of the Society and the industry in making decisions

Balances short term costs with long term viability

Leadership – The ability to positively impact others generating commitment and high performance.

Keeps self and others informed and up-to-date on projects, customers, volunteers, Board decisions and state of the Society

Communicates with and responds to customers, volunteers, fellow workers, and other in a professional, timely, helpful and courteous manner

Pitches in to help others get things done

Adheres to SVdP Handbook policy regarding attendance, punctuality and time-off requests

Continuous Improvement – The drive to ensure personal and organizational competitiveness through continuously improving.

Stays up-to-date on advances in the industry in order to improve Society operations

Shares expertise and knowledge to support the growth and development of others and enabling them to grow and improve in performance

Consistently applies knowledge and expertise to ensure high standards of performance

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) MS Windows (Advanced level)

Development techniques, particularly major gift fundraising (Advanced level)

Development software, DonorPerfect preferred

Grant writing (Advanced level)

Read, analyze and interpret complex documents

Desire to get out of the office and build external relationships

Display a positive attitude, show concern for people and community, demonstrate presence, self-confidence, common sense and good listening ability

Ability to respond effectively to most sensitive inquiries or complaints

Work on multiple projects at once in fast-paced environment

Manage projects within a team

Frequent local travel to meeting sites and visits with donors

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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