Director of Development
About the Organization
We are a growing, six-year-old nonprofit organization with a $2.6 million operating budget dedicated to advancing our mission of impacting generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors – 12+ years, no matter what. With strong momentum, committed leadership, and an engaged board, we are seeking our first Director of Development to lead and expand our fundraising efforts.
Position Summary
The Director of Development is the driving force behind our fundraising strategy and growth. This leader sets the vision, makes the asks, and builds the relationships that fuel our $2.6M organization’s impact. Equal parts strategist and doer, they thrive on ambitious goals, meaningful donor connections, and turning opportunity into revenue.
Reporting to the Executive Director and supervising the Development Manager and contract grant writer, this person brings focus, energy, and fun to the work — organized, collaborative, and fearless in pursuit of support. If you love building relationships, rallying people around a mission, and hustling to make big things happen, this role is for you.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
A. Organizational Leadership
• Participate in organizational meetings with the Leadership Team, the Board of Directors, and Board committees
• Participate in development and oversight of annual budget and organizational strategic planning
• Value and foster an organizational culture of philanthropy
o Facilitate program participation in fundraising and donor cultivation events
o Collaborate on grant applications and manage deliverables
• Collaborate with the Friends network
o Build strong relationships with network Development Directors and National staff
o Monthly Development Director calls
o Serve as a strategic thought partner with National and network chapters
• Comfortable communicating with a wide range of audiences
o Multi-cultural youth and families
o Community resources, partners, and businesses
o Public speaking engagements
• Participate in and support meetings and events for our organization during times that may fall outside of the traditional work week
• Ability to pivot and respond to unplanned, urgent situations
• Develop, implement, and oversee other projects as required
B. Fundraising Strategy & Leadership
• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual development plan aligned with organizational goals
• Meet and exceed annual fundraising targets across multiple revenue streams
• Provide regular forecasting, reporting, and analysis to the Executive Director and Board
• Identify new funding opportunities and growth strategies
C. Major Gifts & Donor Stewardship
• Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of individual major donors and prospects
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through personalized engagement strategies
• Strengthen systems for donor retention, upgrade, and recognition
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board on major gift strategy and asks
D. Events & Corporate Partnerships
• Provide strategic oversight for fundraising events to maximize revenue and donor engagement
• Cultivate and steward corporate sponsors and community partners
• Ensure events align with broader fundraising and relationship-building goals
E. Grants & Institutional Giving
• Oversee grant strategy and pipeline development
• Support and guide grant writing efforts led by the Development Manager
• Build relationships with foundation and institutional funders
F. Team Leadership & Collaboration
• Supervise and support the Development Manager (marketing, communications, event logistics, social media, some solicitation, and grant writing)
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing development function
• Work cross-functionally with program staff to gather stories, impact data, and funding priorities
• Engage and support board members in fundraising activities
Skills & Qualifications
• Minimum 4–6 years of nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding revenue goals
• Proven track record in major gifts, donor stewardship, events, and grants
• Experience managing or growing a development program within a $1M+ budget organization preferred
• Strong relationship-builder with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational and project management abilities
• Experience supervising staff and building collaborative teams
• Comfortable making direct asks and engaging high-level donors
• Proficiency with donor databases/CRM systems
Ideal Attributes
• Highly organized and detail-oriented while keeping sight of big-picture strategy
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Energetic, positive, and mission-driven
• Creative problem-solver
• Self-starter with a strong work ethic and results-driven mindset
• Brings both professionalism and a sense of fun to the work
Salary Range
Full-time, exempt salaried position of $85,000 - $95,000 annually
Benefits
The benefit package is comprehensive and includes the following:
• Medical, dental, EAP, and vision coverage paid 100% for the employee by the organization; 25% of the premium for dependents is paid by the organization
• 401k plan with matching of up to 2.5%
• Long-term Disability, Life, and ADD coverage paid 100% for the employee by the organization
• Subsidized AAA membership
Plus a robust paid time off package that includes the following annually (prorated based on start date):
• 120 hours vacation (with progressive increases based on longevity)
• 80 hours sick
• 10 paid holidays
• 6 mental health days
• Paid time off for the work days that occur during our closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Location
Vancouver, Washington
Additional Information
Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices, and to working toward racial equity. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.