Director of Development and Fundraising

About Us: 

At Rock Creek, we believe in empowering individuals to live fulfilling and independent lives. We provide comprehensive support services to individuals with developmental disabilities, fostering their growth, independence, and happiness.

The Rock Creek Foundation’s Director of Fundraising and Development will lead the organization’s comprehensive fundraising strategy, overseeing annual giving, grants, corporate sponsorships, major donor cultivation, and special events. This role is responsible for developing and executing short- and long-term revenue plans in partnership with the President & CEO, cultivating strong relationships with donors, board members, foundations, and corporate partners, and ensuring effective donor stewardship through communications, events, and impact reporting. As a key member of the leadership team, the Director also serves as an external ambassador for the organization, representing Rock Creek Foundation at events and supporting government and community relations. The position supervises development staff, vendors, and volunteers while working cross-functionally with marketing, communications, and program departments to ensure alignment across fundraising, branding, and strategic priorities.

Fundraising and Development

• Lead all aspects of The Rock Creek Foundation’s fundraising strategy, including annual giving, grants, corporate sponsorships, and major donor cultivation.
• Research and identify new fundraising prospects, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Develop and execute annual and long-term strategic development plan with the President and CEO of The Rock Creek Foundation.
• Develop, implement, and monitor annual revenue goals in partnership with the President and CEO of The Rock Creek Foundation.
• Develop, implement, and monitor funding goals for capital improvements.
• Establish effective relationships with board members, donors, and support the organization is all fundraising activities.
• Prepare and present to the board: annual fundraising reports, annual summaries, compliance reports and impact reports.
• Build, maintain and strengthen relationships with institutional funders, corporate partners, foundations and individual donors.
• Draft and oversee fundraising collateral, donor communications, and impact reports.
• Implement Rock Creek Foundation’s full fundraising and development plan.
• Update routinely, monitor goals of Rock Creek’s programs.
• Plan and execute donor cultivation and stewardship events.
• Partner with the Marketing Manager/ Communications Manager to align messaging and campaigns with fundraising priorities.
• Plan, coordinate and be responsible for fundraising campaigns, and special events including annual benefit or fundraising events.
• Actively work and plan strategies to solicit sponsors and donors.
• Partner with marketing and communications team to create and distribute marketing materials, organizational swag or event materials.
• Develop and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for donors and sponsors.
• Draft compelling appeals, proposals, and donor communications.

Strategic Leadership & External Affairs

• Serve as a visible external ambassador for Rock Creek Foundation with donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Contribute to organization-wide strategy setting, working with the CEO, and senior leadership team.
• Represent the organization, alongside External Affairs Coordinator at external events, donor meetings, and public engagements.
• Support government relations efforts in collaboration with the External Affairs Coordinator, advocacy, and community relations.

Staff Supervision & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Supervise the External Affairs Coordinator, Grant Writer, Fundraising Volunteers and External Vendors.
• Supervise the Grant Writer in researching and identifying Federal, State, Corporate, County, and Foundation grant opportunities.
• Supervise the number of grants, program expansion, sustainability of current plans, and new program opportunities.
• Partner with the Marketing Manager/Internal Communications Manager and External Affairs Advisor to ensure cohesion across external affairs.
• Collaborate with program and operations staff to integrate fundraising and community engagement goals.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, non-profit management, or a related field.
• 5 years of progressive fundraising experience in nonprofit organizations.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue goals across multiple fundraising streams (major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, annual giving, planned giving, special events).
• 3–5 years in a leadership or director-level role, managing staff or volunteers.
• Experience working with Boards of Directors and executive leadership to develop and execute fundraising strategies.
• Grant writing and management experience (foundation, corporate, and government funding).
• Donor database systems experience.
• Experience designing and implementing strategic fundraising campaigns (capital campaigns, annual appeals, etc.).
• Capacity to develop long-term development strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Financial Acumen - ability to forecast, set, and track revenue goals; experience working with budgets.
• Established relationships with foundations, corporations, and philanthropists relevant to the organization’s mission.
• Knowledge of fundraising regulations, IRS rules, and compliance requirements.
• Exceptional problem solving and decision-making abilities with a strategic mindset.
• Ability to lead a fundraising team, manage vendors, and oversee multiple projects.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills to cultivate donors, sponsors, and community partners.
• Communication Skills: Excellent writing, presentation, and public speaking abilities.
• Adaptability & Innovation: Ability to identify new fundraising opportunities and leverage emerging trends (e.g., digital fundraising, peer to peer campaigns).

This job will maintain a hybrid setting of three (3) days mandatory in-office workdays and two (2) days of remote workdays.

While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderately loud. The work

environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of

this job.

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

What We Offer:

At The Rock Creek Foundation, you’re not just an employee — you’re a valued change agent. Here’s what you can expect:

• Annual Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000
• Competitive benefits package including a 403(b) with company match
• Opportunities for career growth, training and professional development, flexible work schedules and shifts
• Tuition assistance
• Company-wide wellness program
• The rare opportunity to make a difference in the very community that you call home

We understand that no candidate is perfectly qualified for any job, and we believe that diversity of background and experience makes for better problem-solving and collaboration, which is why we are dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team. Even more important than your resume is a positive attitude, a passion for making an impact, a personal desire to grow, and the ability to help individuals heal, recover, and thrive.

Job Details | Recruitment

Disclaimers:

Rock Creek Foundation aspires to create an organization that places value on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and inclusivity. To achieve this success, it is essential that all members of our organization feel secure, welcomed, and respected. All members of our organization have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Rock Creek Foundation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. Rock Creek Foundation participates in E-Verify.

http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf

What We Offer:

At The Rock Creek Foundation, you’re not just an employee — you’re a valued change agent. Here’s what you can expect:

• Annual Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000
• Competitive benefits package including a 403(b) with company match
• Opportunities for career growth, training and professional development, flexible work schedules and shifts
• Tuition assistance
• Company-wide wellness program
• The rare opportunity to make a difference in the very community that you call home