Director of Development

Position Summary: The Director of Development is a pivotal leadership role responsible for advancing The Station Foundation's mission through strategic fundraising, authentic relationship cultivation, and comprehensive revenue development. This position demands a sophisticated fundraiser who can move seamlessly between major gift solicitation, family office engagement, foundation partnerships, and grassroots campaigns—all while embodying the gravitas and emotional intelligence required to represent our organization to high-net-worth donors and community leaders.

The ideal candidate is a driven, mature professional with demonstrated success in major gifts fundraising who understands that transformational philanthropy is built on trust, authenticity, and genuine connection. You will lead fundraising strategy, manage donor portfolios, oversee development operations, and work directly with the Executive Director to expand our base of support and secure the resources necessary to serve more SOF families.

This is an opportunity to join a mission-driven organization at a pivotal growth stage, where your leadership will directly shape our impact for years to come. You will have the autonomy to build systems, cultivate transformational relationships, and create meaningful change for a community that has given everything in service to our nation.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual fundraising plan aligned with organizational goals, including revenue targets, activity metrics, and strategic priorities
• Lead major gift cultivation efforts with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and principal donors
• Design and implement a moves management system to track donor relationships from identification through stewardship
• Establish and maintain fundraising dashboards, forecasting tools, and performance metrics
• Present regular reports to the Executive Director and Board of Directors on fundraising progress, trends, and opportunities

Major Gifts & Donor Relations

• Personally manage a portfolio of 50-75 major gift prospects and donors
• Conduct 10-15 donor meetings monthly (in-person and virtual)
• Research, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift relationships
• Create compelling proposals and presentations tailored to individual donor interests
• Design and execute personalized stewardship plans that demonstrate impact and deepen engagement
• Develop donor recognition programs that honor contributions while respecting the culture of the SOF community
• Build authentic, long-term donor relationships with a focus on storytelling and impact.

Foundation & Corporate Partnerships

• Identify, research, and pursue foundation and corporate grant opportunities
• Lead grant writing efforts including Letters of Inquiry, full proposals, and impact reports
• Manage grant calendars, deadlines, and compliance requirements
• Cultivate relationships with program officers and foundation leadership
• Explore corporate partnership opportunities including sponsorships, matching gifts, and employee engagement

Annual Fund & Campaign Management

• Design and execute multi-channel annual fund campaigns (direct mail, email, social media, peer-to-peer)
• Plan and manage fundraising events including donor cultivation experiences, galas, and campaigns
• Oversee digital fundraising platforms (Classy, social media, website giving)
• Develop monthly giving programs and recurring revenue strategies
• Create compelling communications that tell our story and inspire action

Team Leadership & Operations

• Lead, mentor, and develop the development team
• Establish clear goals, expectations, and accountability structures
• Oversee CRM management (Virtuous) including data integrity, reporting, and automation
• Ensure timely gift processing, acknowledgment, and donor communications
• Develop and manage the development budget with attention to cost-effectiveness and ROI
• Create and maintain standard operating procedures for all development functions

Communications & Marketing Collaboration

• Partner with communications staff to develop compelling case statements, impact stories, and donor materials
• Ensure brand consistency across all fundraising materials
• Contribute to annual reports, newsletters, and digital content
• Leverage storytelling to demonstrate program impact and inspire giving

Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Required:

• Progressively responsible development experience with demonstrated success in major gifts fundraising
• Proven track record of personally securing gifts of $25,000+
• Experience managing a donor portfolio and implementing moves management strategies
• Strong understanding of philanthropic principles, donor psychology, and cultivation best practices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to craft compelling narratives
• Proficiency with CRM systems (Virtuous) and fundraising technology platforms
• Experience developing and managing budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Strongly Preferred:

• Experience working with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and foundations
• Grant writing experience with foundation and corporate funders
• Knowledge of planned giving vehicles and major gift structures
• Experience with capital campaigns or comprehensive fundraising campaigns
• Familiarity with military culture, veterans' issues, or mission-driven nonprofit work
• Membership or involvement with Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
• CFRE certification or commitment to pursuing certification

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in CRM platforms (Virtuous, Salesforce, or similar)
• Experience with online fundraising tools (Classy, Donorbox, etc.)
• Competency with donor research tools (DonorSearch, Wealth Engine, iWave)
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and project management tools
• Comfort with data analysis, reporting, and metrics-driven decision making

The Successful Candidate Will

Professional Excellence

• Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills with the gravitas and maturity to engage confidently with high-net-worth donors, family offices, and community leaders
• Exhibit a proactive, persistent, and results-driven approach with a track record of exceeding goals
• Possess strategic thinking abilities with the tactical skills to execute flawlessly
• Show strong emotional intelligence and cultural competency, particularly in understanding military service
• Communicate with clarity, authenticity, and conviction in both written and verbal formats
• Present professionally in formal and informal settings, adapting seamlessly to diverse audiences

Leadership & Character:

• Lead with integrity, humility, and servant leadership principles
• Model accountability, transparency, and ethical fundraising practices
• Inspire confidence and trust in donors, colleagues, and stakeholders
• Navigate ambiguity with grace and make sound decisions under pressure
• Demonstrate resilience, optimism, and a solutions-oriented mindset
• Show genuine curiosity about others and a commitment to building lasting relationships

Mission Alignment:

• Express deep passion for serving the Special Operations community and military families
• Understand and honor the unique culture, values, and sacrifices of SOF warriors
• Approach fundraising as a ministry of connecting donors' passions with meaningful impact
• Value authenticity over transactional relationships
• Demonstrate commitment to The Station's mission and philosophy of genuine healing

Work Style & Collaboration:

• Work independently with minimal supervision while staying connected to team goals
• Thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where flexibility is essential
• Collaborate effectively across departments and with external partners
• Embrace continuous learning and professional development
• Balance strategic planning with hands-on execution
• Manage multiple priorities with strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Hunger & Growth Mindset:

• Seek challenging opportunities that push professional boundaries
• Embrace feedback and demonstrate consistent improvement
• Take initiative to solve problems and identify opportunities
• Show commitment to mastering the craft of fundraising
• Pursue innovation in donor engagement and revenue generation
• Invest in long-term career development within the nonprofit sector

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. The position requires:

• Travel: periodic national travel for donor meetings, conferences, and cultivation events (estimated 25% travel)
• Schedule Flexibility: Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for donor meetings, events, and campaigns
• Background Check: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background check and reference verification.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Extended periods at computer workstation
• Virtual meeting participation via video conferencing platforms
• In-person meetings, events, and site visits requiring standing, walking, and networking for extended periods
• Air travel and ground transportation for donor cultivation and organizational meetings
• Ability to lift and transport materials up to 25 lbs (event supplies, promotional materials)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.

The Station Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including veterans and military spouses.

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