Development Manager

Development Manager

Position Summary

The Development Manager is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that generate financial support and resources for the foundation.

This person will manage fundraising activities, donor relationships, grant opportunities, sponsorships, campaigns, and development communications while working closely with the Executive Director/Founder to strengthen the foundation’s financial sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Fundraising

• Develop and manage the foundation’s fundraising strategy.
• Plan fundraising campaigns, appeals, events, and initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to increase individual and organizational support.
• Develop fundraising goals and track progress toward those goals.
• Maintain an organized fundraising calendar.

1. Donor Relations

• Identify, cultivate, and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors.
• Coordinate donor communications and stewardship activities.
• Prepare thank-you letters, updates, impact communications, and other donor materials.
• Maintain accurate donor records and follow up with donors appropriately.
• Help develop strategies for donor retention and increased giving.

1. Grants

• Research potential foundation, corporate, and government grant opportunities.
• Maintain a grant calendar with application deadlines and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate grant applications with leadership and program staff.
• Help prepare grant proposals, budgets, and supporting materials.
• Track grant deliverables and assist with required reports.

1. Corporate Sponsorships & Partnerships

• Identify businesses and organizations that may support the foundation.
• Develop sponsorship opportunities and partnership proposals.
• Build relationships with corporate and community partners.
• Coordinate sponsorship benefits and recognition.
• Help secure financial and in-kind support.

1. Fundraising Communications

• Create fundraising letters, proposals, presentations, and donor communications.
• Develop compelling stories that demonstrate the foundation’s community impact.
• Work with the Social Media Manager to support fundraising campaigns through digital platforms.
• Ensure fundraising messaging is professional, accurate, and aligned with the foundation’s mission.

1. Development Operations

• Maintain organized records of donors, grants, sponsors, prospects, and fundraising activities.
• Monitor fundraising income and development goals.
• Prepare regular development reports for the Executive Director/Founder.
• Help establish systems for tracking prospects, donations, grants, and follow-ups.
• Coordinate with finance staff to ensure fundraising information is properly documented.

1. Fundraising Events

• Help plan and coordinate fundraising events.
• Develop sponsorship packages and fundraising opportunities.
• Coordinate donor and sponsor outreach before and after events.
• Track fundraising results and identify opportunities to improve future events.

Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, grants, sales, relationship management, or a related field preferred.
• Strong communication and writing skills.
• Strong relationship-building and networking abilities.
• Organized and able to manage multiple deadlines.
• Comfortable making donor and sponsor outreach.
• Experience with grant writing and fundraising campaigns is a plus.
• Knowledge of donor databases or CRM systems is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means:

• The foundation has a consistent fundraising strategy.
• New donors and supporters are being identified and cultivated.
• Existing donors receive strong stewardship and remain engaged.
• Grant opportunities are consistently researched and pursued.
• Corporate sponsors and community partners are developed.
• Fundraising campaigns are organized and producing results.
• Leadership has clear visibility into development activities and progress.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is relationship-driven, organized, persistent, and comfortable asking for support.

The right person should be able to identify opportunities, build relationships, make the ask, follow up, and turn those relationships into long-term support for the foundation.

The Development Manager should be someone leadership can trust to own the foundation’s day-to-day fundraising and development activities.