Development & Communications Director

About disABILITYsa

Established in 2007, disABILITYsa is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization with the mission to educate, advance, and engage people with disabilities by building connections, exchanging information, creating opportunities, and strengthening our disability community in the greater San Antonio area. The work of disABILITYsa supports a vision where San Antonio is the #1 community where people with disabilities want to live, learn, work, and play.

Through four mission pillars, disABILITYsa works to EDUCATE people with disabilities by sharing information about resources and services, providing access guidance, and offering leadership development training, promoting greater independence and inclusion. ADVANCE public attitudes, awareness, respect and consideration for success of people with disabilities. ENGAGE people with disabilities as active participants in our community. And, STRENGTHEN organizations, supports, and connections that improve independence, inclusion, and belonging for people with disabilities.

Learn more at www.disABILITYsa.org.

Position Overview

The Development & Communications Director is responsible for driving revenue, visibility, and donor engagement for the organization. This includes individual giving, corporate partnerships, grants, special events, and all public-facing communications. This person will lead strategy and execution while collaborating across a small team of committed colleagues and volunteers.

This is a high-accountability, goal-driven leadership role ideal for someone who thrives in a mission-focused environment. disABILITYsa is a small, ambitious organization with a high expectations culture. Candidates should be prepared for hands-on work, collaborative problem-solving, and direct ownership of fundraising and communications outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Donor Engagement (60%)

• Lead strategy and execution for annual fundraising to meet or exceed a total operating budget of $700,000, in addition to capital improvements to office and equipment purchases.
• Manage donor relationships, gift acknowledgment, and stewardship
• Drive individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and membership programs
• Write and manage grant proposals and reporting for foundations, government, and corporate funders
• Oversee fundraising events: including the Purse-u-ability Auction and Fiesta Especial® Royal Court Campaigns
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Board on major donor outreach

Communications & Marketing (30%)

• Develop and execute annual communications strategy in support of fundraising, program awareness, and brand visibility
• Manage content for website, social media (Facebook, Twitter), newsletters, printed materials, and press releases
• Support storytelling, photography, and design needs across programs and events
• Monitor and analyze communications performance (e.g., reach, engagement)

Organizational Leadership (10%)

• Serve as a member of the leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy and growth
• Collaborate with other directors on cross-functional initiatives (programs, admin, outreach)
• Supervise interns and volunteers supporting development and communications

Success Benchmarks: First Six Months

Month 1–2: Rapid Assessment & Initial Action

• Build relationships with the Executive Director, board, key funders, and community stakeholders
• Conduct a swift but thorough audit of current fundraising and communications assets (donor lists, grants, events, messaging)
• Launch at least one “quick win” donor engagement or visibility initiative
• Identify and prioritize immediate revenue opportunities
• Prioritize and submit a minimum of 6 grant proposals or LOIs each month aligned with current program funding needs, meeting deadlines
• Visit at least two core programs to develop fluency in the organization’s mission and impact

Month 3–4: Parallel Planning & Activation

• Draft and begin executing a 12-month fundraising and communications plan while continuing rapid-cycle outreach
• Re-engage lapsed donors and coordinate at least 3–5 major donor meetings
• Prepare a communications calendar and at least two campaign templates aligned with upcoming initiatives
• Prioritize and submit a minimum of 6-8 grant proposals or LOIs each month aligned with current program funding needs, meeting deadlines

Month 5–6: Execution with Strategic Alignment

• Launch a targeted fundraising or donor engagement campaign
• Prioritize and submit a minimum of 8 grant proposals or LOIs each month aligned with current program funding needs, meeting and getting ahead of deadlines
• Present early metrics and progress to the Executive Director, including revenue generated, donors re-engaged, and communications performance
• Refine strategy and priorities based on learnings, and identify staffing/volunteer needs to support scale-up

Qualifications

• 6-8+ years of experience in nonprofit development
• 4+ years experience in communications, or external affairs preferred
• CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation is preferred and considered a strong asset
• Demonstrated success managing fundraising campaigns, donor relationships, and/or grant funding
• Strong writing and storytelling skills, especially for donor and public audiences
• Proficiency with donor management software and digital platforms (Weebly, Reachmail, Loomly, GivePulse, Quickbooks, etc.)
• Confident and effective with public speaking and community engagement
• Highly organized, self-driven, and committed to continuous improvement
• A deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and the mission of advancing the disability community
• Availability for occasional evenings/weekends for events, community engagements, and programming support while working over 40 hours/week.
• Physical ability to support event set-up (lifting up to 50 lbs, being on feet for extended periods, exposed to various weather conditions)
• Background check required, including Texas DPS, FBI, Central Registry, credit, MVR, and drug screening.

Work Environment

• This is an in-person role based in San Antonio
• Team culture is mission-driven, high-performing, fast-paced, and collaborative—where adaptability, creative problem-solving, and shared accountability are key to meeting ambitious goals with limited resources
• Support is available for professional development and training

English – Fluent (Required):

Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including the ability to craft compelling narratives, manage professional correspondence, and engage diverse audiences through print and digital media.

Spanish – Conversational to Fluent (Preferred):

An appreciation for the linguistic diversity of the San Antonio community is essential. The ability to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking stakeholders is valued and supports outreach and inclusivity.

American Sign Language (ASL) – Basic Proficiency or Willingness to Learn (Preferred):

Familiarity with ASL is an asset, particularly when engaging with Deaf or hard-of-hearing community members. Willingness to learn basic ASL or to collaborate with interpreters demonstrates a commitment to accessibility and inclusion.