Development Director

Position Summary

The Development Director is a dynamic, mission-driven leader who champions p:ear’s story and

inspires others to invest in our work with youth experiencing homelessness. This person is a

natural connector—someone who thrives on building relationships, sparking conversations, and

turning passion into tangible support. They are equally comfortable in a room full of strangers, a

one-on-one donor meeting, or a community event where p:ear’s values shine.

This role blends strategy and heart. The Director is a strategic storyteller, community builder,

and driver of revenue growth across individual, corporate, and foundation giving to meet an

annual goal of $2.5M. They understand that development is rooted in connection, trust, and

shared purpose—and they bring energy, curiosity, and follow-through to every opportunity.

In 2027, p:ear will celebrate its 25th anniversary—an important milestone honoring the creativity,

connection, and care that have defined our work for a quarter century. This anniversary also

provides a powerful opportunity to inspire deeper investment and supercharge the next 25 years

of impact.

In partnership with the Executive Director, Board, and staff across departments, the Director will

lead the development of a comprehensive 25th Anniversary plan to secure multi-year funding

commitments beyond the annual goal that sustain and expand p:ear’s work well into the future.

About p:ear

p:ear builds positive relationships with youth experiencing homelessness through education, art,

recreation, and job training to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful and healthier

lives.

At p:ear, our work starts with the realities of today and ends when young people find and

embrace tomorrow. Our beauty—our core essence—is in everything in between: in the kids,

their daily experiences, their struggles and triumphs, and in their journey. We believe every

young person has a vibrant future.

p:ear respects and celebrates the diversity, creativity, and strength of our community. Equity and

inclusion are priorities across all parts of our organization. We commit our time and resources to

identifying and eliminating disparities based on identity and to promoting equitable access to our

programs so we can all live in the world we want for our young people.

Required Values & Competencies

Deep commitment to social justice, racial equity, and youth-centered practice●

Effective leader and collaborator across diverse communities, including BIPOC,

immigrant, LGBTQ+

, disabled, low-income, and homeless populations

Skilled at cultivating and stewarding donor, partner, and stakeholder relationships

aligned with p:ear's mission

Strategic thinker who navigates ambiguity with confidence and sound judgment, and

collaborates with humility

Clear, compelling communicator and community-centered storyteller, able to distill

complex information for diverse audiences

Self-directed and achievement-oriented, with the initiative to anticipate needs, set

priorities, and move work forward

Patient and persistent in relationship-based fundraising

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan across individual, corporate,

foundation, and event income streams; establish a planned giving program

Lead the development of a multi-year funding strategy for p:ear’s 25th anniversary and

long-term sustainability

Lead and mentor development staff, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and

responsible storytelling

Partner with the Executive Director and Board to strengthen philanthropic engagement

and expand p:ear’s network of supporters

Build and manage systems for donor stewardship, prospecting, and pipeline

development

Utilize donor databases and related platforms effectively, creating a culture of rigorous,

consistent record‑keeping to ensure continuity and strengthen long-term donor and

partner relationships

Major Gifts & Individual Giving

Lead and manage the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and

transformational gifts ($5,000+)

Build and maintain a robust portfolio of donors, ensuring thoughtful and strategic

engagement through personal visits, calls, digital outreach, events, and tailored appeals

Provide executive-level support to the Executive Director and staff in managing donor

portfolios and preparing for donor interactions

Develop and implement solicitation goals, cultivation strategies, and stewardship plans

that inspire increased support

Oversee the first-time donor journey and ensure meaningful, timely stewardship

Develop strategies for monthly giving, annual appeals, and donor retention

Corporate Partnerships, Events & Community Engagement

Build and maintain strong relationships with corporate partners, including a robust

prospect pipeline for sponsorships, workplace giving and corporate engagement

Provide strategic leadership for p:ear’s annual gala, p:ear Blossoms, and other

fundraising events

Design and oversee events that provide experiential learning and program engagement

opportunities for donors

Represent p:ear at community events, speaking engagements, and partner gatherings●

Cultivate relationships with community businesses and partners to support events and

campaigns

Communications & Storytelling

Partner with the Executive Director to develop an annual communications plan and

supervise a Development Manager who oversees the organization’s multi-channel social

media strategy

Create and manage all fundraising related campaigns, from marketing and messaging to

appeals, supporting a culture of responsible storytelling among staff and leadership

Manage relationships with partners and vendors, including graphic design, printing,

website, and database management vendors

Manage the production and editing of high-quality copy for marketing and engagement

collateral, such as mailings, fundraisers, social media, donor requests, and gratitude

letters

Represent p:ear in the community by participating in press engagements, including TV,

radio, and public speaking opportunities

Ensure all messaging reflects p:ear’s values of love, trust, belonging, and responsible

storytelling

Safe Space Support

Build healthy, mentoring relationships with youth

Participate in occasional daily activities to stay connected to p:ear’s community and story

Support a team approach to maintaining a safe, welcoming space for youth

Qualifications

Minimum 5 - 7 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit

development, with demonstrated success in major gifts and relationship-based

fundraising

Proven ability to build and steward donor relationships that lead to increased investment

Strong writing skills, including donor communications, proposals, and storytelling

Experience managing staff or leading teams

Demonstrated ability to work across lines of difference with humility and cultural

responsiveness

Strong project management, coordination, and budget management skills

Ability to work evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays

Experience with Salesforce and WordPress preferred but not required

TO APPLY

Please send your resume and responses to the three questions below (in lieu of a cover letter)

as PDFs to jobs@pearmentor.org with “Development Director” in the subject line. Applications

will be accepted on a rolling basis with first review on 5/15/2026. Email only; no phone calls,

please.

1. How will you incorporate equity into your work as Development Director at p:ear?
2. How do you build community and grow relationships?
3. Tell us about the most impactful gift you've ever secured?

Benefits include generous paid vacation, eight sick

days, 100% paid health + dental, 3% simple IRA match, short- and long-term disability, life

insurance, paid parental leave, flexible schedule with one day at home/four days in the office,

and sabbatical eligibility after 7 years of employment.