Development Manager (Full-Time)

Are you a fundraising wizard who dreams big, plans smart, and loves connecting people to a purpose? Humble Design San Diego is seeking a Development Manager to lead our fundraising strategy and fuel our mission to furnish homes – and transform lives – for individuals and families emerging from homelessness.

Who We Are

At Humble Design, we turn empty spaces into homes with dignity, hope, and a healthy dose of trademark “Humble Magic.” Our San Diego team has helped hundreds of individuals, families, and veterans leaving homelessness to regain stability and begin to thrive by transforming their empty houses into warm, welcoming homes.

What we do works: according to a 2024 UC San Diego Homelessness Hub study, 98 percent of Humble San Diego clients stay housed after receiving our services, because having a home instead of only having housing is a social determinant of health and well-being. We are looking to grow our mission and serve more of our neighbors.

We believe that every piece, every detail, and every moment – together – creates a special kind of magic. Humble Design welcomes people home, so that lives are changed for good.

The Role

The Development Manager at Humble Design San Diego is a strategic, collaborative, and empathetic team member with proven fundraising experience, strong interpersonal skills, and exceptional communication, organizational, and project management abilities.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Development Manager is a full-time position responsible for leading the strategy and implementation of all fundraising initiatives. This includes corporate sponsorships, individual giving, grant writing, and the organization’s signature annual event, Welcome Home.

The Development Manager oversees all phases of development projects from planning through execution, ensuring that goals are achieved, deadlines are met, and communication with stakeholders is clear and effective.

What You’ll Do

Create the Master Plan: Design and own a bold, multi-channel fundraising and donor stewardship strategy that includes corporate partnerships, individual giving, grants, and a major yearly signature event.

Expand the Fundraising Infrastructure: Build and enhance the systems, tools, and processes that bring Humble Design’s fundraising strategy to life, supporting the Executive Director’s leadership and the organization’s long-term vision and goals.

Spark Corporate Partnerships: Research, pitch, and steward sponsors who share our vision for transforming lives and communities. Manage our Day of Joy home sponsorship program from solicitation to day-of coordination to donor stewardship.

Build Donor Journeys: Work with the Executive Director to create campaigns and engagement opportunities that grow individual support—whether it’s recurring gifts, major donors, or heartfelt thank-yous.

Own the Big Event: Own the fundraising strategy for our 200+ person annual event, driving $300K in revenue through sponsorships, auctions, and volunteer engagement, while ensuring a memorable, magic-filled experience that brings our mission to life.

Win Grants: Support grant-writing program led by the Executive Director by assisting with copywriting, proofreading, moves management, and meaningful funder stewardship efforts.

Collaborate & Thrive: Work closely with the Executive Director and our Board Philanthropy Committee to set and achieve fundraising goals, share impact stories, and celebrate wins.

Track & Analyze: Maintain donor data in our CRM, monitor progress, and refine the strategy so the magic keeps growing.

You’ll Shine if You Have

• A passion for Humble Design’s mission and a belief in the transformative “magic” of beautiful, dignified homes.
• 3+ years in nonprofit development with proven experience in corporate, individual, and event fundraising.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills – charisma and follow-through are key.
• Strong writing chops for proposals, donor appeals, and impact storytelling.
• Project management savvy – ability to plan, prioritize, and pivot as needed.
• Digital technology fluency – aptitude to learn, implement, and optimize solutions, including emergent AI tools, to support our mission.
• The ability to both envision and articulate the big picture and do the boots-on-the-ground work to bring it to life – Humble is a team sport, and everyone is a player.

Bonus Points For

• Experience in volunteer management and/or interior design
• Familiarity with fundraising CRMs and analyzing donor data
• Hands-on experience managing social media campaigns and content

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Be part of a passionate team creating real impact in your own community.
• See the magic in action on “Days of Joy.” Imagine walking into an empty house in the morning…and opening the door in the afternoon to welcome a family home on the best day of their year.
• Learn and grow in an inspiring nonprofit that’s making a measurable difference.

How to Apply

We’re excited to meet people who care as much about our inspiring clients and their beautiful homes as we do. All applicants must apply via Breezy for this position. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis; the position is open until the search concludes. Every application is read with care. Please have the following documents ready to upload to your online application:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter including:
   • Why you’re drawn to Humble Design’s mission
   • A fundraising or relationship-building success you’re proud of
   • How your skills and approach fit a collaborative, mission-driven team

Got questions? Please contact us via email.

Humble Design is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Humble Design provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS (must be met in order to successfully complete the essential functions of the job), While largely sedentary, this position requires the ability to sit, stand, lift up to 20 lbs., speak, and hear, sometimes for extended periods of time. Requires the ability to traverse, survey, and evaluate external and internal spaces within the property. Requires the ability to use a computer and office equipment traditionally found in office settings. Requires the ability to travel regionally. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Benefits: medical insurance and PTO.