Director of Development

ABOUT US

Resolving to make the world better for children is at the heart of Safe Shores -The DC Children’s Advocacy Center’s mission to provide survivor-centered intervention, hope, and healing for children and families affected by abuse, trauma, and violence in the District of Columbia. Our efforts are focused on working to prevent and end child abuse and neglect through promising practices, policies, and partnerships.

Working side-by-side with passion-driven multidisciplinary teams, we aim to:

• Minimize the trauma experienced by children and adolescents who have been identified as victims of sexual or physical abuse.
• Improve the investigation and prosecution of sexual and physical abuse cases from the point of intervention through to treatment and healing.
• Promote inter-agency collaboration for effective decision-making and management of sexual and physical abuse cases.
• Prevent further or future abuse of child victims.
• Provide training by professionals in the field of investigation, prosecution, and provision of services for sexually and physically abused children, adolescents, and their non-offending caretakers.

THE JOB AND YOUR ROLE

We are currently searching for an experienced Director of Development. This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $90,000 to $100,000 based on relevant experience.

The Development Director provides strategic leadership and hands-on implementation of Safe Shores’ fundraising initiatives to support our mission of serving child victims of abuse. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the senior leadership team, this role oversees all development efforts, including government grants, major gifts, institutional giving, individual and corporate donor cultivation, events, and emerging philanthropic strategies. The Development Director supervises Development staff, collaborates closely with other members of the administrative team, and plays a key role in building a sustainable culture of philanthropy.

This position is a mandated reporter for child abuse and neglect under District of Columbia Statute § 4-1321.02.

Reasonable accommodation may be available to enable persons with disabilities to perform essential job duties. The following is a summary of, and not an all-inclusive list of, the essential job duties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Fundraising Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy to expand Safe Shores’ philanthropic revenue.
• Establish fundraising goals, track performance, and report regularly to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Lead and manage all aspects of donor cultivation, stewardship, solicitation, and recognition across donor levels.
• Stay abreast of and incorporate current trends in philanthropy, including trust-based philanthropy, donor-advised funds, corporate social impact partnerships, and digital fundraising.

Donor Engagement and Relationship Management

• Oversee and grow a portfolio of major donors, prospects, and institutional funders.
• Oversee the preparation and execution of donor, major gift, and event sponsorship appeals, donor acknowledgements, and donor engagement products.
• Represent Safe Shores in the philanthropic community through funder meetings and other forums.
• Cultivate new individual, corporate, and foundation donors with a personalized and mission-centered approach.
• Oversee prospect research and the development of donor profiles and cultivation plans.
• Collaborate with Board members and staff to engage their networks in support of Safe Shores’ mission.

Grants, Government Funding, and Budget Management

• Oversee grant strategy, proposal development, and execution to write and submit compelling proposals including those with the Office of Victims Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG) and other governmental funding agencies.
• Hold primary responsibility for government grant management, including ensuring timely and accurate grant reporting, in concert with the development team and other relevant administrative and program staff.
• Provide oversight on grant compliance requirements.
• Draft annual revenue projections and assist with creation of overall organizational budget, in concert with executive leadership and accountants.

Events and Campaigns

• Provide strategic leadership for fundraising events and campaigns, including annual appeals, donor tours, and virtual/in-person gatherings, including regularly scheduled “Coffee for Kids” events.
• Provide strategic leadership, planning, and execution of seasonal drives and related donor volunteer opportunities, including annual Pack-to-School and Holiday Giving campaigns, in concert with the development team and Program staff.
• Identify opportunities for new or expanded fundraising initiatives aligned with Safe Shores’ mission and values.

Communications & Storytelling

• Collaborate with Communications staff to ensure compelling storytelling and donor-centered content across platforms.
• Ensure consistent messaging and branding in all fundraising materials and donor communications.
• Close collaboration and message coordination with Communications & Marketing staff.

Operational Leadership and Team Management

• Sets, communicates, and holds accountable department fundraising goals, priorities, and benchmarks
• Supervise development staff and interns, providing coaching and professional development.
• Oversee the use of the CRM (Bloomerang) to track donor engagement and ensure data integrity.
• Ensure proper donation processing and reporting, compliant with tax and other relevant legal obligations pertaining to contributions.
• Manage development budget and vendor relationships.
• Manage the Development calendar in collaboration with the Development team to ensure the department meets grant proposal and report deadlines, as well as the annual appeals and campaign schedule. Additionally, collaborate with the Communications & Marketing team to ensure regular and consistent donor communications.
• Serve on Safe Shores’ Senior Management and Management Teams.
• Participate in bi-weekly Staff Meetings and Program Meetings as relevant.
• Participate in regular supervision with the Executive Director.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Provide supervision to the Development team, including the Development Associate and the Development Manager.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required. A degree in business, communications, marketing, or related fields is a plus.
• A deep commitment to Safe Shores’ mission and values.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, including major gifts, institutional giving, and donor cultivation.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, grants management.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to communicate compellingly about Safe Shores’ impact.
• Strategic thinker with exceptional project management, organizational, and leadership abilities.
• Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing a team and collaborating across departments.
• High level of cultural competence, humility, and self-awareness.
• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Bloomerang), Microsoft Office, and virtual meeting platforms.
• Knowledge of the local philanthropic community.
• Ability to successfully pass Child Protection Registry clearance and criminal background checks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in child advocacy, human services, or trauma-informed environments.
• Event planning experience.

Computer/Technology Skills High level of comfort with technology and proficiency with MS Office applications, CRMs, and the internet.

Application Process

Candidates must submit the following information via the organization's HRIS portal (https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/3232383/The-DC-Childrens-Advocacy-Center/Director-of-Development) to be considered for the position:

1. Resume with salary requirements
2. Cover letter or personal statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Safe Shores is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

WHAT WE OFFER

Total Compensation: We prioritize your overall health and well-being. Compensation is more than just a number; you must consider the big picture. As a Director of Development, your salary range is $90,000 to $100,000 per year based on relevant experience. We take total compensation seriously. We proudly offer one of the most comprehensive benefit packages in the non-profit sector, including employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees, and that’s just the beginning. Our work is complex, and in this field, we firmly believe that we must care for ourselves to be present for our circle and those we serve. Please take a moment to read the complete list of employee benefits we offer. We are confident that you will be impressed.

• Birthday Comp Day (your birthday is a holiday for you!)
• Annual Professional Development Fund
• 13 days of paid vacation leave
• 13 days of paid sick leave
• 13 days of paid holidays
• Paid personal leave
• Paid parental leave
• 100% employer-paid medical (PPO with lots of provider options), dental, and vision insurance for the current 2024-2025 plan year
• Wellness stipend
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee appreciation and wellness events
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan (Employer contribution after one year of service)
• Essential oils and diffusers for employee workspaces
• Safe Shores offers paid sabbatical leave for employees with five or more consecutive years of tenure.