Development Director

Director of Development

Reports to: Executive Director / Co-Founder

Works closely with: Co-Founder, Board of Directors

Location: DC Metro Area (Hybrid; local presence required for donor meetings and events)

About the Ryan Bartel Foundation

The Ryan Bartel Foundation (RBF) is a leading provider of accessible, evidence-based suicide prevention and mental wellness programs for youth ages 12–18 and their families in Northern Virginia and beyond. Unlike emergency or clinical services that intervene during crisis, RBF focuses on prevention, fostering belonging, connection, and resilience before a crisis occurs.

Since 2015, RBF has created safe, welcoming spaces where teens build friendships, develop lifelong skills to manage stress, anxiety, and sadness, and experience a true sense of belonging. These proven programs offer protective factors against depression and self-harm, transforming isolation into community and despair into hope.

RBF is entering a new phase of growth and infrastructure development and seeks a Director of Development to build and scale a professional, sustainable fundraising program that ensures our services remain free, accessible, and responsive to community needs.

Position Summary

The Director of Development is the senior leader who owns the design, execution, and continuous improvement of RBF’s comprehensive fundraising strategy, with a primary focus on growing unrestricted revenue and building toward a sustainable $1M+ annual fundraising program.

This role is ideal for a hands-on fundraiser who thrives in a growth-stage environment and enjoys both strategy and execution. The Director of Development will lead major gifts, corporate partnerships, grants, sponsorships, and events—personally managing a portfolio of key donors and partners while using the Executive Director, Co-Founder, and Board as strategic partners in cultivation and solicitation.

Core Responsibilities

Strategy & Revenue Leadership

• • Develop and execute annual and multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with organizational goals.
  • Build and manage a diversified revenue portfolio, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundations/grants, sponsorships, events, and monthly giving.
  • Set and own revenue targets and maintain direct accountability for fundraising performance.
  • Identify and pursue new revenue opportunities to sustain and grow annual contributions.
  • Personally manage a portfolio of priority donors and prospects.

Major Gifts & Partnerships

• • Build and manage a robust major donor and corporate pipeline.
  • Personally cultivate, steward, solicit, and close significant gifts, including five- and six-figure contributions, leveraging leadership and board members when appropriate.
  • Lead corporate sponsorship and partnership strategy.

Board & Stakeholder Engagement

• • Serve as senior fundraising advisor to the Executive Director, Co-Founder, and Board.
  • Equip and support board members to participate effectively in fundraising.
  • Cultivate strong relationships with funders, community partners, and key stakeholders.

Systems, Operations & Reporting

• • Own development operations, including CRM management, donor pipeline tracking, gift processing, reporting, and forecasting.
  • Establish clear metrics, dashboards, and accountability systems to support revenue growth.
  • Develop and manage the development budget.
  • Provide clear, data-driven fundraising forecasts and regular performance updates to leadership and the Board.
  • Ensure compliance with fundraising regulations and ethical standards.

Events

• • Own revenue strategy and sponsorships for fundraising events.
  • Oversee event planning and execution in partnership with the Co-Founder and contractors.

Qualifications

• • 7+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including 4+ years of major donor cultivation.
  • Proven track record of securing major gifts and managing a diversified fundraising portfolio.
  • Experience building or scaling a development program.
  • Strong strategic, systems, and data-driven fundraising skills; CRM experience required.
  • Experience working with nonprofit boards and supporting board committees.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently drive revenue growth in a lean or growth-stage nonprofit environment.
  • Background in healthcare, behavioral health, or social services strongly preferred.
  • Passion for youth mental wellness and suicide prevention.

Success Indicators

• • Achieves or exceeds annual revenue targets supporting $1M+ in contributions.
  • Strengthens donor retention and expands the major-gift pipeline.
  • Builds sustainable systems that support long-term growth.
  • Demonstrates strong collaboration with leadership and the board.

Compensation & Benefits

• • Year 1: $90,000–$100,000
  • Factors that may influence compensation placement within the range include years of relevant experience, depth of major-gift responsibility, prior success building or scaling development programs, and familiarity with mission-driven work.
  • Compensation growth and expanded incentive opportunity anticipated based on performance and organizational growth.
  • Hybrid work environment.
  • Performance incentives tied to organizational fundraising outcomes (not individual commissions).

English fluency and good oral, presentation and writing skills