Development Director

The PLACE • Colorado Springs, CO

11d • $72,000 - $85,000

About The Position

ABOUT THE PLACE
The PLACE is the only nonprofit in the Pikes Peak region solely dedicated to supporting youth ages 15–24 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Guided by our mission to ignite the potential in youth to create self-determined, fulfilled lives, The PLACE provides street outreach, a drop-in center, and supportive housing grounded in trust, consistency, and long-term stability.

The PLACE is currently in a period of organizational transformation, strengthening programs, refining systems, and reimagining how we fund and sustain our work. This is a unique opportunity for a Development Director who is excited to help shape the future of a mission-critical organization and build a development function that is strategic, relational, and impactful.

Why Join The PLACE?
This is an opportunity to:
Help shape the future of a nonprofit in transformation
Build meaningful relationships that directly support youth exiting homelessness
Partner closely with the CEO and Board in advancing mission and sustainability
Create lasting impact through innovative, relationship-driven fundraising
Application Process

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the position will remain open until a candidate is selected. For best consideration, please apply by January 26, 2026.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references who can speak to the required skills and experience. In your cover letter, please highlight your experience building and implementing effective financial systems and structures that support a business office of excellence.

JOB SUMMARY
The Director of Development is a key leadership role responsible for designing, implementing, and managing The PLACE’s comprehensive fundraising and engagement strategy. This individual will lead development efforts across the full spectrum—including individual giving, major gifts, events, grants support, donor stewardship, volunteers, and data management—while helping to build and scale a high-functioning development team in close partnership with the CEO.

A central component of this role is building and maintaining strong community and civic partnerships that advance the mission, expand visibility, and strengthen long-term sustainability.

This role is ideal for an entrepreneurial, relationship-driven fundraiser who thrives in a dynamic environment, is comfortable rolling up their sleeves, and wants to have a direct impact on youth experiencing homelessness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit development, communications, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of nonprofit fundraising or development experience
• Experience with Bloomerang software preferred
• Demonstrated success building and stewarding donor relationships
• Experience planning and executing fundraising events
• Comfort working across the full development spectrum—from strategy to hands-on execution
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Must be computer proficient and possess experience of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).
• Must pass both federal and state background checks
• Adhere to all Personnel Policies and Procedures for the Agency
• At all times maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor, and appearance; act as a “role model” both at and away from the Agency
• Maintain a creative, team-building approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks
• Performs all tasks and responsibilities with attention to detail and in a complete and timely manner, complying with agency policies and standards and conforming to the scheduling requirements of the job and program
• Maintain an awareness of the agency’s mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies
• Exercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the agency for the care and welfare of the clients, act with honesty and integrity in all aspects of Agency business
• Actively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experience
• Actively strive to create and maintain a culturally sensitive, trauma informed and appropriate environment through communication and interaction that demonstrates respect for diversity; while promoting the philosophy of trauma informed care in interactions with youth, staff and individuals both internally and externally
• Employees in this position may be subject to long hours on their feet in an office, outdoor, and shelter environment that may frequently include physical conditions such as inclement weather or temperature extremes, sharps, drugs and paraphernalia, and interpersonal contact from non-employees that include sexual innuendo and raw, abusive or threatening language. Employees must be comfortable providing safer sex supplies and bleach kits to youth.
• The PLACE provides personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety training to prepare and protect The PLACE employees in these uncontrolled environments. Compliance with safety protocol is required, which may include the use of PPE, involvement of law enforcement, and/or enactment of emergency protocols, detailed in The PLACE’s Emergency Operations Plan.
• The PLACE is dedicated to equal employment opportunities in any term, condition, or privilege of employment. The PLACE prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, marital status, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, protected veteran status, other non-merit-based factors, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all employees including managers, supervisors, and co-workers.?

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Bloomerang software preferred

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage the annual development strategic plan aligned with organizational goals and mission priorities
• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, working collaboratively to build and strengthen the development function and team
• Track progress toward fundraising goals and adapt strategies as needed in a changing funding environment
• Prepare development reports and updates for leadership and the Board of Directors. Work with the Board of Directors Development Committee
• Build, steward, and sustain strong relationships with individual donors, major donors, corporate partners, foundations, and community and civic leaders
• Manage donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across giving levels
• Support and grow a portfolio of individual and major gift prospects
• Collaborate with the CEO and Board members on donor engagement and solicitation strategies
• Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with local businesses, civic organizations, government partners, and community stakeholders
• Represent The PLACE in community, civic, and philanthropic settings to advance awareness, trust, and engagement
• Lead planning and execution of the organization’s major annual fundraising event, including sponsorships, logistics, and follow-up
• Identify and develop additional engagement opportunities that strengthen community partnerships and donor relationships
• Represent The PLACE in the community and cultivate strategic partnerships
• Oversee development operations, including CRM/database management, data entry, gift tracking, acknowledgements, and reporting
• Analyze fundraising data to inform strategy, identify trends, and support decision-making
• Ensure accurate and timely donor communications and acknowledgements
• Oversee volunteer engagement in collaboration with program staff, ensuring alignment with mission and capacity
• Work cross-functionally with finance, programs, and communications to ensure cohesive messaging and donor experience
• Support grant writing and reporting efforts in collaboration with leadership and finance staff, as needed

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous vacation and sick leave policy
• Paid holidays
• A performance-based bonus opportunity is available after the first year of employment, recognizing exceptional individual performance and meaningful progress toward organizational goals, as determined by the CEO and the Board of Directors.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level