Director of Mission Advancement

CDS Monarch, Inc.•Webster, NY

6h•$75,000 - $85,000

About The Position

The Director of Mission Advancement builds and grows philanthropic support for the CDS Wolf Foundation through identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors and prospective donors. This relationship-focused role develops a sustainable major-gifts pipeline, secures significant philanthropic commitments, and expands fundraising beyond event-based revenue. Working closely with the Vice President of Advancement, CDS leadership, Foundation board members, and community stakeholders, the Director builds donor relationships, identifies funding opportunities, and advances annual fundraising priorities, long-term organizational goals, and capital campaign initiatives. The position also contributes to fundraising strategy, donor communications, stewardship, and community engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated success in fundraising, major gifts, business development, sales, donor relations, or another relationship-driven role involving revenue generation.
Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with donors, clients, business leaders, or other key stakeholders.
Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, presentation, and relationship-management skills.
Ability to identify opportunities, develop strategic engagement plans, and move prospects toward meaningful financial commitments.
Ability to build trust, influence, and credibility with high-capacity donors, business leaders, and community stakeholders.
Strong organizational skills, initiative, sound judgment, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
Experience using donor databases, CRM systems, or comparable relationship-management tools.
Ability to collaborate with executive leadership, board members, volunteers, and colleagues across departments.
Commitment to ethical fundraising practices and the mission of CDS Life Transitions.
Willingness to travel locally for donor meetings, events, and organizational activities.

Nice To Haves

Experience securing major gifts or other significant philanthropic commitments.
Experience supporting capital campaigns, corporate philanthropy, or business-owner engagement.
Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising strategy, donor stewardship, and prospect research.
Experience with DonorPerfect or similar fundraising CRM platforms.
Experience working within a multi-entity nonprofit or mission-driven organization serving diverse populations.

Responsibilities

Identify, research, qualify, and prioritize prospective donors through prospect research, community engagement, referrals, and relationship networks.
Develop and manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors with significant giving potential.
Create and execute donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to advance major philanthropic commitments.
Conduct donor meetings, organizational visits, and personalized engagement activities.
Prepare proposals, presentations, and funding requests aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities.
Build relationships with business owners, corporate leaders, and community partners to expand the Foundation’s philanthropic network.
Partner with the Vice President of Advancement, executive leadership, and board members to secure introductions, strengthen donor engagement, and pursue major gifts.
Provide ongoing stewardship to foster meaningful donor experiences and encourage continued and increased giving.
Support capital campaign prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Collaborate with campaign leadership, consultants, and Foundation staff to advance campaign priorities and donor strategies.
Track prospect activity and provide regular updates on cultivation efforts, solicitations, and anticipated commitments.
Contribute to annual fundraising strategies focused primarily on major gifts, leadership giving, and individual philanthropy.
Develop approaches to convert event participants, sponsors, and annual donors into long-term philanthropic supporters.
Partner with program and organizational leaders to identify funding opportunities and communicate organizational impact.
Collaborate with Marketing on donor communications, storytelling, and impact reporting.
Maintain accurate donor and prospect information using DonorPerfect and related reporting tools.
Assist with grant opportunities and other philanthropic initiatives as assigned.
Collaborate with advancement staff to coordinate donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Represent the Foundation at donor meetings, community activities, and organizational events.
Travel locally for donor meetings, events, and organizational activities.