Vice President of Development

Project Access•Orange, CA

6h•$145,000 - $155,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Project Access is seeking a Vice President of Development to lead the next chapter of growth for our national fundraising operation. Working in close partnership with the CEO & President, the VP of Development will be responsible for achieving ambitious strategic fund development goals as our organization continues to expand, with a $1.8M annual fundraising target spanning corporate giving, grants, individual giving, special events, and campaigns. This is an opportunity for a self-directed, strategic thinker who thrives operating independently and can move fluidly between big-picture vision and hands-on execution. You'll act as both a doer and a thought leader, driving measurable revenue growth across a diversified funding portfolio that includes an 80% fee-for-service model through developers and 20% traditional fundraising, within a $13M operating model. In this role, you will lead a focused turnaround and growth strategy, prioritizing: Improving national gift opportunities and grant success rates Rebuilding momentum in corporate giving Reengaging lapsed donors Growing and developing the development department Reestablishing and strengthening our brand If you're energized by the challenge of building something bigger, and want your strategic vision to directly shape the future of an organization making a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Requirements

7-10 years of progressive professional fundraising experience with demonstrated success across grants, corporate, major gifts, and events
5+ years managing development teams, including marketing, communications, and/or volunteer functions
Proven track record of personally securing six-figure gifts and managing a major gifts portfolio
Experience developing grant strategies with measurable improvement in success rates
Success building corporate partnership programs with multi-year commitments
Experience building or significantly growing an individual giving program
Experience operating in a collaborative development environment and leading high-performance teams
Exceptional communicator: You write compelling grant proposals, craft inspiring solicitation letters, and deliver presentations that move donors to action
Strategic thinker: You analyze data, identify patterns, and turn insights into actionable fundraising strategies
Relationship builder: You function effectively with donors, volunteers, board members, and colleagues at all levels
Self-directed leader: You exercise initiative, work independently, and keep stakeholders informed
Team champion: You inspire staff and Board members alike to reach new levels of performance, building high-performing teams through coaching, mentorship, and by celebrating accomplishments
Proficiency with donor databases and CRM systems
Experience managing external contractors and vendors, including event planners and freelance professionals
Data-driven approach to analyzing donor files and fundraising performance
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, or related field
Valid Driver's License with clean driving record and current automobile insurance
Ability to pass background check

Nice To Haves

Experience working with nonprofits serving low-income populations, affordable housing, or social services
Knowledge of planned giving programs

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a team of four direct reports: the Annual Giving Manager, Director of Community Relations, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Volunteer & Community Partnerships Manager
In your first 30 days, assess the department's strengths and needs and build a scalable revenue infrastructure
Foster a culture of accountability, trust, and continuous improvement through regular coaching and clear goal-setting
Model collaborative leadership by working across departments and building strong partnerships with Operations, Programs, and Finance
Own strategic oversight of all revenue streams — individual gifts, events, foundation and government grants, corporate giving, CRA partnerships, planned giving, bequests, and endowments
Develop and execute a donor roadmap, including a 90-day revenue recovery plan and a three-year growth strategy with defined milestones
Segment and reengage lapsed donors, and pursue larger transformational gifts
Build a major gifts program from the ground up, targeting 15-20 new major donors annually ($5K+ capacity)
Launch a monthly giving program and reinstate our Planned Giving Program
Create a donor recognition society with tiered recognition and exclusive cultivation events
Support Board Give/Get fulfillment and cultivation, lead in-kind contribution strategy, and partner with our technology team to grow PA Connect app licensing and enterprise revenue
Ensure our CRM and donor database are set up to support our success, and oversee giving history and statistical reporting
Shift toward fewer, higher-probability grant applications and build a 6-month grant pipeline
Develop compelling, funder-specific case statements around affordable housing, digital equity, and resident services
Prioritize multi-year grant commitments to build sustainable revenue
Design a year-round corporate engagement strategy with tiered partnership packages
Audit existing relationships and re-engage lapsed or reduced corporate donors
Grow the Adopt-A-Center program and secure event sponsorships
Develop and execute a national brand and marketing strategy that positions Project Access as the leader in embedded resident services within affordable housing
Oversee marketing and communications to ensure consistent, compelling storytelling across all 17 states
Serve as a spokesperson and advocate, raising Project Access's public profile
Lead a year-round stewardship program focused on relationship-building, not transactional asks
Lead our signature annual campaigns, including Spread the Joy, and develop event committees to secure sponsorships and attendees
Equip and motivate the Board to identify, cultivate, and solicit donors, driving toward 100% Board giving participation
Oversee volunteer strategy, ensuring volunteers are effectively recruited and deployed to support fundraising goals
Translate organizational goals into actionable fundraising plans with clear accountability metrics
Own key performance metrics: 75%+ donor retention, 25-30% grant success rate, 85%+ corporate renewal rate, and 4:1 minimum ROI on events
Oversee development budget lines and participate in the annual budget process
Collaborate on annual reports and donor-facing communications that showcase our impact