VP of Development
About The Position
The Opportunity: This is a pivotal leadership role for a visionary fundraiser ready to drive transformational growth. As Vice President of Development, you'll partner directly with our CEO & President to achieve strategic fund development goals during an exciting period of organizational expansion. We're looking for a self-directed, strategic thinker who thrives on turning challenges into opportunities. You'll lead the turnaround and growth of our fundraising operations with an immediate focus on: Improving grant success rates through strategic, targeted approaches Rebuilding corporate giving momentum with year-round engagement Developing an untapped individual and major gifts program from the ground up The Goal: Drive $1.9M annually across diversified revenue streams including corporate giving, grants, individual giving, special events, and campaigns. What you'll do Lead and Inspire a High-Performing Team You'll mentor and develop four talented direct reports (Annual Giving Manager, Volunteer Services Manager, Director of Community Relations, and Director of Marketing and Communications). We believe in building people up so they shine—and we need a leader who shares that philosophy. Architect Revenue Growth Design and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies that identify prospects, donors, businesses, and community partners Own key metrics: 75%+ donor retention, 25-30% grant success rate, 85%+ corporate partnership renewals, and 4:1 minimum event ROI Transform our grants approach from high-volume to high-probability, building sustainable multi-year commitments Create a major gifts program from inception, building a pipeline of $5K+ donors and targeting 15-20 new major donors annually Develop tiered corporate partnership packages with tangible benefits and year-round engagement strategies Build Lasting Relationships You'll be the face of Project Access to donors, funders, and community partners. You'll personally meet with top supporters, lead compelling presentations, and create a stewardship program focused on relationship-building, not just transactions. Champion Our Values At Project Access, leadership means embodying respect, empowerment, integrity, teamwork, and innovation in everything you do. We want someone who leads with courage, builds trust through accountability, and creates an environment where people feel safe to ask questions and take risks. Your First 90 Days We believe in setting you up for success from day one: Complete a comprehensive donor audit and segmentation analysis Launch a corporate re-engagement campaign for lapsed donors Develop a refreshed case for support addressing key feedback patterns Meet personally with our top 30 donors to build relationships Present a 12-month fundraising plan with specific targets by revenue source Conduct one-on-one meetings with each team member to assess strengths and development needs
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
- 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 high-performance teams through coaching, mentorship, and by celebrating accomplishments
- Proficiency with donor databases and CRM systems
- Experience managing external contractors and vendors
- 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 and Inspire a High-Performing Team
- Architect Revenue Growth
- Build Lasting Relationships
- Champion Our Values
Benefits
- Health insurance, dental insurance, long-term disability, term life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Additionally, the following voluntary benefits are available at 100% employee cost: vision insurance, voluntary life insurance, pet insurance, and supplemental benefits.
- Safe Harbor 401(k) with 4% company match.
- Paid time off + 14 paid holidays
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
