Job Location

Lifsey-Development

Job Summary:

The Director of Grants and Annual Giving is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability. This role leads efforts in grant acquisition, annual giving campaigns, and donor stewardship, while fostering cross-functional collaboration and mentoring development staff. The Director ensures alignment between fundraising initiatives and organizational priorities, driving revenue growth through strategic planning, relationship management, and operational excellence.

The Director of Grants and Annual Giving will promote a positive work environment that celebrates our vision, mission and core values of Teamwork, Respect, Uprightness and Empowerment in every action and interaction with team members, donors, customers, management and persons served.

Job Description

Essential Functions

Fundraising Implementation

Collaborates with the executive team to develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals.
Provides leadership in setting annual fundraising targets, monitoring progress, and adjusting strategies as needed.

Grant Acquisition and Management

Researches, identifies, and pursues grant opportunities from foundations and corporations.
Cultivates and maintains relationships with grant-making organizations.
Leads the foundation stewardship and grant process, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for all prospects.
Manages cross-departmental collaboration to align organizational needs with grant criteria.
Prepares and submits grant applications and required reports (annual, final, etc.).

Annual Giving

Executes comprehensive annual giving campaigns and stewardship plans targeting individual donors through direct mail, online giving, impact reports, and donor communications.
Partners with the Marketing and Communications team to develop compelling fundraising materials.
Implements strategies to increase donor retention and acquisition, focusing on long-term relationship building.

Donor Stewardship

Cultivates and stewards donor relationships, ensuring timely and meaningful acknowledgment of contributions.
Develops systems for donor recognition and engagement to foster community and loyalty.

Collaboration and Team Leadership

Works cross-functionally with program managers, finance, and communications to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities.
Leads, mentors, and supports the Development Associate to achieve departmental goals.
Coordinates with the VP of Advancement and other team members on prospect activities, ensuring timely solicitation and personalized stewardship.
Collaborates with the Donor Support Specialist to maintain accurate donor records and acknowledgment processes.

Operations and Other Responsibilities

Oversees the donor database system, including vendor recommendations and system optimization.
Maintains accurate records of donor interactions and stewardship activities.
Represents the organization at Goodwill and community events.
Supports capital campaigns and special events as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in development, communication or related field is required. CFRE certification is a plus but not required.

Experience

5–7 years of nonprofit development experience, with demonstrated success in grant writing and annual giving.

Knowledge / Skills

Deep understanding of nonprofit fundraising principles, including grant writing, donor cultivation, and annual giving strategies.
Proficiency in donor database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce) and fundraising analytics.
Understanding of nonprofit financials and budgeting as they relate to fundraising.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling grant proposals and donor communications.
Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines and coordinate cross-departmental efforts.
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with donors, funders, and internal stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Director of Grants and Annual Giving

Benefits

Job Description