Development Strategist
Choose901, Memphis, TN, United States
About Dragonfly
Help build solutions to some of the most complex challenges facing our communities today. Dragonfly designs, launches, and supports social enterprises that address systemic challenges at the intersection of affordable housing, mental health, and homelessness. We work alongside nonprofits, policymakers, and private-sector partners to turn promising ideas into practical solutions that improve lives.
Our team is multidisciplinary—bringing together strategists, operators, and creatives who move ideas from concept to implementation. Rather than simply advising organizations, we build, test, and operate real-world initiatives, providing the strategy, operational support, and shared infrastructure needed for these ventures to grow and succeed.
Working at Dragonfly Working at Dragonfly means helping turn bold ideas into real programs that improve lives. Team members collaborate across multiple initiatives within our portfolio of social enterprises, supporting everything from program design and partnerships to operational systems and implementation.
We’re looking for people who are comfortable working in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment and motivated by the opportunity to build solutions that create lasting social impact.
Essential Functions / Key Responsibilities The Development Strategist is responsible for cultivating and stewarding relationships with high-net-worth individuals, major donors, and community stakeholders to mobilize philanthropic investment across Dragonfly’s portfolio of nonprofit partners. This role also provides strategic fundraising support to partner organizations by advising on donor engagement, development planning, and campaign strategy.
Build and manage a portfolio of major donor prospects, philanthropic partners, and community stakeholders.
Cultivate and steward relationships through meetings, outreach, follow-up, and donor engagement planning.
Support major gift strategy, including donor research, cultivation planning, and solicitation preparation.
Collaborate with partner organizations to strengthen fundraising strategy, donor engagement efforts, and development systems.
Support fundraising initiatives across the portfolio including campaigns, appeals, sponsorship opportunities, and donor events.
Coordinate donor presentations, site visits, and partner tours to demonstrate mission impact and increase donor investment.
Maintain accurate donor/prospect records in CRM systems and document donor engagement activity.
Track fundraising pipeline activity and provide reports and updates to leadership.
Collaborate with communications teams to support donor-facing messaging, impact materials, and stewardship content.
Represent Dragonfly and partner organizations at community events and donor gatherings as needed.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
Minimum of 4 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, development strategy, or nonprofit advancement.
Demonstrated ability to build donor relationships and manage a fundraising pipeline.
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Experience using CRMs and maintaining accurate donor data.
Professional discretion and comfort working with confidential donor information.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed for donor events.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with major gifts and high-net-worth donor cultivation.
Experience supporting multiple organizations or working in a consulting/agency environment.
Familiarity with the Memphis philanthropic community.
Benefits This role is eligible for all benefits available to full-time Dragonfly employees, as outlined in the Dragonfly Employee Handbook, including health insurance, 401(k) with employer match, 3 weeks paid time off, holidays, a 2-week company-wide winter break, and other standard benefits.
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Our team is multidisciplinary—bringing together strategists, operators, and creatives who move ideas from concept to implementation. Rather than simply advising organizations, we build, test, and operate real-world initiatives, providing the strategy, operational support, and shared infrastructure needed for these ventures to grow and succeed.
Working at Dragonfly Working at Dragonfly means helping turn bold ideas into real programs that improve lives. Team members collaborate across multiple initiatives within our portfolio of social enterprises, supporting everything from program design and partnerships to operational systems and implementation.
We’re looking for people who are comfortable working in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment and motivated by the opportunity to build solutions that create lasting social impact.
Essential Functions / Key Responsibilities The Development Strategist is responsible for cultivating and stewarding relationships with high-net-worth individuals, major donors, and community stakeholders to mobilize philanthropic investment across Dragonfly’s portfolio of nonprofit partners. This role also provides strategic fundraising support to partner organizations by advising on donor engagement, development planning, and campaign strategy.
Build and manage a portfolio of major donor prospects, philanthropic partners, and community stakeholders.
Cultivate and steward relationships through meetings, outreach, follow-up, and donor engagement planning.
Support major gift strategy, including donor research, cultivation planning, and solicitation preparation.
Collaborate with partner organizations to strengthen fundraising strategy, donor engagement efforts, and development systems.
Support fundraising initiatives across the portfolio including campaigns, appeals, sponsorship opportunities, and donor events.
Coordinate donor presentations, site visits, and partner tours to demonstrate mission impact and increase donor investment.
Maintain accurate donor/prospect records in CRM systems and document donor engagement activity.
Track fundraising pipeline activity and provide reports and updates to leadership.
Collaborate with communications teams to support donor-facing messaging, impact materials, and stewardship content.
Represent Dragonfly and partner organizations at community events and donor gatherings as needed.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
Minimum of 4 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, development strategy, or nonprofit advancement.
Demonstrated ability to build donor relationships and manage a fundraising pipeline.
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Experience using CRMs and maintaining accurate donor data.
Professional discretion and comfort working with confidential donor information.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed for donor events.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with major gifts and high-net-worth donor cultivation.
Experience supporting multiple organizations or working in a consulting/agency environment.
Familiarity with the Memphis philanthropic community.
Benefits This role is eligible for all benefits available to full-time Dragonfly employees, as outlined in the Dragonfly Employee Handbook, including health insurance, 401(k) with employer match, 3 weeks paid time off, holidays, a 2-week company-wide winter break, and other standard benefits.
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