Director of Development and Donor Relations
Association of Fundraising Professionals, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Director of Development and Donor Relations
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – Hybrid (DC Metro Area)
About NAEYC The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
The Opportunity The Director is responsible for developing and managing all aspects of fundraising to sustain and enhance NAEYC’s services and impact on behalf of its members and the early childhood profession. To achieve that, the Director will foster and maintain strategic partnerships, cultivate a diverse donor pipeline, and execute fundraising strategies and initiatives that include major gifts, grant solicitation, planned giving, fundraising campaigns and special events to increase revenues of at least $3 million annually.
Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, the Director will collaborate closely with Executive and Leadership Team members, as well as key volunteers including the Governing Board to best position NAEYC’s priorities to grow and expand philanthropic revenue from foundations, corporations, individuals, and other entities. The ideal candidate is goal‑oriented and team‑oriented, has experience closing five, six and seven‑figure gifts and developing cultivation and stewardship strategies responsive to different donor type needs while aligning with the organization’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities
Understand the strategic direction and vision of the organization to create and implement a comprehensive development plan that meets annual revenue goals and advances NAEYC’s long‑term priorities
Cultivate and steward existing and new relationships with foundations, corporations, and individual donors
Establish a process to identify and oversee grant opportunities, including preparation of proposals and reports
Direct the development of a sponsorship program that provides companies the opportunity to invest in NAEYC beyond exhibits and ads, and lead the sponsor pipeline development process, helping key NAEYC leaders conduct outreach
Develop and oversee fundraising appeals to individuals on a cadence throughout the year that fits NAEYC’s audiences
Develop and oversee a planned giving program, helping donors realize their charitable goals in support of NAEYC’s mission
Plan and execute stewardship process that ensures all NAEYC donor types feel a strong connection to the organization and want to renew their grant, gifts, or sponsorships; this includes generating donor communications, newsletters, and impact reports
Actively engage with staff, governing board and affiliate leadership to ensure an ongoing understanding of funding needs and to build capacity to meet those needs through philanthropic activities
Collaborate with Communications and Marketing staff on designing and developing campaign related materials and generating clear and consistent communications to promote development efforts
Monitor and analyze fundraising data to evaluate performance and adjust strategies as needed
Work closely with staff across the organization in support of development initiatives – providing guidance, mentorship and support as needed
Stay up to date on fundraising trends and the nonprofit community
Other duties as required to advance the organization’s goals and objectives
Management The Director of Development reports to the Chief Communications Officer and directly supervises the Grants and Development Specialist and external contractors.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in business management, public administration, marketing, communications, or related field required
7+ years fundraising, development, and grant writing experience
Experience developing multi‑year, multi‑million funding grant proposals
Proven track record of meeting fundraising goals and securing major gifts
Knowledge of board governance and skill in cultivating volunteer engagement in fundraising efforts
Experience with fundraising and donor/funding opportunity research for individual, corporate and foundation giving
Proficiency with fundraising software such as Salesforce, as well as experience with donor databases and online fundraising platforms
Experience working in non‑profit organizations and with non‑profit fundraising techniques
Certified Fundraising Executive credential preferred
Membership in fundraising professional associations preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrated ability to influence and engage a wide range of people and to build long‑term relationships
Proven ability to develop cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that expand a donor base and increase revenue
Prior leadership or supervisory experience, with the ability to provide direction, coordinate work, and partner collaboratively across departments and levels
Exhibits a "roll up their sleeves" mentality, with the ability to pivot easily between strategic and tactical
Proven history and ability to deliver results and play a leading role as a change agent in scaling the organization’s grant and development programs
Exceptional communication skills (both verbal and written), including presentation skills
Demonstrated ability to manage multi‑faceted projects and a capacity to perform well independently in a fluid, dynamic environment
Strong analytical, strategic planning, time management, and organizational skills
Excellent research skills
English and a second language preferred
Equity mindset
Donor and service mentality
Hybrid Indicates that this role is based in the DC Metro Region and is required to physically be on‑site in the DC office at least one day a week due to the needs of the organization. Employees are expected to be in the office on Wednesdays unless otherwise determined by immediate supervisor and department leadership.
Required Travel Indicates that this role will be expected to travel as required by business needs. This role has a travel requirement of 15%.
Compensation and Benefits Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $130,000–$160,000 with a generous benefits package.
Equal Employment Opportunity NAEYC is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, or protected veterans status, or any other factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable laws and regulations.
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About NAEYC The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
The Opportunity The Director is responsible for developing and managing all aspects of fundraising to sustain and enhance NAEYC’s services and impact on behalf of its members and the early childhood profession. To achieve that, the Director will foster and maintain strategic partnerships, cultivate a diverse donor pipeline, and execute fundraising strategies and initiatives that include major gifts, grant solicitation, planned giving, fundraising campaigns and special events to increase revenues of at least $3 million annually.
Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, the Director will collaborate closely with Executive and Leadership Team members, as well as key volunteers including the Governing Board to best position NAEYC’s priorities to grow and expand philanthropic revenue from foundations, corporations, individuals, and other entities. The ideal candidate is goal‑oriented and team‑oriented, has experience closing five, six and seven‑figure gifts and developing cultivation and stewardship strategies responsive to different donor type needs while aligning with the organization’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities
Understand the strategic direction and vision of the organization to create and implement a comprehensive development plan that meets annual revenue goals and advances NAEYC’s long‑term priorities
Cultivate and steward existing and new relationships with foundations, corporations, and individual donors
Establish a process to identify and oversee grant opportunities, including preparation of proposals and reports
Direct the development of a sponsorship program that provides companies the opportunity to invest in NAEYC beyond exhibits and ads, and lead the sponsor pipeline development process, helping key NAEYC leaders conduct outreach
Develop and oversee fundraising appeals to individuals on a cadence throughout the year that fits NAEYC’s audiences
Develop and oversee a planned giving program, helping donors realize their charitable goals in support of NAEYC’s mission
Plan and execute stewardship process that ensures all NAEYC donor types feel a strong connection to the organization and want to renew their grant, gifts, or sponsorships; this includes generating donor communications, newsletters, and impact reports
Actively engage with staff, governing board and affiliate leadership to ensure an ongoing understanding of funding needs and to build capacity to meet those needs through philanthropic activities
Collaborate with Communications and Marketing staff on designing and developing campaign related materials and generating clear and consistent communications to promote development efforts
Monitor and analyze fundraising data to evaluate performance and adjust strategies as needed
Work closely with staff across the organization in support of development initiatives – providing guidance, mentorship and support as needed
Stay up to date on fundraising trends and the nonprofit community
Other duties as required to advance the organization’s goals and objectives
Management The Director of Development reports to the Chief Communications Officer and directly supervises the Grants and Development Specialist and external contractors.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in business management, public administration, marketing, communications, or related field required
7+ years fundraising, development, and grant writing experience
Experience developing multi‑year, multi‑million funding grant proposals
Proven track record of meeting fundraising goals and securing major gifts
Knowledge of board governance and skill in cultivating volunteer engagement in fundraising efforts
Experience with fundraising and donor/funding opportunity research for individual, corporate and foundation giving
Proficiency with fundraising software such as Salesforce, as well as experience with donor databases and online fundraising platforms
Experience working in non‑profit organizations and with non‑profit fundraising techniques
Certified Fundraising Executive credential preferred
Membership in fundraising professional associations preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrated ability to influence and engage a wide range of people and to build long‑term relationships
Proven ability to develop cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that expand a donor base and increase revenue
Prior leadership or supervisory experience, with the ability to provide direction, coordinate work, and partner collaboratively across departments and levels
Exhibits a "roll up their sleeves" mentality, with the ability to pivot easily between strategic and tactical
Proven history and ability to deliver results and play a leading role as a change agent in scaling the organization’s grant and development programs
Exceptional communication skills (both verbal and written), including presentation skills
Demonstrated ability to manage multi‑faceted projects and a capacity to perform well independently in a fluid, dynamic environment
Strong analytical, strategic planning, time management, and organizational skills
Excellent research skills
English and a second language preferred
Equity mindset
Donor and service mentality
Hybrid Indicates that this role is based in the DC Metro Region and is required to physically be on‑site in the DC office at least one day a week due to the needs of the organization. Employees are expected to be in the office on Wednesdays unless otherwise determined by immediate supervisor and department leadership.
Required Travel Indicates that this role will be expected to travel as required by business needs. This role has a travel requirement of 15%.
Compensation and Benefits Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $130,000–$160,000 with a generous benefits package.
Equal Employment Opportunity NAEYC is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, or protected veterans status, or any other factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable laws and regulations.
#J-18808-Ljbffr