Development Director
Feiro Marine Life Center, Eastsound, WA, United States
The Development Director leads fundraising, donor engagement, and development communications for Children’s Discovery Foundation (Funhouse Commons). This role is responsible for cultivating relationships with donors, foundations, and community partners while implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to sustain and grow youth programs serving Orcas Island.
Working closely with the Executive Director, Board, and staff, the Development Director strengthens philanthropic support through individual giving, grants, events, and planned giving initiatives. This position also provides key support to the Executive Director in donor stewardship and relationship-building, including assisting with donor outreach, meeting coordination, invitations, and preparation for donor cultivation opportunities.
Fundraising & Strategy
Develop and implement annual fundraising plan and calendar
Grow support from individual donors, businesses, and foundations
Secure sponsorships and in-kind contributions
Donor Relations & Stewardship
Cultivate and steward donor relationships
Coordinate acknowledgements and ongoing engagement
Support Executive Director with donor outreach, meetings, and follow-up
Major Gifts & Planned Giving
Build strategies for major and multi-year gifts
Promote legacy giving (bequests, trusts, donor-advised funds)
Grants & Institutional Funding
Research, write, and manage grant proposals
Maintain funder relationships and reporting
Communications & Events
Lead fundraising communications (appeals, newsletters, annual report)
Coordinate storytelling and impact messaging
Plan key events including Annual Gala and Discovery Tours
Operations
Manage donor database
Oversee gift processing, reporting, and donor data accuracy
Qualifications
3+ years of experience in nonprofit development or fundraising
Experience with grant writing, donor stewardship, and fundraising campaigns Strong writing, communication, and relationship-building skills
Experience with donor databases or systems (GiveButter or similar)
Strong organizational and project management abilities
Experience in small nonprofit or community-based organizations preferred
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Working closely with the Executive Director, Board, and staff, the Development Director strengthens philanthropic support through individual giving, grants, events, and planned giving initiatives. This position also provides key support to the Executive Director in donor stewardship and relationship-building, including assisting with donor outreach, meeting coordination, invitations, and preparation for donor cultivation opportunities.
Fundraising & Strategy
Develop and implement annual fundraising plan and calendar
Grow support from individual donors, businesses, and foundations
Secure sponsorships and in-kind contributions
Donor Relations & Stewardship
Cultivate and steward donor relationships
Coordinate acknowledgements and ongoing engagement
Support Executive Director with donor outreach, meetings, and follow-up
Major Gifts & Planned Giving
Build strategies for major and multi-year gifts
Promote legacy giving (bequests, trusts, donor-advised funds)
Grants & Institutional Funding
Research, write, and manage grant proposals
Maintain funder relationships and reporting
Communications & Events
Lead fundraising communications (appeals, newsletters, annual report)
Coordinate storytelling and impact messaging
Plan key events including Annual Gala and Discovery Tours
Operations
Manage donor database
Oversee gift processing, reporting, and donor data accuracy
Qualifications
3+ years of experience in nonprofit development or fundraising
Experience with grant writing, donor stewardship, and fundraising campaigns Strong writing, communication, and relationship-building skills
Experience with donor databases or systems (GiveButter or similar)
Strong organizational and project management abilities
Experience in small nonprofit or community-based organizations preferred
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