Director of Development

Position Overview

The Director of Development (DoD) will be based in Indiana, with required statewide and some national travel. The DoD will serve as a senior fundraising leader responsible for growing philanthropic revenue through individual giving, corporate partnerships, and strategic fundraising initiatives.

This position works closely with the Chief Development & Communications Officer (CDCO) to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies that support Foster Success’s strategic priorities and long-term sustainability.

The ideal candidate is a highly relational fundraiser who excels at being donor-centered, a self-starter in identifying opportunities, building meaningful partnerships, crafting compelling cases for support, and securing transformational investments.

This role reports directly to the Chief Development & Communications Officer (CDCO). This position supervises the Assistant Director of Donor Relations.

Primary Responsibilities

Individual Giving

Lead the Individual Giving program and manage a portfolio of donors and prospects.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors with gift-making capacity up to $10,000 annually.
Develop and execute individualized donor engagement strategies with the Assistant Director of Donor Relations.
Conduct regular donor meetings to move donors through the donor cycle process.
Partner with the CDCO on major gift solicitations and leadership-level donor strategies.
Identify opportunities to upgrade annual donors into major gift supporters.
Support planned giving identification and relationship development.

Corporate & Community Partnerships

Develop and manage relationships with corporate partners and community organizations.
Identify sponsorship, volunteer engagement, cause-marketing, and philanthropic opportunities.
Create customized partnership proposals aligned with Foster Success priorities.
Lead sponsorship strategy and revenue generation for organizational events and initiatives.
Steward corporate relationships throughout the year through impact reporting, recognition, and engagement opportunities.
Represent Foster Success within the business community and professional associations.

Team Leadership & Strategy

Supervise and support the Assistant Director of Donor Relations.
Establish, with support from the CDCO, annual fundraising goals for Individual and Corporate giving, performance metrics, and professional development plans.
Support the Asst. Director of Donor Relations in establishing goals and performance metrics on donor retention, donor relations/stewardship, and volunteer engagement.
Partner with the CDCO to establish fundraising priorities, strategies, and revenue goals.
Contribute to annual budget development and revenue forecasting.
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and donor-centered philanthropy both internally and externally.
Embrace innovation, thoughtful risk-taking, and continuous improvement.

Stewardship & Engagement

Support the Assistant Director of Donor Relations in developing and overseeing comprehensive stewardship strategies that improve donor retention and lifetime value.
Support the Assistant Director of Donor Relations in the planning and execution of events.
Ensure timely donor acknowledgment, reporting, and impact communications.
Partner with the Program and Marketing & Communications teams to create compelling donor-facing content.
Utilize storytelling, program outcomes, and participant experiences to demonstrate impact.

Data Management & Fundraising Operations

Maintain accurate donor records and prospect activity within Salesforce and Tableau.
Monitor fundraising performance and pipeline activity.
Analyze donor trends and giving patterns to inform strategy, and pivot when needed.
Support the Asst. Director of Donor Relations in preparing fundraising reports and dashboards for leadership and board review.
Ensure compliance with organizational policies and ethical fundraising standards.

Position Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
Minimum 5–7 years of progressive fundraising experience.
Demonstrated success in individual giving and managing donor portfolios.
Experience cultivating corporate and foundation partnerships.
Experience supervising staff and managing fundraising goals.
Experience in speaking to small and large groups conveying mission and needed support.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience with CRM systems, preferably Salesforce.
Ability to work independently while collaborating across departments.

Preferred

CFRE or CFRM credential or pursuit of certification.
Experience working with youth-serving organizations.
Experience managing comprehensive fundraising programs.
Knowledge of planned giving and donor-advised funds.
Experience in sponsorship development and grant management.

All Foster Success employees are required to:

Display a strong commitment to the inclusion of all individuals in the workplace.
Adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the Foster Success employment agreements and the organizational Handbook, including all confidentiality requirements for all client information.
Proficiency in computer skills and experience with and knowledge of relevant software, particularly Salesforce, Zoom, Google, and Microsoft Products.
Have access to a secure and reliable internet connection.
Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes some weekends and/or evenings in order to meet responsibilities of this position and organizational goals.
Must have reliable transportation for work-related travel.
All team members are required to pass a background check and undergo fingerprint screening.

Competencies

Candidates will be evaluated on the following competencies during the selection process, reflecting our values of Equity & Inclusion, Innovation, Impact, and Collaboration:

Relationship-Based FundraisingBuilds authentic relationships with donors, corporate partners, foundations, volunteers, and community leaders. Creates meaningful opportunities for supporters to connect with Foster Success’s mission and impact.

Fundraising Strategy & Revenue GrowthDevelops and executes strategies to grow individual giving, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, foundation support, and other philanthropic revenue. Identifies opportunities, manages donor pipelines, and helps advance long-term sustainability. Successfully manage multiple priorities, donor portfolios, and special projects while meeting deadlines and maintaining a high level of organization an attention to detail.

Equity & InclusionApproaches fundraising with a commitment to equity. Ensures donor engagement and fundraising practices honor the dignity, strengths, and lived experiences of young people with foster care experience.

Leadership & CollaborationProvides clear direction, coaching, and accountability to development staff. Works closely with program, finance, marketing and communications, and executive leadership to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities.

Data, Strategy & Problem-SolvingUses donor data, giving trends, and revenue projections to inform fundraising strategy. Maintains strong systems, accurate records, and ethical fundraising practices while bringing creativity and a solutions-focused approach to new opportunities.

Foster Success

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Director of Development