Church & Society looks for director of development

greatplainsumc; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) in Washington, DC, seeks a Director of Development to lead comprehensive fundraising strategies, donor cultivation, grant development, and digital engagement for its public policy and social justice work.

With 4–6 years of nonprofit fundraising experience and a strong communications background, you will manage donor relations, budgets, and grant reporting, traveling as needed to advance initiatives aligned with the church’s Social Principles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master’s preferred in nonprofit fields.
• 4 to 6 years of experience in development or fundraising.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of best practices in nonprofit fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Experience managing donor pipelines and sustaining donor engagement.
• Digital communications skills, including social media collaboration.
• Experience researching, writing, and securing awarded grants.
• Knowledge of grant compliance, reporting, and fund stewardship requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage comprehensive fundraising strategies to sustain and grow support for GBCS.
• Cultivate, steward, and maintain donor relationships for long-term engagement.
• Research, write, submit, and manage grant proposals; ensure compliance and reporting.
• Lead and support fundraising campaigns and manage budgets.
• Coordinate development activities with colleagues, including events and donor mailings.
• Support advisory input and staff liaison with the Development Advisor Committee.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Digital communications

Grant writing

Grant management

Research

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Church & Society looks for director of development

10/1/2026

The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) of The United Methodist Church announces a search and invites applications for the Director of Development position. The Director of Development is responsible for planning, executing, and managing comprehensive fundraising strategies to strengthen and sustain financial support for the work and ministry of the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS). GBCS is dedicated to living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace. Located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and in New York City, GBCS is the social justice and public policy agency of The United Methodist Church. GBCS is responsible for advocating for the denomination’s Social Principles and providing an outward-facing witness in the public policy arena. The Director of Development leads efforts in donor cultivation and stewardship, grant development, fundraising campaigns, digital engagement, and budget management. The Director works collaboratively across teams to advance development initiatives in alignment with the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, implement, and manage comprehensive fundraising strategies to sustain and grow financial support for the work and ministry of GBCS.
• Cultivate, steward, and maintain relationships with individual donors and funding partners to ensure long-term donor engagement and sustainability.
• Research, write, submit, and manage grant proposals to foundations and funding institutions. Ensure compliance with grant requirements, manage awarded funds, and complete all required reporting to support organizational priorities.
• Lead and support fundraising initiatives, including special campaigns.
• Develop, manage, and monitor fundraising budgets to ensure financial accountability and alignment with organizational goals.
• Coordinate development-related activities with coworkers, including events and donor mailings.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Development Advisor Committee by preparing reports, sharing updates, and supporting advisory and strategic input.
• Support digital engagement efforts related to development, including donor communications, social media collaboration, and coordinated messaging to strengthen donor awareness and participation.
• Analyze fundraising performance, prepare reports, and independently resolve varied and non-routine development challenges. Recommend improvements and strategies that strengthen fundraising outcomes and organizational effectiveness.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred. Fields of study may include Nonprofit Management/Leadership, Public Administration, Communications, or related disciplines.
• 4 to 6 years of experience in development and/or fundraising, donor relations and stewardship, grant writing, and grant management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of best practices in nonprofit fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Experience managing donor pipelines and sustaining donor engagement.
• Digital communications skills, including collaboration on social media and donor communications.
• Demonstrated experience researching, writing, and securing awarded grants.
• Knowledge of grant compliance, reporting, and fund stewardship requirements.
• Comfort working in an advisory capacity with committees and senior leadership.
• Functional knowledge of The United Methodist Church.
• Willingness and ability to travel as required for the position.
• Residence in Washington D.C. is required.

Closing Date: October 29, 2026 GBCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.

Contact: William Parker

Address:100 Maryland Ave N.E. Washington, D.C. DC 20002