Development Director

Big River Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance (BREADA)

Baton Rouge (LA)

On-site

USD 50,000 - 70,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement matching

Phone allowance

Paid holidays

Job summary

Big River Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance (BREADA) is seeking a Development Director in Baton Rouge to lead fundraising, donor engagement, and multi-year campaigns tied to its 30th anniversary. The role collaborates with an Executive Director, board, and grant writer to grow philanthropy and impact.

Candidates will drive individual giving, major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and events, while strengthening BREADA’s donor stewardship and communications.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; 5+ years of nonprofit development experience.
Proven ability to create and execute fundraising plans with measurable outcomes.
Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, including major gifts.
Strong relationship-building, writing, and presentation skills.
Excellent organizational skills; able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Experience with fundraising databases and donor management systems.
Experience supervising staff and working with boards/volunteers.
Ability to work independently while collaborating with a small team.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute annual and multi-year fundraising plans aligned with mission and goals.
Build and manage a portfolio of donors and major gifts; steward relationships.
Lead grants, campaigns, and events, including Farm Fête and anniversary initiatives.
Oversee donor communications, impact reporting, and storytelling.
Strengthen fundraising culture across the organization and train board members.

Skills

Donor relations

Fundraising strategy

Donor stewardship

Project management

Communication

Storytelling

Public speaking

Organizational skills

Relationship building

Event planning

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

CRM/donor databases

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM/donor databases

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Development Director

Job Type: Full-time, In-person

Are you energized by building relationships, sharing compelling stories, and helping people see how their generosity can strengthen our community?

BREADA is seeking a Development Director to lead our fundraising and donor engagement efforts as we approach our 30th anniversary. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of an established organization with a demonstrated history of supporting farmers, increasing food access, and building community.

About Big River Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance (BREADA)

Founded in 1996, BREADA works to build a healthy, strong, and resilient local food system through farmers markets, education, nutrition incentive programs, policy advocacy, and direct support for local producers. BREADA currently operates four Red Stick Farmers Market locations, Main Street Market, and a range of programs supporting local food access and producers.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director, you will create and execute BREADA’s overall fundraising strategy, building the relationships and resources needed to sustain and grow our impact.

You will work closely with the Executive Director, Board, Development & Communications Coordinator, and Grant Writer across individual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, grants, sponsorships, donor stewardship, annual campaigns, and special events.

A key priority will be leading a multi-year fundraising initiative tied to BREADA’s 30th anniversary, celebrating our history while investing in our future.

What You’ll Do

Fundraising Strategy

Create, manage, and execute an annual and multi-year fundraising plan aligned with BREADA’s mission, strategic priorities, and financial goals.
Establish fundraising goals and measures of success; track progress and regularly report results to the Executive Director and Board.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive fundraising calendar encompassing individual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, grants, annual campaigns, and special events.
Identify new opportunities to diversify and grow BREADA’s philanthropic support.
Plan, coordinate, and facilitate internal and external meetings and communications.

Build Meaningful Donor Relationships

Cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, foundation, and major-gift donors.
Develop and manage a portfolio of prospective and current major donors, creating individualized strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Create meaningful donor experiences that deepen supporters’ connection to BREADA’s mission and impact.
Work with the Executive Director and Board to identify, cultivate, and strengthen key donor and community relationships.

Lead Grants, Campaigns & Events

Partner with BREADA’s Grant Writer to identify funding opportunities and coordinate grant development, deadlines, deliverables, and reporting.
Lead fundraising strategy for Farm Fête and BREADA’s 30th Anniversary.
Lead the implementation of a multi-year fundraising initiative to support organizational sustainability and growth.
Develop fundraising initiatives connected to key organizational milestones and community engagement opportunities.

Share BREADA’s Story

Guide development communications, including donor communications, newsletters, impact reports, and digital outreach, in partnership with the Development & Communications Coordinator.
Use program and fundraising data to clearly communicate BREADA’s impact and demonstrate the value of philanthropic support.
Help develop compelling stories that connect donors to the farmers, producers, families, and communities benefiting from BREADA’s work.
Ensure consistency in BREADA’s messaging, branding, and public presence.

Strengthen BREADA’s Fundraising Culture

Partner with the Executive Director and Board to build a strong culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
Provide Board members with the tools, training, and opportunities to participate effectively in fundraising and donor stewardship.
Supervise and mentor the Development & Communications Coordinator.
Build and maintain organized systems for donor information, communications, reporting, and follow-up.
Serve as a visible and enthusiastic ambassador for BREADA throughout the Baton Rouge community.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position based at BREADA’s downtown office, farmers markets, and community locations.

BREADA Staff are expected to:

Work two Saturdays per month at the Red Stick Farmers Market (Flex day is given the following Monday when a Saturday is worked).
Work occasional evening/weekend hours for events.
Occasionally lift 30+ pounds, stand for extended periods, and work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who combines fundraising expertise, strong relationship-building skills, strategic thinking, project management, and exceptional attention to detail.

Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of nonprofit development, fundraising, advancement, or related experience.
Demonstrated experience creating and executing fundraising plans with measurable outcomes.
Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, including major donors.
Strong relationship-building, writing, communication, and presentation skills.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, relationships, and follow-up.
Experience with fundraising databases, donor management systems, and reporting.
Experience supervising staff and working with nonprofit boards and volunteers.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a dynamic, small-team environment.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, donor database systems, and project management tools.
Passion for BREADA’s mission and local food systems.
Self-motivated, collaborative, adaptable, professional, trustworthy, and results-oriented.

BREADA values diverse experiences and perspectives. If you are excited about this opportunity but don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply.

BREADA Team Expectations

Commitment to and passion for the mission of BREADA
Great multitasker and capable of simultaneously managing multiple projects with different deadlines
Self-motivated, honest, punctual, dependable, friendly, flexible
Team player with the ability to contribute positively, take direction and work independently
Dress appropriately to work in various weather conditions while representing BREADA
While working during the farmers market, ability to lift 30+ pounds occasionally and work in extreme weather conditions while standing for long periods of time
Work well under pressure, easily adapting to a dynamic work environment
Work Monday through Friday at BREADA’s main office (or offsite locations), work seasonal markets on a rotational schedule, and work two Saturdays per month at the Red Stick Farmers Market (receiving a flex day for use within the same month)
All staff engaged with annual special events (i.e. Farm Fete, BREADA Anniversary)

Compensation & Full-Time Benefits