Development Director

Belleville Area Humane Society; Belleville (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Belleville Area Humane Society is seeking a strategic Development Director to lead and grow our fundraising program from the Belleville, IL region. You will partner with the Executive Director, Board, and staff to cultivate major gifts, grants, events, and donor stewardship while advancing animal welfare in the community.

The role requires a proven development leader, strong donor relations, and the ability to drive metrics, reports, and campaigns with integrity and passion for our mission.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising and development leadership.
• Experience managing fundraising events and donor engagement activities.
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
• Experience managing social media, digital communications, and marketing initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of donor CRM systems, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and database management.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational, project management, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to travel locally for donor meetings and events.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive annual fundraising plan.
• Build a diversified fundraising program: individual giving, major gifts, grants, events, and sponsorships.
• Monitor fundraising goals and prepare performance reports for leadership.
• Manage a portfolio of major donor prospects and cultivate relationships.
• Guide board and volunteers, and support fundraising committees.
• Oversee grants, proposals, reporting, and compliance.
• Lead marketing and communications to engage donors and the public.
• Oversee development operations and donor data integrity.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Collaborative leadership

Financial and analytical acumen

Excellent communication

Initiative and accountability

Adaptability & problem-solving

Integrity & confidentiality

Passion for animals & community

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Inspire Philanthropy. Build Community. Save Lives.

The Belleville Area Humane Society (BAHS) is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Development Director to lead and grow our fundraising program. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced nonprofit development professional who is passionate about animal welfare and eager to make a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of homeless animals and the people who love them.

As a key member of the leadership team, the Development Director will develop and execute a comprehensive annual fundraising strategy that supports a philanthropic budget of approximately one million dollars. Working in partnership with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and leadership team, this individual will cultivate meaningful relationships with donors, corporations, foundations, and community partners while overseeing fundraising events, donor stewardship, marketing initiatives, and development operations.

If you thrive on building relationships, creating fundraising strategies, and inspiring others to invest in a meaningful mission, we encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive annual fundraising plan to meet organizational revenue goals.
• Build and strengthen a diversified fundraising program that includes individual giving, major gifts, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation support, grants, planned giving, and special events.
• Establish measurable fundraising goals, monitor progress, and adjust strategies as needed.
• Prepare regular fundraising reports and performance metrics for the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Serve as a member of the leadership team, contributing to organizational planning and strategic initiatives.

Major Gifts & Donor Relations

• Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately sixty-five major donor prospects and current donors.
• Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for major gift donors.
• Partner with the Executive Director to coordinate donor meetings, cultivation activities, and solicitation strategies.
• Conduct prospect research to identify new individual, corporate, foundation, and government funding opportunities.
• Develop meaningful stewardship plans that strengthen long‑term donor relationships and increase philanthropic investment.
• Ensure timely donor recognition, gift acknowledgments, and stewardship communications.

Board & Volunteer Engagement

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to strengthen fundraising capacity.
• Support Board fundraising committees through planning, coaching, reporting, and strategic guidance.
• Assist Board members in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospective donors.
• Provide fundraising education and tools that increase Board engagement in philanthropy.

Grants & Institutional Giving

• Research, identify, and pursue grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Executive Medical Director, and program staff to develop competitive grant proposals.
• Manage multiple grant opportunities simultaneously throughout the full grant lifecycle, including research, writing, submission, reporting, compliance, and closeout.
• Prepare compelling narratives, budgets, statistical reports, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain grant calendars and ensure timely reporting requirements are met.

Events & Community Engagement

• Provide strategic oversight for all fundraising events.
• Supervise event planning, logistics, timelines, budgets, sponsorships, volunteer coordination, vendor management, and day‑of‑event operations.
• Support event committees, staff, volunteers, and Board members to maximize fundraising success.
• Evaluate event outcomes and recommend improvements for future events.

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee the organization's marketing and communications strategy to strengthen donor engagement and public awareness.
• Ensure consistent organizational branding across all communication channels.
• Oversee the organization's website and digital presence.
• Direct email marketing campaigns and donor communications.
• Oversee social media strategy and content planning.
• Coordinate the development and production of fundraising appeals, newsletters, annual campaigns, event materials, and other promotional publications.
• Collaborate with staff and outside vendors to produce high‑quality marketing materials.

Development Operations

• Oversee all donor database management and fundraising reporting.
• Ensure accurate gift entry, donor records, acknowledgments, and campaign tracking.
• Supervise and support the Development Associate in maintaining donor records, gift processing, reporting, and administrative functions.
• Utilize CRM systems to analyze donor trends, campaign performance, and fundraising effectiveness.
• Develop reports and dashboards that support organizational decision‑making.
• Ensure compliance with donor confidentiality and ethical fundraising standards.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinking and planning
• Relationship building and donor‑centered fundraising
• Collaborative leadership
• Financial and analytical acumen
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Initiative and accountability
• Adaptability and problem‑solving
• Professional integrity and confidentiality
• Passion for animal welfare and community engagement

Essential Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising and development leadership.
• Experience managing fundraising events and donor engagement activities.
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
• Experience managing social media, digital communications, and marketing initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of donor CRM systems, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and database management
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Exceptional organizational, project management, and analytical skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, Board members, and community partners.
• Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Belleville Area Humane Society
• Ability to attend evening and weekend fundraising events as needed.
• Ability to travel locally for donor meetings, community events, and partnership development.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, Philanthropy, Marketing, or a related field
• Five or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit development leadership
• Three or more years of major gift fundraising experience with demonstrated success cultivating and soliciting donors.
• Grant writing and grant management experience
• Experience supervising development staff.

Why Join BAHS?

At Belleville Area Humane Society, every donation helps save lives. Our team is passionate, collaborative, and committed to strengthening the bond between people and animals throughout our community. As Development Director, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of our organization while building meaningful relationships with supporters who make our mission possible.

If you are an experienced fundraising professional who enjoys strategic leadership, donor engagement, and creating lasting community impact, we invite you to apply.

Salary: $75,000 to $85,000 (Exempt)

Schedule: Full‑time, Monday‑Friday, in person at the Belleville Area Humane Society.