Development Director

Friends of the Children - Dallas; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Friends of the Children - Dallas is seeking a Development Director to drive fundraising goals in the Dallas chapter, working with the Executive Director, Board, and National network to realize fiscal targets and mission values.

The role includes developing plans, cultivating major gifts, managing grants, and coordinating with staff to raise donor visibility and support. Strong leadership and strategic communication are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 7 years equivalent experience required.
• Proven success securing and stewarding major gifts and donor engagement.
• Ability to partner with executive leadership and board to advance fundraising goals.
• Experience building sustainable fundraising pipelines and stewardship strategies.

Responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate donors including individuals, corporations and foundations.
• Revise and implement development plans and strategies to elevate fundraising.
• Prepare and manage grants, reports, and donor communications with National Grant Writing team.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor Cultivation

Project Management

Strategic Planning

Communication

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or 7 years equivalent experience

Job description

Our Development Director will be instrumental in accomplishing the fundraising goals of the Dallas chapter. They will work alongside our Executive Director (ED), the Board of Directors (more specifically the Development Chair), with support from our staff and Friends and in coordination with the rest of the Friends National network, to actualize the organization’s fiscal goals and values.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Passion for serving youth facing the most challenging situations
• Work effectively – with ED, Board, and independently -- to identify and cultivate donors including individuals, corporations and foundations
• Support the ED and Development Chair with revising and implementing a development plan, systems and strategies as necessary to move our fundraising to the next level
• Perform prospect research on individuals, corporations, and foundations evaluate prospects for corporate and foundation grants
• Demonstrate and create processes for showing gratitude in timely, appropriate, and delightful ways
• Actively participate in aspects of planning, budgeting, and managing the growth and development of the organization through philanthropy
• In partnership with the team, plan and implement events each year
• Excellent organization, time management, delegation and follow-up skills
• Coordinate with ED and board on revenue targets and achievements
• Plan and execute special funding opportunities (North Texas Giving Day, end-of-year-end appeal, Annual Report, etc.)
• Collaborate with Operations Manager on a basic communications plan that will focus on educating and raising visibility for donors and prospects. This should include social media channels and electronic newsletters
• Familiarity with state, local, and national philanthropic, governmental, and business communities
• Ability to research, prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals and reports and in collaboration with National Grant Writing team.
• Make, and in some cases attend, appointments with/for ED with foundation officers and other prospects, arrange for onsite tours for supporters (foundation officers, foundation trustees)
• Prepare timely, specific, and relevant materials for development meetings and conversations
• Identify and utilize creative methods for gathering stories from Friends to be shared as appropriate
• Strive to ensure that organization’s commitment to equity is reflected in all decisions, communications, and processes

Essential Skills and Abilities:

• Be willing and able to attend and actively participate in team meetings, staff functions, and development events
• Possess commitment to extreme attention to detail, including but not limited to ability to implement self-checking procedures for data entry, produce accurate correspondence and reports, and produce and edit written materials accurately and consistently
• Have excellent project management and organizational skills to routinely manage and prioritize daily work and meet multiple deadlines simultaneously, especially during high-volume times of the year
• Demonstrate ability to work independently as well as in a team setting
• Have a passion for serving youth facing the most challenging situations
• Be a self-starter with high level of initiative and willingness to learn
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Be social media savvy

Required Education, Experience, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree or 7 years equivalent experience required
• Demonstrated success securing and stewarding major gifts through strategic identification, cultivation, solicitation, and long-term donor engagement resulting in measurable revenue growth.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with executive leadership and board members to advance fundraising goals, activate networks, and strengthen a culture of philanthropy.
• Track record of building and managing sustainable fundraising pipelines, including prospect identification, moves management, donor segmentation, and stewardship strategies that increase donor acquisition, retention, and giving levels.
• Evidence of creating and executing development strategies that translate relationship-building efforts into philanthropic investment and long-term organizational support.
• Demonstrated success using data and donor insights to prioritize opportunities, manage fundraising performance, and achieve annual development goals.
• Experience establishing development infrastructure, systems, and processes that support scalable fundraising growth.