Development Director

Guiding Star Wakota; West Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Guiding Star Wakota in West St. Paul, MN seeks a Development Director to build donor relationships, lead fundraising strategy, and coordinate events and grants.

This is an individual contributor role reporting to the Executive Director; responsibilities include donor stewardship, grant coordination, data management in Salesforce, and collaborating with Marketing.

Qualifications

• Three+ years of nonprofit fundraising or development experience.
• Ability to build authentic donor relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication across channels.
• Experience planning and leading fundraising events.
• Proficient with donor data management and CRM systems.

Responsibilities

• Build and sustain donor relationships with current and prospective donors.
• Develop and execute a focused, sustainable fundraising program.
• Lead fundraising for the annual Gala, including sponsorship development.
• Coordinate grant proposals and manage deadlines.
• Collaborate with Executive Director, Marketing, and program staff.
• Maintain Salesforce donor data and provide progress updates.
• Expand community engagement with donors, businesses, churches and partners.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Event planning

Communication

Salesforce CRM

Canva

Tools

Salesforce CRM

Canva

Job description

Development Director

Guiding Star Wakota | Full-Time | West St. Paul, Minnesota

About Guiding Star Wakota

Guiding Star Wakota provides women and families compassionate care, empowering them to choose life and supporting them on the parenting journey. We are seeking a relationship-driven, results-oriented Development Director who is passionate about our mission and enjoys connecting people to meaningful work.

This is an opportunity for a fundraiser who believes that strong relationships are at the heart of sustainable philanthropy. Working closely with the Executive Director and Marketing & Communications, you will cultivate donor relationships, inspire generosity, and help grow the resources that make our mission possible. Training and support will be provided.

About the Position

The Development Director is responsible for building and strengthening relationships with current and prospective donors while helping develop and execute a focused, sustainable fundraising program. This individual contributor role combines relationship-building, fundraising strategy, event leadership, grant coordination, and donor data management.

This position reports to the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities :

• -Donor Relationships & Fundraising
• - Build meaningful relationships with current and prospective donors through personal meetings, calls, tours, events, and ongoing engagement.
• - Cultivate, solicit, thank, and steward donors, with an emphasis on retaining and growing existing support.
• - Identify opportunities to increase giving through individual, monthly, gala, mid-level, major, endowment and legacy gifts.
• - Maintain an active pipeline of prospective, current, and lapsed donors, with clear follow-up plans.
• - Partner with the Executive Director on major-donor relationships, meetings, and solicitations.
• - Fundraising Events & Campaigns
• - Help develop and implement an annual fundraising plan aligned with organizational goals and budget.
• - Take a lead role in fundraising for the annual Guiding Star Wakota Gala, particularly sponsorship development and follow-up.
• - Develop and execute year-end fundraising efforts and support other appeals and campaigns throughout the year.
• - Evaluate fundraising events and apply lessons learned to strengthen future efforts.
• - Collaborate with Marketing & Communications on donor-focused stories, appeals, and fundraising materials.
• -Grant Research & Coordination:
• - Research grant opportunities aligned with Guiding Star Wakota’s mission, programs, and funding priorities.
• - Coordinate grant proposals, supporting materials, and submissions in collaboration with the Executive Director, program staff, and Senior Bookkeeper.
• - Maintain a grant calendar and track application deadlines, reporting requirements, renewals, and grant deliverables.
• - Coordinate timely funder updates, reporting, and stewardship.
• Community Engagement & Collaboration:
• - Expand relationships with donors, businesses, churches, community partners, and other supporters.
• - Partner with the Executive Director to engage board members in identifying and introducing prospective donors and sponsors.
• - Turn introductions into meaningful relationships through thoughtful cultivation and follow-up.
• -Donor Data & Accountability:
• - Maintain accurate donor and prospect information, commitments, interactions, and next steps in Salesforce.
• - Track fundraising activity and results, using donor data to identify opportunities for stronger engagement, retention, and increased giving.
• - Provide regular updates to the Executive Director on fundraising progress, goals, opportunities, and priorities.

What You Will Bring:

• - At least three years of nonprofit fundraising or development experience, preferably including foundation and major donor fundraising.
• - A genuine enjoyment of people and the ability to build authentic, lasting relationships.
• - Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with passion and empathy in person, by phone, and through print and digital channels.
• - Experience planning, leading, and executing events for diverse audiences.
• - Strong organizational, problem-solving, collaboration, and project-management skills.
• - Initiative, self-motivation, and reliable follow-through.
• - Advanced computer, data management, CRM (Salesforce), and design (Canva) proficiency.
• - A willingness to attend offsite events, provide your own transportation, and move event equipment as needed.
• - A commitment to Guiding Star Wakota’s mission, statement of faith, and values.
• - Experience in sales, relationship management, business development, or community engagement is also valuable.

What Makes This Opportunity Meaningful?

At Guiding Star Wakota, fundraising is about more than raising money. It is about building genuine relationships with people who care about our mission and helping them understand the difference their generosity makes for women and families.

The Development Director will play an important role in strengthening these relationships, expanding community support, and building a sustainable future for our work.

Position Details

Position: Development Director

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Guiding Star Wakota, 1140 Robert Street South, West St. Paul, MN 55118

Reports To: Executive Director

To learn more about Guiding Star Wakota, visit GuidingStarWakota.org.

Guiding Star Wakota is committed to advancing its mission of providing compassionate care to women and families and supporting them on the parenting journey.