Development Director: Build a Scalable Fundraising Engine

Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint John Institute seeks a Development Director to build and lead its development engine, reporting to the COO. This senior role steers fundraising strategy, donor pathways, and campaigns to grow giving in a mission-driven Catholic organization.

You will partner with the President and senior leaders to formalize operations, improve reporting, and create durable donor engagement that scales beyond founder-driven efforts.

Qualifications

• Meaningful experience in development, advancement, fundraising, donor strategy, or related field.
• Experience building or strengthening a fundraising function.
• Experience creating or improving annual giving strategy, donor stewardship, major gifts processes, or campaigns.
• Experience with donor databases, CRM tools, reporting systems, and fundraising operations.
• Experience partnering with a founder, president, or senior executive in a visible development role.

Responsibilities

• Build and formalize the development program to sustain growth.
• Create clearer donor pathways for annual, mid-level, major, and pillar-level giving.
• Lead development planning, reporting, and donor movement with transparency.
• Strengthen the development infrastructure and align with mission and strategy.
• Collaborate with leadership and donors to expand gifts and impact.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Donor relations

Nonprofit leadership

CRM & fundraising tools

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management or related field

Tools

Kindful

KEAP

Job description

Saint John Institute seeks a Development Director to build and lead its development engine, reporting to the COO. This senior role steers fundraising strategy, donor pathways, and campaigns to grow giving in a mission-driven Catholic organization.

You will partner with the President and senior leaders to formalize operations, improve reporting, and create durable donor engagement that scales beyond founder-driven efforts.