Development Director: Lead Fundraising & Growth

Blue Ridge Humane; Hendersonville (NC); On-site; USD 62,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Ridge Humane Society in Hendersonville, NC seeks a Development Director to lead fundraising efforts, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, donor stewardship, corporate partnerships, grants, and events. This role reports to the Executive Director and participates as a member of the leadership team.

Responsibilities include developing comprehensive fundraising strategies, managing staff and budget, cultivating donor relationships, and driving revenue growth to sustain the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience preferred.
• Minimum four years of progressively responsible professional fundraising experience, including major gift cultivation and solicitation; prior staff supervision or leadership preferred.
• Experience with donor databases and fundraising technology (DonorPerfect preferred) and email marketing platforms (Constant Contact preferred).

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual fundraising plan aligned with organizational priorities, budgeted revenue goals, and long-term sustainability.
• Lead fundraising strategies for major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate partnerships, grants, and special events.
• Establish measurable goals, performance indicators, revenue projections, and departmental priorities; adjust strategies based on results.
• Identify opportunities to diversify revenue, acquire and retain donors, and increase long-term philanthropic support.
• Build and expand the planned giving program with cultivation and stewardship of bequest prospects.
• Supervise and support development staff through coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations.
• Coordinate departmental priorities, workloads, timelines, and collaboration across fundraising, donor relations, events, and communications.
• Foster a respectful and collaborative departmental culture aligned with BRHS values.
• Develop and maintain procedures, workflows, and systems for efficiency and accuracy.
• Collaborate with other departments to advance organization-wide priorities and ensure effective communication.
• Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, including cultivation and solicitation.
• Develop strategies for donor identification, acquisition, retention, upgrades, and recognition.
• Improve donor experience and stewardship practices to optimize retention.
• Ensure timely acknowledgments and confidentiality of donor information.
• Represent BRHS at donor meetings and community events.
• Provide strategic oversight of fundraising events and sponsorships; evaluate outcomes.
• Coordinate with Marketing on donor communications and appeals.
• Oversee budget management and financial reporting for the department.
• Monitor fundraising performance, donor retention, and ROI.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Fundraising strategy

Donor relations

Public speaking

Relationship management

Budget management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

DonorPerfect

Constant Contact

Job description

Blue Ridge Humane Society in Hendersonville, NC seeks a Development Director to lead fundraising efforts, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, donor stewardship, corporate partnerships, grants, and events. This role reports to the Executive Director and participates as a member of the leadership team.

Responsibilities include developing comprehensive fundraising strategies, managing staff and budget, cultivating donor relationships, and driving revenue growth to sustain the