Development Specialist

Community Action Council Of Howard County Md; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 67,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) is seeking a Development Specialist to enhance CAC’s fundraising and community engagement efforts. You will manage donor portfolios and collaborate with the Director of Development to grow philanthropic support and visibility for CAC’s mission.

The role involves donor engagement, grant and campaign activities, event coordination, and maintaining confidential donor records. Strong writing and communication skills are essential to success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Three or more years of fundraising or development experience with direct donor contact.
• Demonstrated success managing a donor portfolio or similar relationship management function.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; ability to inspire and engage donors.
• Strong writing, proposal development, and presentation skills.
• Organized, goal-oriented, and able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong computer proficiency, especially with Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle during work hours.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 80-100 donors, with annual revenue and activity goals.
• Conduct proactive outreach, meetings, and stewardship touchpoints (in-person, phone, email, events).
• Develop customized engagement strategies and proposals for portfolio donors.
• Document all portfolio activity in the donor database (moves management).
• Assist in fundraising strategies including annual fund, major gifts, and capital campaigns.
• Research, identify, and qualify prospective donors (individuals, corporations, and foundations).
• Draft donor correspondence, stewardship reports, and impact communications.
• Maintain accurate donor records and track moves management activity in CRM database.
• Partner with the Director of Development to cultivate and solicit mid-level and major gift donors.
• Support capital campaign prospecting and pipeline development.
• Prepare donor briefings, proposals, and stewardship materials.
• Coordinate and participate in donor site visits and Food Bank/Head Start tours.
• Ensure timely acknowledgement, recognition, and follow-up with donors.
• Provide logistical and communications support for fundraising and community events.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Donor engagement

Public speaking

Proposal writing

Organization

Goal orientation

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in nonprofit management, communications, business, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

CRM databases

Canva / design skills

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: CAC Administrative Office - Columbia, MD 21046, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $66,965.00 - $92,197.00 Salary

Who We Are

At the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC), we have a mission to diminish poverty and enable self-sufficiency for all Howard County individuals, families, and children in need. We take action towards this mission by focusing on five critical services: housing assistance, food assistance, energy assistance, weatherization assistance, and early childhood education.

CAC impacts our local society by changing lives and helping create a pathway through and out of poverty or just providing a hand up when one is needed.

Who You Are

At CAC, the Development Specialist plays a vital role in advancing CAC’s fundraising and community engagement strategies. This position supports the execution of the organization’s annual fund, capital campaigns, donor stewardships, and event initiatives. The Development Specialist works closely with the Director of Development and CAC stakeholders to grow philanthropic support and community awareness for CAC’s mission. The Development Specialist will collaborate with the Public Relations Coordinator to ensure consistent brand identity, professional communications, and alignment with organizational goals and values. This position is best filled by an outgoing individual with excellent communication skills who can share CAC’s mission with others.

Donor Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of 80-100 individual and/or corporate donors, with specific annual revenue and activity goals.
• Conduct proactive outreach, meetings, and stewardship touchpoints (in-person, phone, email, events).
• Develop customized engagement strategies and proposals for portfolio donors.
• Document all portfolio activity in the donor database (moves management).

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Assist in implementing fundraising strategies, including annual fund, major gifts, capital campaign, and special initiatives.
• Research, identify, and qualify prospective donors (individuals, corporations, and foundations).
• Draft donor correspondence, stewardship reports, and impact communications.
• Maintain accurate donor records and track moves management activity in CRM database.
• Partner with the Director of Development to identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit mid-level and major gift donors.
• Support capital campaign prospecting and pipeline development.
• Prepare donor briefings, proposals, and stewardship materials.
• Coordinate and participate in donor site visits and Food Bank/Head Start tours.
• Ensure timely acknowledgement, recognition, and follow-up with donors.

Events & Campaigns

• Provide logistical and communications support for fundraising and community events in tandem with the development team.
• Assist with planning events in cooperation with CAC Leadership.
• Coordinate with staff, vendors, and volunteers to ensure seamless execution.
• Assist with sponsorship tracking and recognition.

Administration

• Maintain development databases and donor files with accuracy and confidentiality.
• Generate reports and dashboards to monitor fundraising progress.
• Support board committees and volunteer fundraising groups with materials and follow-up.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or related field; equivalent experience considered
• Three or more years of fundraising or development experience, including direct donor contact.
• Demonstrated success managing a donor portfolio or similar relationship management function.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; ability to inspire and engage donors.
• Strong writing, proposal development, and presentation skills.
• Organized, goal-oriented, and experience working in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong computer proficiency, especially with Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams.
• Valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle during work hours

Preferred Qualifications

• ProficiencywithCRMdatabasesandMicrosoftOfficeSuite;Canvaordesignskills.

What We Offer: CAC Benefits

E-Verify Notice: The Company participates in E-Verify. All new hires must complete Form I-9 and their employment eligibility will be confirmed through the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit: www.e-verify.gov