Director of Development

LifeAct of Northeast Ohio; Chardon (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

LifeAct of Northeast Ohio is seeking an experienced Director of Development to lead fundraising efforts, build a sustainable revenue base, and work closely with the CEO, Board, and development team to grow major gifts, individual giving, corporate partnerships, annual campaigns, planned giving, and events.

The role focuses on cultivating relationships, making asks, and generating revenue for LifeAct's mission to prevent suicide and support youth mental health.

Qualifications

• 5+ years nonprofit fundraising experience or related field.
• Proven success cultivating donors and securing philanthropic gifts.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with individual giving, annual campaigns, major gifts, or corporate partnerships.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• A genuine passion for youth mental health and suicide prevention.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors and major gift prospects.
• Manage an active portfolio of donors and conduct cultivation meetings and gift solicitations.
• Develop strategies to acquire new donors, increase retention, and grow individual giving.
• Partner with the CEO on major gift opportunities and significant donor relationships.
• Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan with clear revenue goals and measurable outcomes.
• Lead LifeAct's Annual Fund and strategies to increase unrestricted support.
• Identify opportunities to diversify revenue and expand philanthropic partnerships.
• Relaunch and grow LifeAct's planned and legacy giving program.
• Monitor fundraising performance and adjust strategies to achieve goals.

Skills

Relationship building

Donor cultivation

Major gifts

Fundraising strategy

Communications

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

LifeAct is a Northeast Ohio nonprofit dedicated to preventing suicide by educating young people to recognize the warning signs of suicide and seek professional help for themselves and others. Through school-based suicide prevention and stress management programs, LifeAct provides students with critical knowledge and tools to support their mental health and connect with help when needed.

Last school year, LifeAct reached more than 35,000 students in 136 schools, helping young people recognize when they or someone they know may need support.

As demand for our programs continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced fundraising professional to help strengthen and expand the philanthropic partnerships that make this work possible.

About the Opportunity

LifeAct is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven Director of Development to lead our fundraising efforts and help build a sustainable, diversified revenue base.

This is an exciting opportunity for a hands‑on fundraiser who enjoys meeting people, building meaningful relationships, and securing philanthropic support for a mission that matters.

Working closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and development team, the Director will lead major gifts, individual giving, corporate partnerships, annual fundraising campaigns, planned giving, and event fundraising.

LifeAct has established support for grant writing, donor database management, gift processing, acknowledgments, and reporting. We're looking for someone who can build on that foundation by focusing on what they do best: cultivating relationships, making the ask, and generating revenue.

What You'll Do

Build Relationships & Secure Gifts

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors and major gift prospects.
• Manage an active portfolio of donors and personally conduct cultivation meetings and gift solicitations.
• Develop strategies to acquire new donors, increase retention, and grow individual giving.
• Partner with the CEO on major gift opportunities and significant donor relationships.
• Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan with clear revenue goals and measurable outcomes.
• Lead LifeAct's Annual Fund and strategies to increase unrestricted support.
• Identify opportunities to diversify revenue and expand philanthropic partnerships.
• Relaunch and grow LifeAct's planned and legacy giving program.
• Monitor fundraising performance and adjust strategies to achieve goals.

Grow Corporate & Foundation Partnerships

• Cultivate corporate sponsors, business leaders, and community funding partners.
• Develop opportunities for businesses to invest in LifeAct's mission and programs.
• Strengthen relationships with foundations and institutional funders.
• Collaborate with our Development Specialist to support grant opportunities, proposals, and foundation stewardship.

Support Events & Community Engagement

• Provide fundraising leadership for LifeAct's signature events, including Links for Life and Move for Mental Health.
• Develop sponsorship strategies and secure event support.
• Work with volunteers, committees, and community partners to maximize fundraising success.
• Provide leadership and direction to the development team.
• Partner with the CEO to engage Board members in fundraising and donor cultivation.
• Establish clear fundraising priorities, goals, and accountability.
• Build a collaborative, results-oriented approach to philanthropy across the organization.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, major gifts, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated success cultivating donors and personally securing philanthropic gifts.
• Strong relationship‑building and interpersonal skills.
• Confidence in making financial asks and engaging donors in meaningful conversations.
• Experience with individual giving, annual campaigns, major gifts, or corporate partnerships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to develop fundraising strategies and translate them into measurable results.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Experience working with nonprofit Boards and volunteers preferred.
• Experience leading or coordinating a small team preferred.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• A genuine passion for youth mental health and suicide prevention.

You’ll Thrive at LifeAct If You...

• Love meeting people and building authentic relationships.
• Are energized by fundraising and comfortable asking for support.
• Take initiative and follow through on opportunities.
• Can think strategically while remaining actively involved in the work.
• Enjoy collaborating with a small, dedicated team.
• Are motivated by goals, accountability, and measurable results.
• Want your work to have a direct and meaningful impact on young people's lives.

Why Join LifeAct?

At LifeAct, your work will directly support programs that help young people recognize the warning signs of suicide and connect with professional help.

You’ll join a mission‑driven organization with an established community presence, strong philanthropic relationships, and significant opportunities for growth.

This role offers the opportunity to work closely with organizational leadership, develop meaningful relationships throughout Northeast Ohio, and play an important part in LifeAct's long‑term sustainability.

If you’re a fundraiser who loves building relationships, making meaningful asks, and seeing the impact of your work, we’d love to hear from you.

LifeAct is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds.