Director of Development

Elizabeth Freeman Center, Inc; Pittsfield (MA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Elizabeth Freeman Center in Berkshire County, MA seeks a strategic Director of Development to lead and grow its fundraising program. This hands-on role focuses on donor relations, major gifts, and building sustainable systems.

Based in Pittsfield with a 3-day in-office hybrid schedule, the DOD will partner with the Executive Director and Board to design a multi-year fundraising strategy, manage donor portfolios, and expand revenue across individual, corporate, and planned giving.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of nonprofit development with frontline fundraising experience.
• Ability to represent EFC with donors and prospects authentically.
• Experience managing donor portfolios and securing gifts at the 5-figure+ level.
• Experience building fundraising systems (CRM, stewardship, pipeline).
• Strong understanding of fundraising strategy, budgeting, metrics.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills.
• Experience working with boards, committees, and volunteers.
• Familiarity with planned giving preferred; willingness to build expertise.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, social justice-centered workplace culture.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors with tailored cultivation and stewardship strategies.
• Conduct donor meetings, calls, and solicitations; frontline fundraising role.
• Launch and grow planned and legacy giving initiatives.
• Plan and execute donor engagement events.
• Partner with the Executive Director to design multi-year fundraising strategy.
• Strengthen development infrastructure, CRM workflows, and pipeline tracking.
• Monitor metrics: revenue, donor retention, portfolio growth, activity.
• Identify and pursue new revenue opportunities across giving channels.
• Support and guide the Board in donor engagement and solicitation.

Skills

Donor relationship management

Frontline fundraising

Strategic planning

Communication

Data analysis

Board collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Donor analytics tools

Job description

Elizabeth Freeman Center seeks an entrepreneurial and mission-driven Director of Development to lead and grow its fundraising program.

About Elizabeth Freeman Center

Since 1974, the Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC) has been at the forefront of addressing domestic and sexual violence in Berkshire County, delivering essential services and advocacy to those impacted. EFC functions as both an emergency response and a critical support system, helping survivors find safety, regain stability, and begin rebuilding their lives.

EFC provides hope, support, and healing to anyone affected by domestic or sexual violence through free, confidential, and accessible services across Berkshire County, with offices in Pittsfield, Great Barrington and North Adams. Services include a 24/7 hotline, emergency shelter, pet foster care, counseling, and advocacy, including legal support.

Honoring the legacy of Elizabeth Freeman and the struggles of those who came before—and with future generations in mind, the Elizabeth Freeman Center envisions a world free from domestic and sexual violence, where everyone can live safely with dignity and justice.

For more information about Elizabeth Freeman Center, please visit https://elizabethfreemancenter.org.

About the Position

EFC is looking for a strategic, mission-driven Director of Development to lead and grow its fundraising efforts. This role is ideal for a hands-on development professional who is passionate about building meaningful donor relationships and strengthening the systems that support long-term growth.

The Director of Development (DOD) will oversee a diverse portfolio of donors across all giving levels, leading new prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies while helping shape the organization’s overall fundraising approach. Working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, the DOD will also evaluate and enhance key systems, including CRM infrastructure, donor communications, and pipeline management.

As EFC celebrates its 50th anniversary, this role offers a unique opportunity to drive day-to-day fundraising while helping support the organization’s future direction. The DOD will play a central role in increasing annual revenue, expanding and engaging the donor base, and positioning EFC for sustained impact in the years ahead.

Donor Engagement and Portfolio Management

• Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors with tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to build and sustain a major giving program
• Conduct regular donor meetings, calls, and solicitations; this is a frontline fundraising role
• Launch and grow planned and legacy giving initiatives
• Plan and execute donor engagement events, including cultivation events, donor receptions, etc.

Fundraising Strategy and Systems

• Partner with the Executive Director to design and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with EFC’s strategic plan
• Strengthen development infrastructure, including CRM systems, stewardship workflows, and pipeline tracking
• Monitor and report on key metrics (revenue, donor retention, portfolio growth, activity)
• Identify and pursue new revenue opportunities across individual, corporate, and planned giving
• Support and help guide the Board of Directors in their donor engagement and solicitation efforts

Campaigns & Communications

• Lead EFC fundraising campaigns, annual appeals, and donor events with clear revenue and engagement goals
• Collaborate on compelling donor communications, proposals, and impact reports
• Translate EFC’s mission and impact into meaningful opportunities for donor investment
• Support foundation grant efforts and relationships in collaboration with Executive Director

Qualifications

• 5+ years of nonprofit development experience with a strong track record in frontline fundraising
• Authentic ability to represent the work of EFC with donors and prospects
• Demonstrated success managing donor portfolios and securing gifts at the 5-figure+ level
• Experience building or improving fundraising systems (CRM, stewardship, pipeline management)
• Strong understanding of fundraising strategy, budgeting, and performance metrics
• Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills
• Ability to translate data and trends into actionable fundraising strategies
• Experience working with boards, committees, and volunteers
• Familiarity with planned giving preferred; willingness to build expertise required
• Commitment to fostering a workplace culture that appreciates cultural difference, and is trauma-informed and social justice-centered

Location & Logistics

This full-time hybrid position is based in Pittsfield, MA and requires a minimum of 3 days in the office. Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to Western Massachusetts.Preference will be given to candidates with experience working with donors in the region.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $100,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For more information, please visit www.developmentguild.com.