Director of Development

The American Council; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Council is seeking a Director of Development to build a unified fundraising system and grow our donor base in support of our mission. You will work with the President to expand relationships with major supporters and ensure gifts are receipted accurately, enabling leadership to engage in high-impact conversations.

You will lead major gifts, fundraising strategy, and a growing pipeline of supporters while stewarding donor relations across monthly giving, foundations, and political

Qualifications

• 5+ years in nonprofit fundraising with a track record of securing major gifts.
• Experience with donor CRM systems and moves management.
• Familiarity with nonprofit and political fundraising, or a willingness to learn quickly.
• A heart for the Church and for faithful civic engagement.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage the major donor pipeline, preparing the President for personal asks with top supporters.
• Grow monthly giving, donor-advised fund gifts, and foundation grants.
• Steward a focused group of advocacy and political supporters, including election-season giving.
• Lead the annual gala and year-end campaign.
• Ensure every gift is accurately received and receipted, working with the finance and compliance manager.

Skills

Major gifts

Donor CRM

Moves management

Nonprofit fundraising

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

The Director of Development builds a single, sustainable fundraising system for The American Council family: one compelling story, one clear plan, and a growing base of committed supporters. You will grow our donor base, deepen relationships with our most committed supporters, and free the President to focus on the conversations only he can have.

Performance requirement: Raise at least 2.5 times your annual salary in new and renewed gifts each year, measured against an annual fundraising plan agreed with the President.

What you'll do

• Build and manage the major donor pipeline, preparing the President for personal asks with top supporters
• Grow monthly giving, donor-advised fund gifts, and foundation grants
• Steward a focused group of advocacy and political supporters, including election-season giving
• Lead the annual gala and year-end campaign
• Ensure every gift is accurately received and receipted, working with the finance and compliance manager

What you bring

• 5+ years in nonprofit fundraising with a track record of securing major gifts
• Experience with donor CRM systems and moves management
• Familiarity with nonprofit and political fundraising, or a willingness to learn quickly
• A heart for the Church and for faithful civic engagement

The American Council is empowering people to think and lead well.

The American Council equips people of faith with the moral clarity, courage, and conviction to think and lead well in public life.

We train candidates. We form leaders. We mobilize voters. We equip houses of worship. We bring principled thinking into the political discourse shaping the nation.

America is tired of tribal politics and performative outrage. Faithful citizens have too often abdicated the public square. Christian civic engagement isn't a political strategy. It's a moral responsibility. Faithful Citizens. Courageous Leaders. A Stronger America.

Public Responsibility Toward
the Common Good.