Director of Development

Ofallonchamber; Swansea (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

AgeSmart Community Resources is seeking a Director of Development to build and lead a comprehensive fundraising program across individual, corporate, foundation and event channels. You will align with the CEO and board to advance caregiver support, meals programs and crisis assistance, while expanding AgeSmart's donor network across seven counties.

You will manage a growing donor base, drive annual appeals, and secure sponsorships and major gifts.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of progressive fundraising experience with a track record of meeting revenue goals.
• Experience with major gifts and corporate/foundation fundraising.
• Strong grant writing and donor database stewardship skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of the fundraising plan and revenue goals.
• Run appeals, online campaigns, monthly giving and Giving Tuesday efforts.
• Steward donors, reengage lapsed donors, maintain donor database.
• Identify and cultivate major and leadership donors with CEO and board.
• Secure sponsorships for programs and events; build funder relationships.
• Contribute to grant proposals and manage foundation fundraising.
• Lead fundraising for the Annual Meeting and one major event yearly.
• Coordinate with grantees to strengthen the network and avoid duplication.
• Train board and volunteers in resource development; adhere to gift policies.

Skills

Fundraising

Major gifts

Grant writing

Donor databases

Events sponsorships

Relationship building

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

CFRE certification preferred

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

AgeSmart Community Resources

Job Opening

Position: Director of Development

Location: AgeSmart office, 7 Bronze Pointe South, Suite B, Swansea, Illinois, with travel across the seven-county region

Type: Full-time, exempt

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Pay Range: $75,000 to $80,000 per year, based on experience

Applications: Reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority consideration for applications received by November 13, 2026

About AgeSmart

AgeSmart Community Resources is the Area Agency on Aging for Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington Counties in southwestern Illinois. For more than 45 years, AgeSmart has served as a trusted regional leader in aging services, planning, advocacy and convening. Our mission is to enhance the lives of older adults, persons with disabilities and veterans through advocacy, action, and answers on aging. We fund and support a network of community partners and provide direct services, including support for family caregivers.

About the Role

The Director of Development is AgeSmart's first dedicated fundraiser and a member of the leadership team. You will build and lead a development program that brings in individual, corporate, foundation and event revenue to strengthen caregiver support, home delivered meals, direct help for people in crisis, and the network of partners AgeSmart serves. AgeSmart has a board-approved strategic plan, a written three-year fundraising plan, a base of about 2,000 contacts, an active social media presence, and a strong reputation for collaboration. You will have part-time administrative support and the full backing of the CEO and board.

What You Will Do

• Lead implementation of AgeSmart's fundraising plan, including annual revenue goals and monthly reports to the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors.
• Run three appeals a year, online funding requests, monthly giving and Giving Tuesday, including IRA charitable distribution and legacy giving messages.
• Steward donors, reactivate lapsed donors, and oversee cleanup and maintenance of the donor database.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major and leadership donors with the CEO and board members.
• Secure sponsorships for programs, awareness-month campaigns and events from employers, financial institutions, health systems and senior-care businesses.
• Set funder strategy and build relationships with foundations, corporate foundations and other funders, and contribute to grant proposals.
• Lead fundraising for the Annual Meeting and one major community event each year.
• Coordinate with AgeSmart's grantees so that fundraising strengthens the network and does not compete with it.
• Serve as staff liaison to the board development committee, and train board, Advisory Council and other volunteers in resource development.
• Apply AgeSmart's gift acceptance policy and follow the AFP Code of Ethics and the Donor Bill of Rights.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Five or more years of progressive fundraising experience, including major gifts and corporate or foundation fundraising
• A record of meeting revenue goals and closing significant gifts
• Strong grant writing and written communication skills
• Experience with donor databases and fundraising events and sponsorships
• Ability to build relationships with executives, community leaders and donors, including older adults
• Ability to work independently and lead without a development team
• A valid driver's license, good driving record and car insurance, or the ability to travel throughout the seven-county area; evening and weekend events from time to time
• CFRE certification preferred; experience in aging services, health or human services preferred

Pay and Benefits

Pay range: $75,000 to $80,000 per year, based on experience.

• Health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance provided 100% for the employee; flexible spending account and health reimbursement account
• 401(k) with 5% matching
• Generous time off, including accrual of two weeks of vacation in the first year, increasing with seniority
• 12 sick days annually
• four personal days annually
• 14 paid holidays

AgeSmart Community Resources is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job and to participate in the application process.