Director of Development & Community Relations

Louisiana Association for the Blind; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired is seeking a strategic Director of Development & Community Relations to lead fund development, communications, media relations, and community engagement. This senior leader partners with the CEO and the board to advance Clovernook’s mission.

The role oversees donor relations, major gifts, annual appeals, grants, and partnerships, guiding staff and external partners, ensuring ethical fundraising practices, and building lasting community support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with seven years of progressive nonprofit development experience.
• Proven success securing major gifts and planned giving across diverse fundraising activities.
• Strong leadership, donor relations, and community engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising, donor relations, media relations, community awareness, annual appeals, events, grants, and related development initiatives.
• Solicit major gifts and support planned giving aligned with financial goals.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, and partners.
• Serve as staff liaison to development committees and engage board members in campaigns.
• Oversee development staff, grant writer, and external communications partners.
• Manage donor management system, acknowledgements, and data integrity.
• Oversee communications, social media, and website messaging.
• Develop policies and procedures to support operations and ensure ethics compliance.
• Establish and manage departmental budgets.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Community partnerships

Public speaking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Bloomerang

Job description

Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Director of Development & Community Relations to lead fund development, communications, media relations, and community engagement efforts. This senior leadership role is ideal for an experienced nonprofit development professional who is passionate about building meaningful donor relationships, strengthening community partnerships, and advancing Clovernook’s mission.

Position Summary

The Director of Development & Community Relations provides leadership for all functions of fund development, communications, media relations, and community relations. This position is responsible for strategic planning, coordination, and implementation of fundraising and public relations activities, while collaborating across departments to identify innovative opportunities for support. The Director advises the President/CEO on development and community relations goals, programs, procedures, and policies and serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee fundraising, donor relations, media relations, community awareness, annual appeals, special events, grant-seeking, tribute gifts, and related development initiatives.
• Actively solicit major gifts and support planned giving efforts in alignment with financial goals and the development plan.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with existing and prospective donors, including corporations, foundations, organizations, and community partners.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Fund Development Committee of the Board of Trustees and participate on the BVI Community Engagement Committee.
• Engage board members in support of fund development campaigns and events.
• Supervise and support development staff, the grant writer, outsourced communications/media relations partners, department interns, and shared positions supporting development activities.
• Oversee the donor management system, including gift records, acknowledgements, and data integrity.
• Manage communications and media relations efforts, including social media, website oversight, and consistent messaging to internal and external audiences.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures to support development and community relations operations.
• Ensure fundraising practices comply with applicable accounting standards, BBB expense ratio expectations, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals code of ethics.
• Establish and manage departmental budgets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of seven years of progressive responsibility in nonprofit development.
• At least two years of supervisory experience.
• Proven success securing major gifts and planned gifts across a variety of fund development activities.
• Ability to create and foster corporate partnerships and build long-term donor relationships.
• Experience with Bloomerang or an equivalent donor management system.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Professional demeanor with the ability to represent the organization effectively with donors, partners, media, board members, and community stakeholders.
• Membership in the Association of Fundraising Professionals preferred.
• Professional fundraising certification preferred.
• Successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check required.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and mission-focused leader with a strong track record in nonprofit fundraising, donor engagement, and community relations. This individual will be comfortable working with senior leaders and board members, managing multiple priorities, supervising staff and partners, and serving as an enthusiastic ambassador for Clovernook Center’s mission.

About Clovernook Center

Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired is dedicated to empowering individuals who are blind or visually impaired through services, opportunities, and community engagement. The Director of Development & Community Relations will play a key role in strengthening the resources and relationships that support this work.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired is an equal opportunity employer and values an inclusive workplace. Individuals who are blind or visually impaired, people with disabilities, and candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Reports to: CEO

Department: Development & Community Relations

Position Type: Exempt