Director of Development (Philanthropy)

SPCA Florida; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off (PTO)

403(b) Retirement Plan

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Employer‑Paid Life Insurance

Employee Pet Care Discounts

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

SPCA Florida is looking for an experienced Director of Development to lead fundraising strategies and donor engagement initiatives. You will be instrumental in building relationships and sustaining financial growth to further our mission. The ideal candidate will possess a proven record in nonprofit fundraising, leadership abilities, and a passion for animal welfare.

Join a dedicated team committed to making a difference for animals throughout Central Florida, and enjoy a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5-10 years of successful nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Proven examples in securing major gifts and grants.
• Proficient with donor CRM software and database administration.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of fundraising strategies.
• Identify and build relationships with individual donors and corporate sponsors.
• Lead development of fundraising programs and track performance.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Donor relationship management

Grant writing

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Donor CRM software

Database administration tools

Job description

Join SPCA Florida and Make a Difference in the Lives of Animals

SPCA Florida's mission is to provide compassionate care, shelter, and advocacy for animals while promoting responsible pet ownership through education and outreach. Our programs and services include pet adoption, a public veterinary hospital, and pet support programs that help families keep their beloved animals during times of need.

SPCA Florida is an independent, privately funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has proudly served people and pets throughout Central Florida for more than 40 years. As a recognized no‑kill shelter with a 96% live release rate, we are committed to saving lives and strengthening the human‑animal bond in our community.

Because fundraising is essential to sustaining our mission, we are seeking an experienced, passionate, and strategic Director of Development to lead our fundraising, donor engagement, and philanthropic initiatives.

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader to make a meaningful impact while helping advance the mission of one of Florida's most respected animal welfare organizations.

Position Summary

The Director of Development collaborates with the Executive Director to oversee all aspects of fundraising, with an emphasis on creating and implementing strategies to drive new donor acquisition, retention, and cultivation, including planned giving and major donor development.

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader who ultimately serves as the organization’s chief fundraising strategist. The Director must have a proven record of building successful fundraising programs and cultivating meaningful donor relationships. This individual will demonstrate integrity, professionalism, initiative, creativity, and follow‑through.

The Director is responsible for driving revenue growth, meeting budget projections, and setting ambitious fundraising goals while strengthening the organization’s sustainability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Self‑motivated and “hands‑on” in all aspects of Development.
• The driving force leading by example - successful financial strategies to consistently attain goals with appeals, campaigns, grants, sponsorships, special events, and overall mission.
• Research, write, manage, and report on grants from foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Successfully identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners.
• Develop and implement meaningful donor engagement and retention strategies to grow philanthropic support.
• Oversee the successful development and production of marketing materials, including newsletters, annual reports, brochures, advertisements, presentations, website content, email campaigns, videos, signage, infographics, and other promotional materials.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, sponsors, vendors, and community stakeholders through personalized engagement and stewardship.
• Lead by example with fundraising, goal achievement, creative and supportive intervention in all aspects of daily development.
• Partner with leadership staff to conduct facility tours and donor cultivation visits with mid‑level and major donors.
• Ensure the integrity and accuracy of donor database management, reporting, and recordkeeping.
• Manage donor acknowledgement processes to ensure timely recognition and stewardship.
• Develop and implement donor reporting strategies that demonstrate impact and strengthen long‑term relationships.
• Research and pursue new business development opportunities to increase revenue and community engagement.
• Supervise and support assigned staff while leading with an example‑driven attitude.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends for donor and fundraising cultivation and events.

Key Performance Indicators

• A successful Development Director will be evaluated on:
  • Total dollars raised
  • Growth in major gifts
  • New donor acquisition
  • Donor retention rate
  • Grant revenue
  • Corporate sponsorship revenue
  • Planned gifts secured
  • Event net income
  • Budget line items, including membership
  • Monthly donor growth
  • Monthly giving
  • Return on fundraising investment (ROI)

What are we looking for?

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications, marketing, public relations, nonprofit management, or a related field required.
• A master's degree in a related field is a plus.

Experience

• Minimum of 5-10 years of successful nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Proven examples in securing major gifts and grants and achieving targeted goals for successful appeals and fundraising events.
• Proficient with donor CRM software and database administration. (E.g., Donor Perfect, Qgiv, Boomerang)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Accomplished in relationship‑building and interpersonal skills.
• Successful in donor cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising strategy.
• Excels in grant research, proposal writing, and reporting.
• Effective marketing, branding, and digital communications.
• Impressive organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Creative and strategic thinker with impressive problem‑solving abilities.
• Self‑motivated with a high level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
• Passion for animal welfare and commitment to SPCA Florida’s mission.

Why Join SPCA Florida?

At SPCA Florida, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them every day. We are passionate about our mission, committed to our community, and proud of the positive impact we make throughout Central Florida.

We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Ten (10) days (two weeks) during your first year of employment and fifteen (15) days (three weeks) beginning in your second year.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employer‑Paid Life Insurance
• Six (6) Paid Holidays
• Employee Pet Care Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional Growth and Development Opportunities

In addition to our benefits, you'll enjoy:

• Working for an organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of animals and the people of Central Florida.
• Being part of an innovative, creative, and dynamic Marketing and Development team.
• Collaborating with passionate professionals who share a commitment to making a lasting impact in our community.
• A positive, supportive work environment where employees are valued, empowered, and encouraged to grow.

At SPCA Florida, we believe in creating a workplace that balances professional excellence with a culture of compassion, teamwork, and purpose.

Relocation assistance may be considered for qualified out‑of‑state candidates.

Apply Today

If you are an experienced fundraising professional passionate about helping animals and building meaningful relationships to advance a life‑saving mission, we encourage you to apply.

Join SPCA Florida and help create a brighter future for pets and the people who love them.

SPCA Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer, a Drug‑Free Workplace, and a Non‑Smoking Campus.