Senior Director of Major Gifts & Development

Project Rescue; Springfield (MO); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Project Rescue seeks a Vice President of Development to lead fundraising across Project Rescue Ministries and Project Rescue Foundation from its Springfield, Missouri offices. This senior, in‑office role drives a diversified strategy, builds major donor relationships, and guides a high-impact development team while traveling to engage donors.

The ideal candidate will be strategic, relational, and hands-on, ensuring ethical storytelling and aligning fundraising with organizational priorities.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a comprehensive development program and revenue growth.
• Proven ability to cultivate and close major gifts.
• Experience with six-figure and preferably seven-figure gifts.
• Experience leading and developing a fundraising team.
• Strong executive presence and ability to advise senior leaders.
• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills.
• Travel willingness for donor meetings and events.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy for both ministries and foundation.
• Establish revenue goals, budgets, forecasts, and reporting systems.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and secure significant gifts.
• Build partnerships with churches, pastors, businesses, foundations, and philanthropic orgs.
• Lead and coach the development team and improve fundraising systems.
• Oversee donor acquisition, retention, recurring giving, upgrades, events, and digital fundraising.
• Collaborate with leadership to align fundraising with organizational priorities.
• Ensure donor communications protect survivors’ dignity, privacy, and safety.
• Represent Project Rescue at donor meetings, engagements, and events.
• Travel regularly for donor meetings and relationship-building.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Major donor cultivation

Strategic planning

Budgeting & forecasting

Donor engagement

CRM & analytics

Team leadership

Relationship building

Ethical donor storytelling

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Project Rescue seeks a Vice President of Development to lead fundraising across Project Rescue Ministries and Project Rescue Foundation from its Springfield, Missouri offices. This senior, in‑office role drives a diversified strategy, builds major donor relationships, and guides a high-impact development team while traveling to engage donors.

The ideal candidate will be strategic, relational, and hands-on, ensuring ethical storytelling and aligning fundraising with organizational priorities.