Sustainable Connections Development Director

Sustainable Connections; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Sustainable Connections in Washington state seeks a Development Director to lead fundraising efforts across grants, contracts, individual giving, campaigns, and events. You will identify funding opportunities, craft compelling proposals, and cultivate donor and funder relationships while ensuring strong stewardship of all secured funds.

The role requires strategic thinking, excellent communication, and a collaborative approach across programs, with a focus on sustainability and equity values

Qualifications

• 5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience including grants, individual giving, major gifts, and donor stewardship
• Strong grant writing and management experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills

Responsibilities

• Develop fundraising strategies across programs to grow revenue
• Cultivate donor and funder relationships and proposals
• Ensure stewardship of secured funds and compliance
• Represent the organization effectively and collaborate with staff

Skills

Fundraising

Grant writing

Communication

Staff supervision

Strategic thinking

Sustainability values

Tools

QuickBooks

Salesforce

Givebutter

Excel

Asana

Foundation Directory Online

Job description

This position works to develop a range of fundraising strategies to sustain and grow Sustainable Connections’ revenue, including grants, contracts, individual giving, fundraising campaigns, and events. The Development Director works across all program areas to identify funding opportunities, develop compelling proposals, cultivate donor and funder relationships, and ensure strong stewardship of secured funds. The Development Director is highly organized and detail oriented, works well with others as well as independently, represents the organization in a compelling way, and excels at relationship building. Routine work includes technology and programs such as QuickBooks, Salesforce, Givebutter, Excel, Asana, and Foundation Directory Online.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• 5 years of experience with a track record of success in nonprofit fundraising, including individual giving, major gifts, grants, and donor stewardship
• Strong grant writing and management experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into action and results.
• Experience supervising staff
• Deep commitment to sustainability, equity, and the values of mission-driven organizations

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, QuickBooks, Salesforce (or similar CRM), Givebutter, Asana, Adobe, and navigating cloud-based grant and fundraising platforms such as Foundation Directory Online
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with foundations, individual donors, business partners and government leaders in Washington state
• Experience developing strategic annual or multi-year fundraising plans
• Knowledge of one or more of Sustainable Connections program areas: waste mitigation, affordable housing, food systems, clean energy, green building, local business.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and program needs

Full position wage range: $68,360- $102,540/ annually

Expected starting range: $80,169- $85,450 / annually

Application deadline: September 7, 2026

Desired start: October 16, 2026