Development Director - Friends of the Rouge

Job Description

Friends of the Rouge (FOTR) , has partnered with Mondo Unlimited to find their next Development Director . FOTR, founded in 1986, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration and stewardship of the Rouge River watershed through education, community engagement and collaboration. The Rouge River is one of the nation's most urbanized watersheds and is located in the Metropolitan Detroit area of southeastern Michigan. The Rouge has been the focus of intensive federal, state, and local restoration efforts since being named an EPA Area of Concern in 1987.

Friends of the Rouge understands the values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice are critical to achieve our vision of a Rouge River that is healthy, accessible to everyone, and a place where people and wildlife thrive. To that end, we commit ourselves to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice both in our programmatic priorities and our internal organizational development through inclusive recruitment of staff and board members, and by fostering a diverse and inclusive culture.

Check out the 2024 Annual Report here.

Position Purpose

Friends of the Rouge is looking for a mission-aligned fundraising professional who brings both strategic expertise and heart to their work. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a proven track record of developing and executing successful strategies, leading teams, and cultivating meaningful donor relationships. They will be a strong communicator that is comfortable engaging a wide range of stakeholders, from donors and volunteers to community partners and demonstrate excellent storytelling, writing, and public speaking skills.

This role requires someone who is detail-oriented and organized, yet flexible and collaborative. The candidate should be comfortable analyzing data, managing projects, creating compelling content, and reaching out to new audiences. Above all, we seek someone who leads with kindness, centers equity and inclusion in all aspects of their work, and is deeply committed to environmental preservation and the protection of our water resources. A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required.

Friends of the Rouge is currently completing a Strategic Plan that will fundamentally inform the organization's fundraising strategy. The Development Director (DD) will lead the development of this strategy and will partner with the Executive Director, Board, and staff to support the Strategic Plan implementation. Goals for this transformation are to :

• Scale our impact : Secure larger, multi-year commitments that enable long-term planning and execution
• Build sustainable capacity : Create reliable revenue stream to support dedicated fundraising staff and infrastructure
• Establish market position : Develop clear, bidirectional relationships with funders and support FOTR's role as the primary steward of the Rouge River watershed.
• Enable strategic growth : Move from reactive to proactive funding that aligns with our mission and vision.

FOTR's current funding model consists primarily of individual giving / membership, foundation giving, and programmatic grants with some corporate giving. The newly completed Strategic Plan calls for building a comprehensive fundraising plan that will create targets for existing revenue streams, grow new funding sources, and develop a holistic strategy to track and grow these opportunities. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop and steward new revenue streams such as planned giving, major donor relationships, and corporate giving to broaden the organization's fundraising diversity.

This position reports to the Executive Director and involves close coordination with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, the Operations Director, and Program Managers. The Development Director leads and supports all general giving and organization-wide fundraising efforts - including foundation giving and programmatic grants. The Development Director leads and supports the Fund Development team.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Development Oversight and Growth

Fund Development and Tracking

Membership / Annual Giving / Major Donors

Board Coordination

Corporate Giving

Endowment / Planned Giving

General

Qualifications

Nondiscrimination Policy

It is the policy of Friends of the Rouge to provide equal membership, employment, and service opportunities to all eligible persons and to administer personnel policies and practices in accordance with all applicable laws.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, creed, religion, color, personal appearance, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, family responsibilities, and the presence of any sensory, physical or mental disability, learning disability, matriculation, membership in any labor organization, lawful source of income, political affiliation, or political ideology.

Terms of Employment - At-Will Employment Status

All persons employed by FOTR, regardless of classification status, are employed on an "at-will" basis. As such, employment can be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at either your option or the option of FOTR. No supervisor, coordinator, manager, or other representative of FOTR other than the Executive Director has the authority to enter into any agreement or contract for employment for any specified period of time. The provisions contained in this policy supersede any and all previous oral or written statements or representations that have been made by FOTR or by someone purporting to represent FOTR. Employees should be aware, while FOTR employees are required to participate in regular performance evaluation; this evaluation process is not intended to be a means of creating legal rights and does not affect the "at-will" nature of the terms of employment.