Director of Development

We're growing our innovative team at Paths for Families, dedicated to the life-long work of building and sustaining families.

Position Overview

Allow your dedication, compassion, and ingenuity to shine as our new Director of Development!

The Director of Development works collaboratively with the CEO and other members of the leadership team to ensure Paths for Families' mission, fidelity, and social impact by leading and directing the effective execution of all development activities.

The Director of Development creates, plans, and manages successful initiatives in areas including major gifts, planned giving, endowments, public and private contracts and grants, annual giving, special events, fundraising communications, public relations, and donor relations.

The Director of Development reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer, works closely with the Board of Directors, and directly leads, manages, and mentors members of the development team.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Development fosters a culture of philanthropy and champions Paths for Families' mission, core values, and commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and social justice.

This position is a hybrid role based in Calverton MD, with local travel required as needed.

Who We Are

Paths for Families is an adoption and family well-being organization that partners with communities dedicated to the life-long work of building and sustaining families.

For over 30 years, we've been here for expectant parents exploring adoption, birth parents, prospective and current adoptive families, children in need of adoption, people who were adopted, and professionals in the community.

Our mission is to build and support healthy lifelong connections for every child and advocate for continuous improvement of systems that strengthen family well-being.

We practice IDEAS Principles (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Social Justice) and welcome all children, families, and team members regardless of gender identity, gender expression, age, race, religion, wealth, health, marital status, or sexual orientation.

With IDEAS Principles as one of our core values, we believe in cultivating a healthy environment in which all employees feel supported while working to achieve our mission.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Development Leadership & Strategy

Read all the information about this opportunity carefully, then use the application button below to send your CV and application.

• Using Paths for Families' mission, vision, values, and strategic plan, develop, implement, and evaluate an annual fundraising plan.
• Partner with the leadership team to ensure strategic priorities are established and implemented to promote long-term growth and organizational viability.
• Execute and own the comprehensive strategy that will cultivate and steward the financial resources from corporations, foundations, and individuals needed to advance the work.
• Create and implement strategies to constantly improve the organization's revenue diversification efforts to maximize scale and impact.
• Apply innovative thinking and performance measurements to analyze and support strategic decision-making. Utilize data to inform decisions and evaluate progress towards goals.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the development team.
• Oversee development budget and work with Finance department for reporting.

Fundraising Activities & Management

• Drive development and fundraising in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer, leveraging the Board as needed.
• Prospect, initiate, cultivate, and expand relationships with Paths for Families' portfolio of individual, foundation, and corporate donors.
• Foster relationships and develop true partnerships with businesses to grow corporate support.
• Oversee research and creation of written proposals, letters of inquiry and other communications for grantors to request and seek funding relating to all programs and opportunities.
• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects that requires a systematic approach of personal outreach, site visits, recurring updates, and other strategic communications.
• Oversee fundraising event planning and execution.
• Oversee the management of the agency's donor database.

Development Marketing and Communications

• Lead and manage the fundraising aspects of the organization's external marketing and public relations.
• As a Senior leader, serve as an ambassador for Paths for Families' work by representing the organization and liaising with key external stakeholders at events, conferences, and partnership meetings.
• Work collaboratively with Marketing Specialist to develop, implement and evaluate organizational and programmatic fundraising communications plans.
• Ensure high visibility to prospects and the public and build interest in engaged philanthropy.
• Develop and strengthen online messaging for fundraising campaigns.

Board Relations

• Maintain regular and ongoing communication to build strong relationships with the entire Board, always providing leadership and support to members.
• Communicate effectively with the Board by providing members with all fundraising information necessary to continually function properly and make informed decisions in a timely and accurate manner.
• Attend all Board meetings and provide reports and updates on staff, current work, project timelines, and project and organizational progress.
• Work closely and openly with the Board and its committees, ensuring ongoing communication of risks, issues, and successes.

Serve as a member of the Fundraising Committee.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree
• 3-5 years leading development at a social impact / nonprofit organization
• 5-7 years in all areas of development (major gifts, annual and planned giving, special events, donor relations, communications, and public relations)
• Experience in Salesforce highly preferred
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) preferred
• Child & family welfare experience preferred

Preferred Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of all elements of fundraising including : defining needs, working with foundations, donor cultivation, government contracting, grants, events, and relationship building
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a growing and evolving environment
• Ability to identify opportunities, think strategically & implement tactically
• Ability to act as a strategic thought partner in tandem with the CEO and make recommendations that consider competing needs and priorities
• Superb written, oral, and public speaking skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with strong interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills
• Comfortable with data and able to synthesize data from different sources to create and analyze reports
• Clear commitment and vision for how equity and inclusion is incorporated in organizational design and fundraising practice
• Effective leadership, critical thinking, and adept problem solving
• Adaptability through a flexible and open-minded attitude
• Proven ability to lead meetings and delegate responsibilities

Paths for Families does not expect every applicant to have every skill and qualification listed here. A strong candidate interested in growing and learning in this role will possess at least 75% of the following qualifications.

If this is you, then we strongly encourage you to apply for consideration.

Why Join Us?

If our mission and vision align with your personal values, we may be a good fit!

The salary for this position is $93,000 - $100,000 , commensurate with experience with full benefits including :

• Flexible working environment
• Paid Vacation & Sick Leave - Over 4 weeks to start!
• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance - Including an HRA and FSA
• Paid Life, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Thirteen (13) Paid Holidays
• And more!

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter that narrates the alignment between your background and our fundraising goals.

Selected candidates will be asked to submit 2-3 writing samples demonstrating donor strategy.

Additional Notes

Each employee is required to complete (and maintain as necessary) a physical exam to include a TB test, a criminal background check in identified jurisdictions, and Child Protective Services Registries check in identified jurisdictions, and orientation training.

Paths for Families is an equal opportunity employer and offers a pleasant, flexible work environment. To learn more, please visit https : / / pathsforfamilies.org / careers / .

Principals only, no recruiters. No phone calls please.

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