Development Director

We are seeking a relationship-driven fundraiser with strong strategic thinking, major-gift experience, and a deep commitment to equity and belonging to support Maybelle Center’s mission and long-term sustainability.

As the Development Director, you would be responsible for designing and implementing annual and multi-year fundraising strategies. The role includes a significant hands-on fundraising portfolio, with direct responsibility for major gift cultivation and solicitation, donor stewardship, and new donor acquisition. The ideal candidate would have a strong organizational skill set to build, maintain, and refine the systems that make this work effective and sustainable.

This role supervises the Development Coordinator and contract grant writer and collaborates as an integrated partner with communications, finance, and program teams to design and execute fundraising initiatives that are well coordinated, data-informed, and aligned with organizational priorities.

Everything we do at Maybelle Center is rooted in our core values: 1) Every person matters; 2) We are all interconnected; and 3) We learn together. Central to this role is the ability to engage external stakeholders as partners in our work—inviting them to be more than donors, but advocates and champions for a Portland where everyone belongs—while also demonstrating strong follow-through and operational discipline to steward those relationships with care and consistency.

This is a full-time, exempt position with the flexibility to work remotely up to 2 days/week. (Hybrid schedule permitted up to 40%)

Duties and Responsibilities

Fundraising (70%)
  • Craft and implement an annual and multi-year development strategy and budget focused on continued growth in contributed revenue.
  • Steward, retain, and cultivate existing relationships as well as identify and pursue new revenue opportunities including individuals, corporate partners, foundations, and government funding.
  • Personally cultivate, solicit, steward, and monitor a portfolio of major donors and donor prospects.
  • Support board members and Executive Director in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts.
  • Manage and track prospects, including identification, stewardship and cultivation, and solicitation, across all levels of fundraising (i.e., annual funding, planned giving, capital support, events, grants, etc.), utilizing Salesforce NPSP to maximize effectiveness.
  • In conjunction with the contract grant writer, develop grant strategy, and oversee the timely submission of grant proposals, reporting, and the management of foundation relations.
  • Work with Communications team to achieve revenue and attendance targets for annual fundraising and cultivation events.
  • Collaborate with Development Coordinator in utilizing systems for prospect research, managing gift acknowledgments, gift records and reporting, and direct mail that supports annual and long-term fundraising objectives.
  • Ensure close coordination between development, communications, program, and finance departments.
  • Represent the organization to businesses, professional groups, religious, and other organizations.
Leadership and Management (15%)
  • Responsible for leading all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the development program.
  • Supervise Development Coordinator, contract grant writer, and other development-related contractors.
  • Serve as a member of the leadership team and collaborate with other Directors to identify funding priorities and set fundraising targets in alignment with organizational mission, goals, and strategic priorities.
  • Review and share monthly status reports with the Executive Director and leadership team, along with quarterly reports to the board of directors.
  • Work collaboratively with the Finance Department to ensure accurate financial tracking and reporting.
  • Lead and serve on board and volunteer committees as assigned, including recruiting and training volunteer leaders.
  • Build partnerships with external leaders and stakeholders to advance fundraising goals.
  • Align development activities to the organization’s core values and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging goals.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by Executive Director.
Communications (15%)
  • Collaborate with Communications Director to create and implement an annual marketing and communications strategy that supports fundraising activities and aligns with programmatic and organizational priorities.
  • Work with the Communications Team and the Development Coordinator to create and manage direct mail appeals, annual reports, e-newsletters, videos, and other external communications.

Qualifications / Requirements

  • 5-7 years of development experience, including experience as Development Director.
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred.
  • Strong understanding of the nonprofit landscape and trends.
  • Demonstrated experience managing a successful development program and team, including but not limited to annual fundraising, major gifts, grant writing, and communications.
  • Personally cultivated, solicited, and secured major gifts from individuals.
  • Experience with donor databases, tools, and event planning software. Salesforce and iWave preferred.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, especially at certain times during the year, including occasional weekends and evenings, to meet the requirements of the position. Hybrid schedule permitted up to 40%.
  • Successfully pass the required background check.
  • Knowledge of local and regional community leaders, philanthropists, and influencers including grant-making organizations, preferred.
  • Skilled at crafting persuasive proposals, presentations, and reports with ability to incorporate a variety of fundraising approaches.
  • Adept at building strong, trusting relationships with colleagues across all departments to support organizational goals and foster a positive and productive work environment.
  • Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to motivate and inspire others.
  • Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
  • Commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within organizations and our city.
  • Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative environment but can also work independently.
  • Manage multiple projects and deadlines with ease.
  • Knowledge of Maybelle Center’s mission and values.
  • Adaptable to changing priorities and situations especially when working in a fast-paced environment.
  • Requires passing a pre-employment background check.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions listed above.

  • Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, and to talk and hear.
  • Frequently required to sit for extended periods as much of the work involves computer use, attending meetings, and administrative tasks.
  • Proficiency in using a computer, including typing, mouse operations, and viewing a screen.
  • Ability to move around an office environment.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
  • The role may involve attending off-site meetings, events, and donor visits, requiring the ability to travel and move around.

Benefits/perks

  • 100% employer-paid health insurance for employees, with dependent coverage options available
  • Employer-paid life and disability insurance
  • 401(k) with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 4% (eligible after 60 days)
  • TriMet pass or parking reimbursement
  • Generous paid time off: 10 paid holidays plus over 6 weeks of PTO
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care expenses
  • Meal provided during on-site shift

Compensation

Starting salary range: $90,000 – $115,000 annually

To apply

Apply using the link below. Please include a resume and cover letter articulating your fit for the position and addressing the following questions:

  1. Why does the mission of Maybelle Center resonate with you?
  2. How do you think diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles interact with fundraising?
  3. What do you think makes a successful fundraising leader?

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Jobs@maybellecenter.org.

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