Director of Development

The Development Director is responsible for leading and implementing all fundraising and development activities for the Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC). This position provides strategic oversight and hands-on execution of donor engagement, fundraising events, in-kind donation management, and grant development. The Development Director plays a critical role in ensuring organizational sustainability through diversified revenue streams, strong community partnerships, and effective stewardship of all funding sources.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Grant Management (35%)

Identify, research, and prioritize grant funding opportunities aligned with DCRC’s mission and strategic goals

Lead the full grant lifecycle, including prospecting, writing, submission, and tracking

Manage all grant reporting requirements, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely submission

Maintain a comprehensive grant calendar with deadlines, renewals, and reporting schedules

Collaborate with program staff to gather data, outcomes, and narratives for proposals and reports

Build and maintain relationships with foundations, government agencies, and corporate funders

Track and evaluate grant performance and funding trends to inform strategy

Donor Relations (25%)

Cultivate and maintain relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, faith, and major donors

Ensure timely, consistent, and meaningful donor acknowledgement and stewardship

Develop strategies to increase donor retention, upgrades, and recurring giving

Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records and engagement history in the database

Support leadership in identifying and cultivating major gift prospects

Create personalized opportunities to deepen donor connection to DCRC’s mission

Fundraising & Special Events (15%)

Plan and execute fundraising campaigns, events, and community engagement initiatives

Develop sponsorship materials and secure financial and in-kind support

Manage logistics including timelines, vendors, volunteers, and budgets

Track revenue, expenses, and overall event performance

Partner with staff, board members, and volunteers to maximize participation and visibility

Evaluate outcomes and recommend improvements for future events

Marketing & Communications (15%)

Develop and maintain branding guidelines and templates across digital and print platforms

Collaborate with leadership and the Community Engagement Coordinator to create monthly content calendars for social media and e-newsletters

Lead donor-facing communications that align with fundraising goals In-Kind Donation

Management (10%)

Develop and manage systems for receiving, tracking, and acknowledging in-kind donations

Cultivate relationships with businesses and community partners supporting in-kind giving

Coordinate donation drives based on programmatic needs

Ensure proper documentation and reporting of all in-kind contributions

Work with program and operations staff to assess and respond to material needs

Receive and organize agency donations (non–thrift store items)

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain and manage client and donor databases to ensure accuracy, consistency, and confidentiality (Bloomerang, Giftbutter, Osnium)

Lead marketing and communications efforts, including e-newsletters, social media content, and donor-facing materials

Utilize marketing and basic graphic design skills (e.g., Canva or similar platforms) to create engaging outreach materials

Prepare and submit monthly development reports for presentation to the Board of Directors and Development Committee, including updates on fundraising progress, grant activity, donor engagement, and event outcomes

Collaborate with staff across departments to align messaging and fundraising priorities

Represent DCRC at community events, donor meetings, and partner engagements as needed

Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Public Administration, Business, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree in any field with equivalent professional experience in fundraising and development.

Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, development, or advancement, including grant writing, donor relations, and campaign management.

Demonstrated experience managing multiple funding streams, including grants, individual giving, and special events.

Experience supervising staff, contractors, or volunteers.

Strong project management skills with the ability to manage deadlines, priorities, and multiple projects simultaneously.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive writing for grants and donor communications.

Experience using donor databases/CRM systems (e.g., Bloomerang or similar).

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field.

Experience working in a nonprofit serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or related human services.

Knowledge of trauma-informed practices and the ability to communicate about sensitive issues with care and respect.

Proven success in securing and managing grants from foundations, government agencies, and corporate funders.

Experience with branding, marketing, and digital engagement strategies.

Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates in a dynamic nonprofit environment requiring flexibility, collaboration, and responsiveness to organizational priorities. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required for events, donor engagement activities, and community outreach.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Foster a positive, inclusive, and trauma-informed work environment through transparent and professional communication

Engage in solution-oriented collaboration that affirms the agency and voice of others Recognize and respect healthy boundaries for self and others

Protect all confidential information and uphold ethical work practices

Embody the agency’s mission through daily work, maintaining professionalism and focus

Identify, address, and support resolution of client crises through appropriate intervention, emotional support, and safety planning

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DCRC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected status.