Director of Development and Community Engagement
2 days ago
Clifton Park
About CAPTAIN Community Human Services • CAPTAIN Community Human Services is a mission-driven nonprofit organization serving youth, adults, seniors, and families across Saratoga County and surrounding communities. Through programs focused on hunger, homelessness prevention, youth and family support, crisis assistance, senior services, community engagement, and empowerment, CAPTAIN CHS supports and empowers people of all ages to reach their goals of personal growth and self-sufficiency., • CAPTAIN CHS is a volunteer-centered, community-supported organization with a long history of practical, compassionate, and responsive service. As the organization completes a major capital campaign and enters its next chapter of growth, we are seeking a strategic and relationship-centered fundraising leader to help deepen philanthropic support, strengthen donor engagement, and expand community investment in our mission. Position Summary • The Director of Development and Community Engagement is CAPTAIN CHS’s senior fundraising professional and a member of the organization’s senior leadership team. Working closely with the Executive Director, Associate Executive Director, Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and community partners, this position leads the organization’s fundraising strategy and helps build a strong culture of philanthropy across CAPTAIN CHS. The role leads innovative fundraising, donor engagement, and partnership strategies that expand impact, foster a culture of philanthropy, and position the organization for sustainable growth and community leadership., • The Director supervises a small development and engagement team, including an Events and Volunteer Coordinator, a marketing/communications professional responsible for social media, graphic design, and related communications, and a database and events support professional. Together, this team is responsible for strengthening donor relationships, growing contributed revenue, engaging volunteers and community partners, coordinating fundraising and cultivation events, sharing CAPTAIN CHS’s story, and ensuring strong development operations. Why This Role Matters • CAPTAIN CHS is entering an important moment. The organization has strong community recognition, a broad base of programs, a dedicated staff, hundreds of volunteers, and a growing need for sustainable philanthropic support. The Director of Development and Community Engagement will help convert community goodwill into deeper donor relationships, increased annual giving, stronger major gift cultivation, expanded volunteer and corporate engagement, and long-term financial sustainability., • This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can set strategy, manage a team, strengthen systems, support the Executive Director and Board, and personally engage donors and community partners. Key Responsibilities Fundraising Strategy and Donor Engagement • Work with the Executive Director and Board leadership to set annual fundraising goals and develop clear strategies to meet or exceed those goals., • Lead annual giving, donor cultivation, stewardship, appeals, sponsorships, special campaigns, and donor appreciation efforts., • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, including major gift prospects., • Develop and maintain a portfolio of donors and prospects, with a focus on growing meaningful philanthropic relationships., • Support the Executive Director and Board members in donor strategy, donor visits, solicitations, and follow-up., • Ensure timely and thoughtful donor acknowledgment, stewardship, and reporting., • Promote a culture of philanthropy among staff, board members, volunteers, donors, and community partners. Events, Campaigns, and Community Fundraising • Lead the strategy, oversight, and successful execution of major fundraising and cultivation events in partnership with the Events and Volunteer Coordinator and development team., • Provide leadership for events, including the annual gala, Route 50 Mile, donor appreciation events, volunteer recognition events, and other fundraising or community engagement activities., • Evaluate event performance, including revenue, expenses, staff capacity, donor engagement, and long-term return on investment. Leadership and Supervision • Supervise, support, and coordinate the Development and Community Engagement team, including an Events and Volunteer Coordinator, a marketing/communications professional, and a database and events support professional., • Provide leadership, coaching, accountability, and clear priorities for fundraising, donor engagement, events, volunteer engagement, marketing, communications, and development operations., • Ensure that the team’s work is aligned with CAPTAIN CHS’s fundraising goals, community engagement priorities, brand identity, and mission., • Work collaboratively with program directors and managers to understand program needs, identify funding opportunities, communicate impact, and connect donors and volunteers to meaningful opportunities., • Attend Board and committee meetings as needed. Marketing, Communications, and Storytelling • Oversee marketing, social media, donor communications, and public-facing messaging in coordination with the marketing/communications professional and other staff or external partners as appropriate., • Help tell CAPTAIN CHS’s story in a way that is accurate, compelling, dignified, and aligned with the organization’s mission and values. Volunteer and Community Engagement • Supervise and support volunteer engagement efforts in partnership with the Events and Volunteer Coordinator, with a focus on recruitment, retention, recognition, and meaningful connection to CAPTAIN CHS’s mission., • Represent CAPTAIN CHS at community events, networking opportunities, partner meetings, and donor or volunteer gatherings., • Build relationships with civic groups, businesses, faith communities, schools, service clubs, foundations, donors, and community leaders. Development Operations and Data • Oversee the donor and volunteer CRM/database in partnership with the database and events support professional to ensure accurate records, timely gift entry, useful reporting, and effective donor segmentation., • Use data to track progress toward fundraising goals, donor retention, donor engagement, event results, and campaign performance. Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent professional experience., • At least five years of relevant experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, donor relations, individual giving, major gifts, corporate giving, community engagement, or related work., • At least two years of team leadership experience, including career development of staff., • Demonstrated ability to build relationships with donors, volunteers, board members, staff, community partners, and business leaders., • Comfort with donor cultivation and solicitation, including major gifts of $5,000 or more., • Excellent written and verbal communication skills., • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, follow-through, and ability to manage multiple priorities., • Experience with donor databases, CRM systems, fundraising data, Microsoft Office, and digital communication tools., • Ability to work both strategically and hands-on in a mid-sized nonprofit environment., • Ability to work early mornings, evenings, or weekends for events and donor/community meetings, when needed., • Valid New York State driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and access to reliable transportation., • Fundraising certification, planned giving experience, capital campaign experience, or experience with human services nonprofits is helpful but not required. Work Schedule and Flexibility • This is a full-time, exempt position. The role is primarily in person because of the importance of relationships with staff, volunteers, donors, board members, and community partners. Some flexibility and occasional remote work may be available when consistent with the needs of the position. Evening or weekend work will be required for certain events, donor meetings, and community activities. Compensation and Benefits • The anticipated salary range is $65,000 to $85,000, depending on experience and qualifications., • CAPTAIN CHS offers a competitive nonprofit benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, retirement benefits, and other employee benefits consistent with organizational policy. Equal Opportunity Employer • CAPTAIN CHS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming workplace. We encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.