VP of Development
16 days ago
Springfield
Job DescriptionSalary: JOB TITLE: Vice President of Development FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt DATE: March 2026 REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer A coat. A meal. A pair of glasses. Simple things like these often stand between a child and their ability to learn. Care to Learn partners with Missouri school districts and community members to fill these gaps and to help keep students focused on what matters most: learning. You can help a child succeed. You are an includer. You have a passion for representing voices that are not always heard.You can interact with all people and keep them effectively connected. You naturally think about how things are connected and how everyone relies on each other. You are a bridge builder and do your best work when you can showcase these talents. PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE JOB: The Vice President of Development (VP of Development) is responsible for owning and advancing Care to Learns comprehensive and results-oriented fundraising strategy to drive innovative growth and sustainable impact. This role will cultivate donor relationships, oversee development initiatives, and expand philanthropic support through donor gifts, corporate partnerships, grants, and special events. The VP of Development will work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and executive leadership team to ensure financial stability and mission fulfillment. This role is accountable for the continued growth and evolution of Care to Learns development function, ensuring it scales to meet increasing demand and opportunity. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PERFORMANCE AREAS • Own and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including annual giving, planned giving, corporate sponsorships, and grants., • Drive growth across all development revenue streams by identifying new funding opportunities, expanding existing relationships, and increasing overall philanthropic investment., • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, ensuring meaningful engagement and long-term investment., • Oversee donor database management and ensure accurate tracking, reporting, and acknowledgment of gifts., • Work closely with the CEO to engage in fundraising efforts and develop donor relations strategies., • Collaborate with internal teams to align fundraising initiatives with program needs and organizational goals., • Monitor and evaluate all fundraising activities to ensure that development goals are achieved., • Build, strengthen, and expand partnerships with corporations, foundations, and community organizations to enhance financial support., • Represent Care to Learn at community events, networking opportunities, and speaking engagements to raise awareness and build relationships., • Develop and oversee fundraising events, ensuring their success in revenue generation and donor engagement., • Identify and apply for grant opportunities that align with Care to Learns mission., • Manage grant reporting and compliance to ensure fulfillment of funding requirements., • Strengthen and evolve development systems, processes, and infrastructure to support a more mature and scalable fundraising function. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES • A strong commitment to Care to Learns mission and the ability to represent it clearly and authentically., • Comfortable owning and contributing to development revenue goals, including the confidence to make clear, thoughtful asks that align donor interests with organizational priorities., • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to connect with a wide range of audiences., • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with consistent follow through., • Ability to build relationships across teams, partners, and the community while maintaining a high level of professionalism., • Sound judgment and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively., • Self-motivated with the ability to adapt as priorities evolve in a growing organization., • Comfortable using tools such as Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Forms, Slides) to support organization and communication., • Willingness to travel throughout Missouri and work flexible hours as needed. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS • 10+ years of development or sales experience in a professional environment with a track record of securing major gifts and driving revenue growth., • Proficiency in donor management software and fundraising platforms is preferred., • Bachelors degree in Communications, Business, or a related field., • Possess a valid drivers license and have a good driving record. PHYSICAL CONTEXT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT Physical Requirements and Percentage of Work Time Spent on Activity • Seeing: Must be able to see to read documents/reports and use computer. 75-100%, • Hearing: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with staff, donors, vendors, and general public. 75-100%, • Sitting: Must be able to sit for long periods of time. 50-74%, • Standing/Walking: Must be able to move about the work area. 25-49%, • Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling: Must be able to stoop or kneel to pick up items off the floor. 0-24%, • Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: Must be able to lift 20 pounds with or without reasonable assistance. 0-24%, • Grasping/Feeling: Must be able to type, handle documents, and use equipment and electronic devices. 75-100% WORKING CONDITIONS Normal working conditions in an office absent extreme factors. Some travel may be required up to 30% percent of the time. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Also, they do not establish an employment contract and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer. Care to Learn is an equal opportunity employer and employer decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, disability, national origin, or any other protected status. Excellent benefits package available. Salary commensurate with experience. About Care to Learn Founded in 2008, Care to Learn exists to meet childrens emergent health, hunger, and hygiene needs so they can succeed in school. To date, Care to Learn has met over 4,600,000+ health, hunger, and hygiene needs of Missouri students. Headquartered in Springfield, MO, Care to Learn serves a population of 135,000+ students in 55+ school districts. The Care to Learn team is guided by our core values: servant-hearted, enthusiastic, striving for excellence, and constantly innovating. We are passionate and highly driven professionals excited to further the Care to Learn mission by positively impacting the communities we serve.