Director of Development & Communications

About Mental Wellness Center 

The Mental Wellness Center is a leading nonprofit organization in Santa Barbara, California, dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by mental illness through education, housing, and community-based services. MWC plays a critical role in the region's mental health ecosystem, working collaboratively with public agencies, healthcare providers, housing partners, and community organizations to create a more responsive and compassionate continuum of care.

The Role 

The Director of Development & Communications provides strategic and hands-on leadership for Mental Wellness Center’s fundraising, donor engagement, and external communications efforts. As MWC prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary, this is an exciting opportunity to strengthen philanthropic support, expand community engagement, and help shape how the organization shares its longstanding history, mission, programs, and impact. 

Blending fundraising strategy, relationship development, communications, and department leadership, you will lead the organization’s annual fundraising strategy while remaining actively involved in the day-to-day work of the Development and Communications Department. Your work will include donor cultivation and stewardship, annual giving campaigns, fundraising events, corporate and foundation partnerships, grant coordination, donor communications, database management, and fundraising reporting. 

As a member of the leadership team, you will work closely with the CEO, organizational leadership, Board members, staff, donors, and community partners. You will help identify opportunities for growth, strengthen fundraising systems, develop meaningful communications, and build sustainable philanthropic support for MWC’s future. 

This role is ideal for an experienced development professional who enjoys both strategy and execution-someone who can build relationships, recognize opportunities, strengthen systems, and roll up their sleeves to move the work forward. 

Seeking a Leader Who Wants to Make a Difference 

Most importantly, you are someone who believes in the power of relationships, storytelling, and community investment to advance mental wellness. You understand that successful development work is built on trust, consistency, collaboration, and a genuine connection to the organization’s mission. 

You do not need to have every answer. You do need to be curious, collaborative, comfortable taking ownership, and excited about building on what is working while helping MWC identify new opportunities for growth. 

Key Responsibilities 

Development Strategy & Department Leadership 

• Develop fundraising strategies in partnership with organizational leadership and translate organizational goals into measurable plans. 
• Identify opportunities to diversify philanthropic revenue and strengthen fundraising systems and practices. 
• Manage department priorities and provide direction to assigned staff, consultants, interns, and volunteers (at events). 

Fundraising & Donor Stewardship 

• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, sponsors, businesses, foundations, and community partners. 
• Coordinate donor meetings, tours, outreach, and personalized stewardship communications. 
• Partner with leadership and Board members on donor engagement and solicitation efforts. 

Campaigns, Grants & Resource Development 

• Lead annual giving campaigns, year-end appeals, online fundraising, sponsorships, and special initiatives. 
• Partner with internal departments and the external Grants Manager to coordinate grant applications, reports, supporting materials, and deadlines. 
• Identify and maintain corporate, foundation, matching-gift, and other philanthropic relationships. 

Events & Community Engagement 

• Lead fundraising events, donor cultivation activities, sponsorship programs, and community engagement opportunities. 
• In the case of annual gala and with lead support from an external event planner, manage event budgets, timelines, logistics, volunteers, auction procurement, and sponsorship fulfillment. 
• Oversee post-event stewardship and represent MWC at community and partnership events. 

Communications & Organizational Storytelling  

• Particularly through digital content and newsletters, develop donor and community communications that highlight MWC’s mission, programs, impact, and volunteer opportunities. 
• Conceive of organizational storytelling through fundraising materials, reports, and digital content and ensure all external communications are accurate. 

Donor Database, Reporting & Compliance 

• Administer DonorPerfect and oversee gift entry, acknowledgments, donor records, pledges, and campaign tracking. 
• Analyze donor activity, retention, campaign performance, and fundraising trends to guide strategy. 
• Collaborate with Finance Office to reconcile gifts and maintain accurate, compliant fundraising records. 

Executive, Board & Organizational Partnership 

• At the behest of the CEO, prepare fundraising reports, dashboards, presentations, and strategic updates for leadership and the Board. 
• Support leadership and Board members with donor meetings, solicitations, and stewardship activities. 
• Collaborate across departments to align fundraising, communications, and organizational priorities. 

What You Bring 

We are looking for an experienced, relationship-driven leader who is excited by the opportunity to strengthen fundraising, expand community engagement, and help shape how MWC shares its story. 

The ideal candidate will bring: 

• Development leadership experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, philanthropy, or related field. 
• A relationship-centered approach to working with donors, Board members, volunteers, foundations, businesses, and community partners. 
• Strategic and hands-on leadership, with the ability to guide long-term fundraising efforts while managing daily execution. 
• Strong communication and storytelling skills that can bring MWC’s mission, programs, and community impact to life. 
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines. 
• An analytical and improvement-focused mindset, with the ability to use fundraising data to guide decisions and strengthen results. 
• A collaborative leadership style and a genuine passion for advancing mental health and community wellness. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Marketing, Public Administration, or a related field preferred. 
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, philanthropy, or related field. 
• Strong knowledge of donor stewardship, annual giving, sponsorships, fundraising campaigns, and philanthropic best practices. 
• Good leadership, project management, organizational, decision-making, and relationship-building skills. 
• Ability to contribute strategically while overseeing day-to-day fundraising operations and execution. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, DonorPerfect, and Canva or comparable software. 
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record consistent with MWC’s policy and insurance requirements if driving is required. 

Salary: $90,000-$110,000 annually. Placement within the range is based on qualifications, experience, internal equity, and organizational need. 

Benefits: 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 
• Paid time off and holidays 
• 401(k) with employer match 
• Supplemental insurance options 
• Discounted pet insurance 
• Medical benefit opt-out incentive for eligible employees who waive agency-sponsored medical coverage and provide proof of alternative qualifying coverage 
• Monthly cell phone stipend when required for work-related business, in accordance with agency policy