Director of Development

Who We Are

At the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC), we have a mission to diminish poverty and enable self-sufficiency for all Howard County individuals, families, and children in need. We take action towards this mission by focusing on five critical services: housing assistance, food assistance, energy assistance, weatherization assistance, and early childhood education. CAC impacts our local community by changing lives and helping create a pathway through and out of poverty or just providing a hand up when one is needed.

Who You Are

As the Director of Donor Development, you are a dynamic, results-driven fundraising professional with a strategic, resilient mindset. Your role is critical in securing essential financial support to enable CAC to meet community needs. You are an outgoing relationship builder, skilled at storytelling and building a compelling case for support.

Reporting to the President, you will lead CAC’s fundraising efforts and build strategic relationships with new and existing donors, from individuals to corporations, to further our mission to diminish poverty and enable self-sufficiency for all Howard County individuals, families, and children in need.

Responsibilities

• Donor Stewardship: Maintain a portfolio of major donors, cultivating new prospects and deepening existing relationships to secure significant contributions. Develop a pipeline of at least 75 new donors capable of making five-to-seven-figure gifts.
• Strategic Planning: Create an annual comprehensive Development Plan that aligns with CAC’s organizational Strategic Plan and surpasses prior year’s goals.
• Compliance Expertise Data Management: Ensure compliance with all fundraising regulations, safeguarding the organization's reputation and integrity.
• Data Management: Collect and maintain required documentation and key data points for all contacts, including detailed contact notes, to maintain a well-organized donor database. Run reports on demand to demonstrate proper donor stewardship.
• Corporate Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison for corporate partnerships both within and outside of Howard County. Lead tours for corporate groups in collaboration with the Development and Community Engagement Team. Manage corporate and foundation grant opportunities in collaboration with CAC’s Grants Manager.
• Board and Leadership Relations: Act as a key Development liaison with the Board of Directors and Leadership Team, providing fundraising support, training, and guidance.
• Planned Giving Program: Develop, launch, and maintain a Planned Giving Program, working with donors and their advisors to secure legacy gifts.
• Capital Campaign: Manage and successfully execute CAC’s Cornerstone of Opportunity Campaign.
• Events Management: Plan, produce, and execute high-quality fundraising events designed to raise awareness and engage donors through sponsorships.
• Executive Representation: Attend executive-level networking events, representing the organization alongside or in lieu of the President.
• Community Partnership: Collaborate with cross-departmental teams to ensure CAC builds and maintains relationships in the region that benefit the community’s needs and CAC’s mission, including supervision of CAC’s Volunteer Program.
• Other duties as assigned

AAP/EEO Statement:

Community Action Council of Howard County is an equal opportunity employer.

***Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. ***

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or related field; equivalent experience considered
• 10-15 years in strategic fundraising, including soliciting legacy gifts and managing planned giving programs.
• Experience completing successful seven-figure capital campaigns.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with a proactive and detail-oriented approach.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly.
• Experience managing teams.
• Advanced proficiency with the Office 365 suite of products and CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce.com)
• Willingness and ability to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) certification.

What We Offer: CAC Benefits - A recruitment incentive may be offered for this position

E-Verify Notice: The Company participates in E-Verify. All new hires must complete Form I-9 and their employment eligibility will be confirmed through the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit: www.e-verify.gov

Important Notice to Applicants: To be considered for this position, applicants must fully complete the application process. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered. Please ensure that all required fields, documents, and information are submitted before the application deadline.