Leadership role
Director of Development
Directs an organization's fundraising program, raising money from individuals, foundations, corporations and events.
Reporting and scope
Typically reports to the Executive Director / CEO or to a Chief Development Officer or VP of Development / Advancement. Authority covers fundraising strategy and the development staff.
Core responsibilities
- Builds the annual fundraising plan and budget and reports to the board's development committee
- Cultivates and solicits major donors, often with a personal portfolio
- Oversees grant proposals, reports and foundation relationships
- Runs annual appeals, events and donor recognition
- Maintains the donor database and gift processing controls
- Coordinates gift restrictions and pledge reporting with finance
- Engages board members in giving and asking
How it differs
Chief Development Officer and VP of Development / Advancement are the executive tiers above. Director of Major Gifts leads one channel. Director of Advancement usually adds alumni relations and communications. Director of Philanthropy is often the same job under a donor-centered title, common in health care.
By organization size
In organizations below a few million dollars this is often the only fundraising staff and does everything hands-on. In larger organizations it manages a team of gift officers and specialists.
Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: Director of Development; Development Director; Senior Director of Development; Development Dir.; Dir of Development; Dir. of Development