Director of Development

The Gentle Barn Foundation is seeking an experienced, motivated Director of Development to join our growing and dedicated team.  Reporting directly to the Co-Founder, this senior position is responsible for qualifying, soliciting, cultivating, and developing individual gifts, grants and strategic relationships.

This is an incredible opportunity for the right candidate who is dedicated to the protection of animals, safety of children and the preservation of our planet.  As a member of this national non-profit’s development team, you will be supporting the continued success of this ever evolving and exciting organization.

The Gentle Barn is a celebrated 20 year national nonprofit, founded in 1999 as a sanctuary and place of recovery for severely abused animals and children. We offer a proprietary philosophy of rehabilitating animals and connecting their stories of survival and healing to the personal experiences of children in need. Participants in our life-changing programs learn empathy, trust and forgiveness through interactions with our rehabilitated animals and take a hands-on role in their welfare. Those who attend our programs gain a positive sense of themselves, feel seen, understood and often for the first time in their lives, believe that they matter.

Our Ideal Candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Five to ten years of experience with a related college degree
• Proven development and cultivation skills with high net worth individuals
• Experience working with donor database software required, preferably Raiser’s Edge NXT
• Must have a proven track record in prospect management and individual gift solicitation
• Availability to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings as required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Must be a proactive problem solver
• Must be capable of working both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to exemplify both discretion and confidentiality
• Requires valid driver’s license and reliable means of transportation

About the position:

• Oversee and maintain the organization’s donor database (Blackbaud)
• Plan and execute solicitations of donors and prospects
• Collaborate with the Co-Founder and executive team on strategies for giving campaigns, planned giving and a variety of fundraising events nationally
• Cultivate donors and develop leads to ensure high levels of engagement
• Engage donors and prospects at events and other venues as part of the cultivation process
• Oversee donor development and outreach for locations nationwide
• Manage ongoing grant writing and research for projects as they arise
• Coordinate monthly and quarterly mass mailers with print houses
• Assist with campaign planning and marketing related to development
• Track and provide reporting on donations, campaigns, & fundraising events
• Assist and organize projects binders for campaigns and fundraising events
• Support the Co-Founder as required