Development Director

We\'re hiring a Development Director to lead Good Cheer\'s fundraising and community engagement efforts. If you\'re an experienced relationship builder who is passionate about connecting people with meaningful causes, we\'d love to hear from you. This full-time leadership position oversees fundraising strategy, donor and grant development, community partnerships, communications, and fundraising events, all in support of our mission of creating a hunger-free community.

Salary: $82,000–$90,000 annually, depending on experience

About South Whidbey Good Cheer

For more than 60 years, South Whidbey Good Cheer has served our community through food bank services, thrift stores, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships. Today, Good Cheer provides food assistance to more than 1,600 individuals each month while operating two thrift stores, a production garden, and a variety of programs that help strengthen food security across South Whidbey.

As one of the island\'s largest nonprofit organizations, we believe strong relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We are seeking an experienced Development Director who is passionate about building those relationships and helping ensure Good Cheer has the financial resources to meet the growing needs of our community.

Position Summary

The Development Director is responsible for leading Good Cheer\'s fundraising and donor engagement efforts. The primary focus of this position is to cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, businesses, and community partners while developing sustainable fundraising strategies that strengthen the organization\'s long-term impact.

In addition to fundraising, this position oversees grant development, provides leadership for communications and community engagement, and guides fundraising events. The Development Director supervises the Communications & Community Outreach position, ensuring that organizational messaging, public engagement, and events support Good Cheer\'s fundraising and mission-driven goals.

The Development Director works closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners to advance Good Cheer\'s mission throughout South Whidbey.

Primary Responsibilities

• Development & Donor Relations (45%)
• The primary responsibility of this position is growing philanthropic support for Good Cheer.
• Responsibilities include:
• Develop and implement Good Cheer\'s annual fundraising strategy and campaign calendar.
• Cultivate, steward, and expand relationships with individual donors, businesses, foundations, and community supporters.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects.
• Develop annual giving campaigns, donor appeals, sponsorship opportunities, and fundraising initiatives.
• Support the Executive Director and Board of Directors in donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Analyze fundraising performance and recommend strategies for continued growth.
• Maintain oversight of donor stewardship activities and donor database management.
• Collaborate with program staff to identify compelling stories that connect donors with Good Cheer\'s mission.
• Research and identify grant opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Develop competitive grant proposals in collaboration with program staff and leadership.
• Write and submit grant applications and required reports.
• Maintain grant calendars, reporting deadlines, and compliance requirements.
• Build and maintain relationships with foundation and government funding partners.
• Maintain organized records of all grant activities and documentation.
• Community Engagement & Communications Leadership (15%)
• Supervise the Communications & Community Outreach position.
• Provide strategic direction for organizational communications, branding, and public engagement.
• Ensure communications efforts support fundraising, donor stewardship, and organizational priorities.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with local nonprofits, businesses, civic organizations, and community partners.
• Represent Good Cheer within the community to strengthen awareness and partnerships.
• Provide leadership and oversight for Good Cheer\'s annual fundraising and community event calendar.
• Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners to successfully execute fundraising events.
• Ensure events align with organizational fundraising and engagement goals.
• Oversee event budgets, sponsorships, planning timelines, and event evaluation while delegating operational responsibilities to staff and volunteers.

Qualifications

Required

• Three or more years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, donor relations, communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success cultivating donors and meeting fundraising goals.
• Experience researching, writing, and managing grants.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Experience using Microsoft Office and donor database/CRM software.
• Valid driver\'s license and reliable transportation.

Preferred

• Experience supervising staff.
• Experience with Bloomerang or a similar donor management system.
• Knowledge of nonprofit marketing and communications strategies.
• Familiarity with the South Whidbey community.