Director of Development | Soaring Spirits International

Details

Full-time | Salary Range: $110,000–$130,000 + Benefits
REMOTE

Overview

Soaring Spirits International (SSI) advances a comprehensive, four-pillar approach to supporting widowed people through direct services, family resources, professional grief literacy, and a growing public health initiative. Our work is grounded in evidence-based practices and delivered through thoughtfully designed virtual and in-person programs that foster connection, resilience, and forward movement.

SSI is a secular, inclusive organization guided by the values of Hope, Inclusion, Kindness and Compassion, Validation, and being a Force for Good for Widowed People. We believe in the power of community, education, and advocacy to change how widowhood is understood and supported, and we act with intention to ensure widowed people experience dignity, agency, and meaningful connection.

This role represents a pivotal moment for SSI. The Director of Fund Development will be the first hire of this kind for a mid-sized, rapidly growing nonprofit and will play a central role in shaping fundraising strategy, infrastructure, and fundraising culture in alignment with SSI’s mission and values.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this role is designed for a strategic, relational leader who thrives in a nimble, fast-paced, community-centered, environment.

What Makes This Role Unique

• This is an opportunity for a visionary builder to make a lasting mark—designing and executing a comprehensive, long-range fundraising strategy that helps transform how widowed people are supported, rather than maintaining the status quo.
• This is a foundational leadership role, not a replacement position.
• You will work alongside a small but mighty, deeply mission-driven team that collaborates closely and carries multiple responsibilities.
• SSI is experiencing significant growth with exponential potential; this role ensures funding strategy and infrastructure evolve alongside expanding impact.
• SSI is transitioning from Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge to Salesforce; expertise in both systems is highly valued, with a strong emphasis on Salesforce-forward thinking.
• As funding streams increase, this role will build and lead a fund development team over time.
• This position is part of a broader cultural narrative changing how widowed people are supported across communities nationally and globally.

Key Responsibilities

• Fund Development Strategy & Revenue Growth
• Design, implement, and lead a comprehensive, multi-year fund development strategy aligned with SSI’s mission, four pillars of service, strategic plan and fund development history.
• Lead fundraising efforts that steward and grow a current $1.5 million annual operating budget, while building sustainable funding streams for future expansion.
• Drive diversified revenue across individual giving, major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and events.
• Establish annual and long-term revenue targets, using data and analysis to adapt strategy and ensure organizational sustainability.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Major Gifts & Donor Engagement

• Expand and manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects using a relationship-centered, values-aligned approach.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO on high-level donor relationships and solicitations.
• Ensure donors experience SSI as a trusted, mission-driven organization grounded in care, clarity, quality, and impact.
• Lead donor engagement and recognition strategies that deepen connection and long-term commitment.

Flagship Event Strategy: Hope Takes Flight Gala

• Provide senior-level leadership for SSI’s flagship fundraising event, the Hope Takes Flight Gala, leveraging it as a high-impact relationship-building and revenue-generating tool.
• Engage in high-level strategy related to donor and sponsor identification, cultivation, and stewardship through the gala experience.
• Partner closely with the CEO to use the gala as a platform for strengthening relationships with donors, sponsors, and key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with event producers and internal team members to deliver a high-quality guest experience while maintaining strong return on investment.
• Oversee gala-related fundraising goals, sponsorship strategy, and post-event follow-up to maximize long-term donor engagement.

Communications & Storytelling

• Provide strategic leadership for development-related messaging and fundraising communications using the SSI Voice.
• Serve as the primary driver of fundraising campaigns, appeals, proposals, and impact reporting, engaging team members for support as capacity allows.
• Ensure communications foster trust, emotional safety, and clarity while accurately reflecting SSI’s mission, quality and impact.

Systems, Data & Infrastructure

• Lead the evolution of SSI’s fundraising systems and infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on Salesforce.
• Oversee donor data strategy, reporting, and analysis to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Ensure best practices for data integrity, compliance, and security.
• Guide the organization through its CRM transition to support scalability, transparency, and collaboration.
• Engage in A/B testing of language and materials to best engage various donor groups and identities.

Leadership & Organizational Partnership

• Serve as a senior leader within SSI, contributing to strategic planning and organizational decision-making.
• Build the foundation for a future fund development team as revenue grows, establishing roles, systems, and practices aligned with SSI’s values.
• Steward and strengthen board member relationships to advance fundraising goals, supporting accountability, engagement, and long-term philanthropic partnership in alignment with SSI’s mission and values.
• Collaborate across the organization in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating flexibility, emotional intelligence, and shared accountability.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in nonprofit fund development, including at least three (3) years in a senior or leadership role with responsibility for fundraising strategy, revenue growth, and high-level donor engagement.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or professional certification (CFRE or similar) preferred.
• Demonstrated success growing fundraising programs within scaling or evolving organizations.
• Ability to build strong relationships with board members and support their engagement in cultivating and activating personal and professional networks in service of SSI’s mission.
• Experience with Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge and Salesforce; strong preference for Salesforce expertise.
• Grant writing experience preferred, including proposal development aligned with organizational strategy and funder priorities.
• Marketing and communications experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills rooted in empathy and clarity.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace.
• High level of initiative, accountability, adaptability, and comfort working in a remote, collaborative setting.
• Lived experience with grief and bereavement.
• Availability to travel and to work evenings and weekends as required to support fundraising priorities and major events.
• Deep alignment with SSI’s mission, values, and commitment to serving widowed people with compassion and care.

Commitment to Inclusion
SSI strives to be a welcoming and inclusive environment and is committed to building a diverse workplace. SSI promotes rigorous policies and practices of equal opportunity and inclusion and seeks to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

To Apply: https://soaringspirits.org/about-us/join-our-team/