Director of Development

WHO WE ARE

Foster America’s vision is that every child, youth, and family thrives. Our mission is to transform systems that serve children, youth, and families, together with communities, by innovating for a more just, equitable future.

We work alongside communities and government, centering the expertise of people with lived experience, to build a future where families have the support and resources they need to thrive. Our strategy focuses on four interconnected areas: developing and equipping leaders, facilitating aligned field action, co-designing innovative solutions, and codifying and amplifying learning. Through this work, we help turn bold ideas and community expertise into lasting systems change.

To learn more about Foster America, please visit https://www.foster-america.org/

Role Purpose

As Foster America marks its 10-year anniversary, we stand at a pivotal moment of momentum and growth. With deep partnerships across local governments and national philanthropy, a loyal base of individual supporters, and robust internal data-tracking systems, we have built a strong foundation for our next era of growth. We are primed to expand into new revenue streams - including earned revenue, corporate partnerships, and local philanthropy - and further strengthen and diversify our philanthropic support.

To lead this effort, Foster America seeks a Director of Development to drive revenue growth, strengthen our long-term sustainability, and lead the day-to-day implementation of our fundraising strategy. Reporting to the Vice President of Development and Strategic Partnerships (VP), the Director of Development will translate organizational revenue strategy into actionable fundraising plans; manage a portfolio of institutional and individual donors; lead grant development, reporting, and stewardship; and oversee donor pipeline management and development operations. 

As part of a three-person development team alongside our Development and Communications Associate and the VP, the Director will partner cross-functionally with executive leadership, program teams, finance, and communications to elevate a high-performing, disciplined development function. 

Donor Cultivation & Portfolio Management (35%): 
- Grow Funder Relationships: Manage and grow a portfolio of institutional and individual donors and prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Build authentic relationships that deepen donor engagement and increase long-term giving. 
- Strategic Donor Partnerships: Partner with the VP of Development & Strategic Partnerships on principal and strategically significant donor relationships, including prospect strategy, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. 

Revenue Strategy & Institutional Giving (30%): 
- Actionable Revenue Plans: Translate Foster America’s organizational revenue strategy into actionable fundraising plans across foundations, corporate partners, government sources, and individual giving. 
- Institutional Growth: Manage institutional fundraising strategies and identify and develop high-value funding opportunities. 
- Proposal Development: Lead the development of persuasive, mission-aligned proposals in partnership with the VP, program leaders, and other organizational stakeholders.

Development Operations, Data & Systems (15%): 
- Systems Oversight: Oversee donor database systems, prospect tracking, revenue forecasting, and gift processing workflows. 
- Data Analytics: Analyze donor data regularly to evaluate trends, identify opportunities, and refine fundraising tactics.

Team Leadership & Department Management (10%): 
- Functional Coaching: Provide task prioritization, project-level guidance, and functional coaching to the Development & Communications Associate on fundraising deliverables. 
- Goal Alignment: Collaborate with the Associate to align day-to-day development activities with departmental goals and support development budget tracking.

Culture of Philanthropy & Team Enablement