Director of Development
The Director of Development is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing the mission and vision of Spike’s K9 Fund through strategic, sustainable, and relationship-driven fundraising. This position leads all revenue-generation efforts, with a strong emphasis on major gifts, donor stewardship, foundation partnerships, and campaign strategy, ensuring the organization has the resources needed to support working K9s throughout their service and into retirement.
The ideal candidate is an experienced, emotionally intelligent fundraiser who understands that effective philanthropy is rooted in trust, authenticity, and compelling storytelling. This individual will serve as a primary ambassador for Spike’s K9 Fund, engaging high-net-worth individuals, foundations, corporate partners, and passionate supporters who share the belief that every K9 who serves humans in the United States deserves to be safe, healthy, and effective during their working life and afterward.
Working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, the Director of Development will design and execute fundraising strategies that expand the organization’s reach, strengthen donor loyalty, and secure long-term sustainability, directly shaping the organization’s ability to deliver on its vision for the working K9 community nationwide.
Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Growth
- Develop and execute a comprehensive annual fundraising plan aligned with organizational goals and revenue targets
- Lead major gift cultivation and solicitation efforts with individuals, foundations, and corporate partners
- Identify, research, and pursue foundation and corporate grant opportunities
- Oversee annual giving campaigns across digital and peer-to-peer channels
- Develop and manage the development budget with attention to ROI
- Achieve revenue growth targets, generating a minimum of three times the total cost of the position and
- development operations
- Provide regular fundraising reports to the CEO and Board of Directors
Donor Engagement & Relationship Management
- Design and implement a moves management system to track donor relationships from identification through stewardship
- Personally manage a portfolio of 50–75 major gift prospects and donors
- Conduct 10–15 donor meetings monthly (in-person and virtual)
- Create compelling proposals and donor presentations aligned with donor interests
- Design and execute personalized stewardship plans that demonstrate impact and deepen engagement
- Develop donor recognition programs that honor contributions while respecting organizational culture
- Oversee donor engagement experiences and recurring giving programs
- Ensure timely gift processing, acknowledgments, and donor communications
Leadership, Collaboration & Communications
- Lead and develop development staff and external consultants as applicable
- Collaborate with partners to create compelling fundraising materials
- Contribute to donor-facing publications, reports, and digital content
Systems, Reporting & Fundraising Operations
- Oversee CRM management, data integrity, and donor tracking systems
- Establish standard operating procedures for all development activities
Qualifications
- Progressively responsible development experience with demonstrated success in major gifts fundraising
- Proven track record of personally securing gifts of $25,000+
- Experience managing donor portfolios and implementing move management strategies
- Strong understanding of philanthropic principles, donor psychology, and cultivation best practices
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to craft compelling narratives
- Proficiency with CRM systems and fundraising technology platforms
The Successful Candidate Will
- Lead with integrity, humility, accountability, and ethical fundraising practices
- Inspire confidence and trust in donors, colleagues, and stakeholders
- Demonstrate commitment to Spike’s K9 Fund’s mission
- Show genuine passion for supporting law enforcement, military, fire, and search and rescue handlers and their K9s
- Value authenticity over transactional relationships
- Balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
- Navigate ambiguity with professionalism and sound judgment
Salary: $110,000 – $125,000 (experience-based)
This position requires frequent national travel for donor meetings and events, flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed, and extended periods of computer-based work. In-person meetings and events may require standing, walking, and networking.