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 (10%)

• Cross-Department Partnership: Partner across departments to demystify development and build an organization-wide culture of philanthropy. 
• Internal Coaching: Coach and equip program leaders, executive leadership, and internal staff to confidently articulate Foster America's impact, identify storytelling opportunities, and participate in donor engagement.

Success for the Director of Development means: 

• Donor Relationships & Growth: Consistently expanding the reach and depth of philanthropic partnerships, growing the donor pipeline, and securing long-term major donor commitments;
• Culture of Philanthropy: Building an inclusive culture of philanthropy across the organization by equipping staff, leadership, and the Board with the skills and confidence to serve as effective fundraising champions.
• Revenue & Sustainability: Contributing substantially to meeting or exceeding annual revenue goals by building a strong, diversified pipeline, maximizing donor retention and growth, and ensuring disciplined execution of the annual fundraising plan;
• Development Systems: Building and maintaining efficient fundraising operations, donor management workflows, and reporting procedures to steward more relationships with ease and efficiency.

This is an exciting opportunity for a development professional to help shape and grow Foster America’s philanthropic reach. 

You will ideally bring:

• Experience: Minimum 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit development, major gift fundraising, or institutional giving.  
• Track Record: Proven track record of contributing to successful fundraising efforts totaling at least seven figures annually, including cultivating major individual donors and securing foundation grants.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling donor communications and proposals.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders in a fast-moving environment.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience guiding matrixed project teams, setting department metrics, coaching colleagues, and building cross-functional alignment.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher required.

This position will require:

• Location: Remote (U.S.-based).  
• Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods sitting and working at a computer.  
• Travel: Up to 20% for donor meetings, team retreats, and board gatherings.

Foster America is committed to building a team that reflects the communities most affected by the systems we work to transform. We believe that diversity of lived experience, professional background, and perspective is essential to our work. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. For this role, we are looking for a leader with a demonstrated record of impact. We recognize that strong leaders have arrived at this work through many different paths. If you see yourself in this role description and meet most of what we're looking for, we hope you'll apply.

Salary is commensurate with experience in the range of $120,000 – $145,500. Foster America offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance, paid vacation, paid parental leave, paid holidays, commuter benefits, participation in a retirement plan, paid sick time, and professional development opportunities.