Development Manager

Job description

Who We Are: Established in 1934, Foundations Preschool of Washtenaw County has been a pioneer in providing childcare for 90 years. We are dedicated to increasing access to equitable, high-quality care and early education for underserved and historically marginalized families. Our mission is to empower families by offering reliable, year-round childcare that supports their ability to work full-time. To maximize our impact, Foundations provides tuition support, free meals and snacks, assistance with family assistance programs, a supplemental food pantry, in-house translation services, and a dedicated social worker. We also collaborate with local nonprofits to connect families with additional community resources, offering holistic support tailored to each family’s unique needs. Our vision is a community where every family’s needs are understood, valued, and met.

Who You Are: You are a motivated, organized self-starter with a passion for nonprofit fundraising. Whether you have prior experience or are eager to learn, you are ready to manage multiple projects simultaneously and execute them from start to finish. You possess the confidence and communication skills needed to generate outreach and engagement strategies and bring them to life. As the Development Manager, you will collaborate closely with the Executive Director and be the primary driver of fundraising efforts. With a forward-thinking and mission-driven approach, you will help Foundations achieve its financial goals, contributing to the sustainability of the organization.

Position Overview: The Development Manager assists the executive director in the implementation of comprehensive fundraising and donor engagement strategies that align with the mission of Foundations Preschool. You will focus on raising public awareness, securing financial support through donor cultivation and grants, and driving revenue growth. This role is vital in strengthening donor relations, managing the full lifecycle of grants, and ensuring effective stewardship and retention efforts. As a key member of the Leadership Team, you will report directly to the Executive Director and contribute to high-level decision-making related to the organization's financial sustainability and development strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

Grant Management:

• Research and identify grant opportunities to support both operational and strategic funding needs.
• Lead the writing and submission of grant proposals, ensuring alignment with the organization's priorities and goals.
• Manage grant reporting, ensuring timely and accurate submission of all required documents and evaluations.

Engagement and Cultivation:

• Build and nurture relationships with donors, community partners, and funders through targeted outreach and engagement activities.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to identify major donors and develop tailored cultivation plans.
• Create compelling fundraising and engagement materials, including print and digital communications for outreach and donor stewardship.
• Maintain the donor database, ensuring accurate tracking of donations, acknowledgments, and donor interactions.

Planning and Collaboration:

• Actively participate in weekly 1:1 and Leadership Team meetings to ensure alignment on development goals and strategies.
• Monitor and track key development metrics, adjusting strategies to optimize fundraising outcomes.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure development efforts align with programmatic and operational goals.

Marketing and Communications:

• Assist in donor cultivation efforts, including both physical and digital marketing campaigns.

Events:

• Attend and assist in fundraising events as needed, contributing to event planning and execution.

Additional Responsibilities:

• As part of a small nonprofit team, the Development Manager may be asked to take on additional duties as needed to support the organization's goals.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 1+ years of relevant experience in development, fundraising, or nonprofit management or demonstrated interest and motivation to learn quickly in this field.
• Prior experience working with youth service organizations or socioeconomically diverse populations is preferred.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize multiple projects.
• Mission-oriented and driven by the desire to fill organizational gaps with well-executed projects.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Strong computer literacy, with the ability to manage multiple databases and applications such as DonorPerfect, Procare, and Constant Contact.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft donor communications, marketing materials, and grant applications.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to leverage data for informed decision-making.
• Adaptable, flexible, and able to maintain a positive attitude, passionate about supporting children and families.
• Digital literacy across major social media platforms and ability to execute Foundations’ digital marketing plan.

**Evening and weekend obligations are very rare and communicated far in advance**

Why This Role Matters:

The Development Manager is critical to the financial sustainability and growth of Foundations Preschool. By securing the resources necessary to further our mission, you help ensure that children and families continue to receive the high-quality, accessible early education and support services they deserve. Your efforts will directly contribute to expanding the organization’s impact in the community.

Please apply through Handshake with a cover letter and resume. If you have any questions, email development@foundations-preschool.org

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person