Development Director

The Development Director is responsible for managing and implementing the organizations fundraising efforts, establishing new relationships with potential donors, and cultivating current relationships while increasing visibility of ECA and future funding support.

Employee performs duties in a standard office environment with minimum supervision. Travel is required. Ability to demonstrate high-level communication skills, both written and verbal. Employee frequently plans and makes presentations with current and potential donors. Employee is required to handle a variety of tasks. Work may require light to moderate lifting. Ability to work a flexible schedule.

Engages and interfaces with program staff in submitting grants, networks with businesses, community agencies, administrators, media, vendors, donors, and the public.

Employee is expected to make substantial contributions to Early Childhood Alliance’s mission by communicating internally and externally the mission, vision, values, services, philosophy, and goals. Employee’s work is periodically reviewed by the CEO.

• Creates and directs strategic development plans with the guidance of the Board Development Committee. Manages the short and long-range development strategies in accordance with policies and priorities.

• Builds awareness of the mission, vision, and programs of ECA among key publics, with emphasis on expanding donor prospects.

• Establishes strong relationships with strategic partners across the counties served by ECA. Develops new individual, corporate and foundation relationships, and cultivates current donor relations.

• Plan and implement annual fundraising events with the assistance of the event committee. Attend and lead monthly committee meetings.

• Serves as staff liaison with the Board Development Committees. Create an agenda and lead committee meetings and assist in implementing fund development, special events and planned-giving strategies.

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donations from Individuals, corporations, and foundations with a key focus on building relationships

• Inform donors about the many avenues in which donations can be made to ECA including through planned giving, donor advised funds, monthly giving, matching gifts, matching gifts, investment accounts, and IRA gifts. Increase participation in our Early Learners Legacy Society and Early Learners Monthly Giving Society.

•  Provide general direction to the Director of Grant Administration with the grant submission and assist when needed.

•  Provide general direction to the Marketing Coordinator and assist with agency marketing efforts when needed. 

• Baccalaureate degree in a related field and/or at least three years of experience in fund development.

• Knowledge and/or experience with Donor software and marketing, i.e., Donor Perfect, Greater Giving, Constant Contact, and Canva.

•  Ability to multi-task and prioritize work, strong organization skills.

•  Excellent oral and written communications skills

•  Experience in the annual campaign process, event planning, marketing, corporate and foundation fund development, and donor relations.

•  Ability to communicate the needs, interests, and accomplishments of Early Childhood Alliance fully and accurately to a wide range of constituencies.

•  Ability to make formal presentations, including presentations to individual donors or large, professional audiences.

•  Demonstrates a critical eye for detail, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling to ensure high quality publications for internal and external use.

•  Proven ability to develop relationships and to raise significant financial support for Early Childhood Alliance.

CFRM credential is preferred.

Early Childhood Alliance is in Ft Wayne and Warsaw Indiana.

Full Time Benefits include: 

• Time Off:  PTO, 11.5 paid holidays, Bereavement 
• Insurance:  Health, Dental, and Vision, FSA, AFLAC
• Retirement: 403B and percent match after one year of employment
• Life and Disability Insurance paid by ECA after one year of employment.

Locations Beacon Learning Center  

2125 Beacon St  

Fort Wayne, IN 46805 

IMD Learning Program  

328 N. Park Ave  

Warsaw, IN 46580 

Salary : $55,000 - $65,000