Development Director

Description

Purpose of Position: To lead RAMP’s overall fund development strategy, revenue growth, and long-term philanthropic sustainability. Direct annual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate and foundation partnerships, campaigns, and fundraising events; supervise and develop Development staff; and maintain accountability for departmental fundraising results. Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors on major donor cultivation and fundraising opportunities, and collaborate with Marketing to align development initiatives with RAMP’s mission and community engagement priorities.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Position Location: Home office is located in Rockford, IL; opportunity for hybrid work following successful 90-day onboarding.

Primary Responsibilities

Development Strategy, Fundraising & Grants

• Develop and drive fundraising strategy and revenue growth in alignment with organizational goals.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of annual giving, major gifts, capital and special campaigns, corporate and foundation giving, sponsorships, and fundraising events, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and revenue goals.
• Research, write, submit, and manage grant applications and reports; maintain a pipeline of prospective funding opportunities and coordinate with program staff and Finance on accurate budgets, outcomes, funder reporting, and compliance.
• Develop and manage the annual Development budget, oversee event and campaign budgets, monitor fundraising revenue and expenses, and ensure financial decisions align with approved organizational budgets and goals.
• Provide regular fundraising updates and progress reports to the CEO, Management Team, and Board of Directors.

Donor Relations & Stewardship

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective donors and sponsors through meaningful and ongoing engagement.
• Develop and implement donor acquisition, retention, recognition, and stewardship strategies; establish clear responsibilities for assigned donor and sponsor relationships across the Development team.
• Maintain accurate donor records, prospect information, and development files.
• Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors and key supporters, and support appropriate Board participation in fundraising and stewardship.
• Ensure timely and meaningful donor recognition and stewardship.

Development Leadership, Community Partnerships & Collaboration

• Supervise and develop Development staff, including the Development Associate, by setting priorities and measurable performance expectations, providing coaching and feedback, and monitoring results in RAMP’s Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE).
• Provide strategic direction and oversight for fundraising events and initiatives implemented by the Development Associate, including approved goals, budgets, sponsorship strategies, and post-event evaluation; retain accountability for overall departmental outcomes.
• Collaborate with RAMP’s Marketing staff to align development priorities, fundraising communications, promotional plans, and community engagement efforts; coordinate responsibilities and timelines with the Development Associate.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, businesses, foundations, and other partners to advance fundraising, resource development, and organizational goals.
• Represent RAMP at community events, meetings, networking opportunities, and other external engagements to cultivate relationships, strengthen partnerships, and identify opportunities for funding and support.

Key Performance Metrics

• Achieve or exceed approved annual departmental fundraising revenue goals while managing the Development budget within approved parameters.
• Meet or exceed established revenue, net proceeds, sponsorship, and participation goals for fundraising events, campaigns, and other development initiatives.
• Complete and submit 100% of grant applications, reports, and required funder materials accurately and on or ahead of established deadlines.
• Maintain an active, documented pipeline of prospective individual, corporate, foundation, and community supporters, with annual prospecting and fundraising goals established in the development plan.
• Meet annual donor acquisition and retention targets established in the development plan; monitor progress across the department and assigned donor portfolios.
• Monitor and report progress toward development goals to the CEO and Board, adjust strategies when needed, and establish and review measurable performance goals for Development staff.

Requirements

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage donors, community partners, Board members, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrates ability to build and maintain strong relationships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and community partners.
• Strong fundraising, major-gift solicitation, grant writing, research, and prospect development, and donor stewardship skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and follow projects through to completion.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, develop, and hold staff accountable for measurable results while supporting appropriate independence.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Highly self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to prioritize work independently, make sound decisions, and remain accountable for outcomes in a Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE).
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to remain professional and productive in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to represent RAMP professionally and persuasively with demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the Independent Living Philosophy, disabilities rights, inclusion, choice, and self-determination.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (including Teams, SharePoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook) and donor management/CRM systems; ability to analyze donor activity, generate reports, and monitor fundraising performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff, setting performance expectations, providing coaching, and evaluating results; comparable formal team-leadership experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience of a minimum of five (5) years, researching, writing, and managing grants, including funder reporting and deadline compliance; experience cultivating major donors and corporate or foundation support.
• Experience with grant writing, donor cultivation, major gifts, and corporate and foundation fundraising, preferred.
• CFRE certification preferred, not required.
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising principals, donor stewardship, revenue planning, and ethical fundraising practices.
• Experience using donor management/CRM systems to maintain records, analyze fundraising performance and support reporting. Experience with DonorPerfect preferred, not required.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the Independent Living Philosophy and disability inclusion; relevant professional, personal, and lived experience will be considered. Personal experience with a disability is preferred, not required.
• Ability to communicate RAMP’s mission and the Independent Living Philosophy effectively to donors, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as required for meetings, events, and organizational activities.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salaried/Exempt: 26 bi-weekly pay dates, working a minimum of 40 hours per week.
• Salary Range: $70,000 - $95,000 based on experience.
• Supportive Work Culture: Be part of an inclusive, compassionate, and respectful work environment that values your contributions and fosters personal and professional growth.
• Mileage and Expense Reimbursement: All job-related mileage and qualifying expenses are reimbursed.
• Performance-Based Work Model: Autonomy in determining how and when to achieve established work outcomes, consistent with organizational responsibilities, scheduled commitments, and performance expectations.

Full Benefits Package:

• 2 weeks of PTO, accrued over 26 pay periods, available after 90 days
• 2 weeks of sick/wellness time, accrued over 26 pay periods, available immediately, upon accrual
• 14 observed holidays, including a floating holiday
• Holiday Gift Week, paid time off between Christmas and New Years
• 401K program with employer match, currently 3%, with ROTH option
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage, partially covered by RAMP
• Vision and Dental insurance coverage, dental partially covered by RAMP
• Life Insurance Coverage, covered by RAMP
• Supplemental Voluntary Coverage options including Accident, Life Insurance, AD&D Insurance, Short and Long-Term Disability, Identity Theft Protection, and Legal Assistance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all family members

Work and Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in an office environment, including using a computer for extended periods, and communicating via email and phone.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, to accommodate meetings and events scheduled outside regular business hours.
• May occasionally require standing, walking, bending, carrying or moving event materials, and other light physical activity associated with meetings and special events.
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Disclaimer: The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

RAMP provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This statement applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.