Director of Development and Communications

The Director of Development and Communications is a senior leadership role at Friends In Deed, responsible for overseeing and executing comprehensive fundraising and communications strategies that sustain and grow the organization’s mission to support people experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and housing instability in Pasadena. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this position works closely and collaboratively with development colleagues, program directors, board members, and the senior leadership team to engage individual and institutional donors throughout the full donor cycle. This position plays a central role in raising a significant portion of Friends In Deed’s annual operating revenue and advancing long-term organizational sustainability.

The Director of Development and Communications manages a robust major gifts portfolio, cultivating and stewarding high-net-worth individuals through personalized engagement, strategic solicitation, and long-term relationship building. In partnership with the Chief Executive Officer and Board leadership, this position plays a key role in planning and executing an upcoming capital campaign, including prospect strategy, donor cultivation, and campaign solicitation. The Director also serves as an external ambassador for the organization, leads development and communications strategy, mentors staff, and ensures that Friends In Deed’s story, impact, and values are communicated clearly and compellingly to the community.

Primary Responsibilities:

Leadership, Supervision & Strategy

Provide direct supervision and leadership to department full-time staff:

Grants Manager

Development Manager, Marketing and Communications

Development Manager, Events and Advancement Services

Set clear departmental goals, monitor progress, and provide regular reporting to the CEO and Board

Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors on fundraising, communications, and growth initiatives

Develop and maintain a comprehensive annual and multi-year development plan aligned with organizational priorities

Oversee the Development and Communications budget, forecasting revenue and managing expenses

Ensure all fundraising and communications practices meet ethical standards, nonprofit regulations, and compliance requirements

Fundraising & Revenue Development

Lead all fundraising efforts, including individual giving, major gifts, institutional giving, events, and campaigns

Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through a variety of outreach efforts and engagement strategies

Develop new and creative fundraising initiatives to expand Friends In Deed’s donor base and revenue streams

Maintain and refine the annual development calendar, including campaigns, grant deadlines, stewardship touchpoints, and events

Research, cultivate, and manage corporate and foundation relationships

Schedule and manage the Board Advancement Committee in partnership with the Committee Chair

Mentor and train staff and Board members in fundraising best practices and donor engagement

Major Gifts & Capital Campaign

Identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts in the $10,000–$100,000 range and above

Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors

Create individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies for top prospects and Board-led asks in collaboration with the CEO

Lead stewardship strategies for major donors, ensuring meaningful engagement, recognition, and impact reporting

Play a leadership role in the planning and execution of Friends In Deed’s capital campaign, including prospect strategy, donor engagement, and solicitation support

Institutional Giving & Grants

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with foundation, corporate, and institutional funders

Work closely with the Grants Manager on prospect research, grant strategy, applications, reporting, and compliance

Track and report on the impact of grants and institutional gifts to ensure continued support

Events

Provide strategic oversight for fundraising and cultivation events

Evaluate and oversee the annual events calendar, working closely with the Development Manager, Events and Advancement Services

Work closely with Development staff, Board, committees, contractors, and volunteers to ensure successful execution

Communications & Marketing

Oversee organizational communications and branding strategy

Develop a media and publicity plan, working with the Development Manager, Marketing and Communications

Guide content development for website, newsletters, donor communications, annual report, and fundraising materials

Oversee writing and distribution of external communications

Donor Data & Operations

Oversee donor database integrity and data management (Little Green Light, DonorSearch)

Ensure timely acknowledgments, receipting, and donor recognition

Use data and reporting to inform fundraising strategy, donor retention, and growth

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; CFRE or Master’s degree preferred

6–10 years of progressive nonprofit development experience, including major gifts, institutional giving, and events

Demonstrated experience leading fundraising strategy and managing revenue goals

Proven supervisory experience with the ability to mentor and develop staff

Strong knowledge of fundraising databases; experience with Little Green Light and DonorSearch preferred

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including donor-facing storytelling

Highly organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities

Collaborative leadership style with strong relationship-building skills

Creativity, initiative, and sound judgment in advancing fundraising and communications efforts

Position requires flexibility to attend evening and/or weekend meetings and events, as needed.