Development Director

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island (WFRI) is hiring for the Development Director position located in Providence, Rhode Island. The successful candidate will have qualifications and competencies in a variety of fundraising strategies, including grant writing, event management, peer-to-peer virtual campaigning, direct mail, sponsorships, and individual donor stewardship.  The ideal candidate will be creative and assertive, understanding both the challenges and opportunities of working for a small nonprofit organization.

Equity and inclusion are key values of our organization, and we continue to evolve to embody these values. As such, we recognize our responsibility to ensure our practices prioritize our values when hiring staff and vendors, recruiting board members/volunteers/fellows, investing resources, holding training, and advocating for policy change. The person hired for this role will have values consistent with intersectional feminism, anti-racism, social justice, and participatory democracy.

Responsibilities

1. Manage policies, systems, and procedures that support timely and accurate donor and grant documentation/reporting and provide accurate information on which to grow a philanthropy program.

2. Expand and enhance fundraising activities that engage a growing donor and volunteer base representative of the diverse communities served by WFRI.

3. Manage solicitation strategies that include gift range tiers, volunteer/staff assignments, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and recognition.

4. Educate and engage philanthropic partners on giving through direct mail, brochures, web pages, and campaign materials that list available gift vehicles, benefits, and instructions for execution.

5. Research, write and submit gift requests and grant proposals to organizations, corporations, and foundations.

6. Recruit and work directly with the Events Committee to adequately cultivate, solicit, and acknowledge event sponsorships and paid marketing initiatives. Coordinate and execute sponsor benefits. 

7. Engage with and develop volunteer relationships, and support increased volunteer leadership development related to fundraising.

8. Work with team members to utilize social media, online, and mobile giving tools to broaden philanthropic support.

• You are committed to WFRI’s mission of feminism, social, racial, and economic justice. 

• You have at least three (3) years of demonstrated experience in a variety of fundraising strategies, such as grant writing, events planning, direct mail, peer-to-peer campaigns, and corporate/foundation solicitation.  

• You have excellent oral and written communication skills. 

• You have strong organizational, project management, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. 

• You have experience managing volunteers. 

• You have experience in persuading, influencing, and motivating volunteers and donors.

• You have experience facilitating group discussions.

• You are self-directed with a commitment to building deep and lasting relationships with WFRI supporters, volunteers, partners, and grantees. 

• Experience with Bloomerang CRM, Eventzilla and FundraiseUp desired but not required.

• You have access to a vehicle and a valid driver’s license.

This position is exempt and full-time with a salary range of $50,000-$75,000 plus health insurance and retirement contribution. This position reports to the CEO. We are a hybrid organization with at least one scheduled “in office” day for all staff. Outside of scheduled office days, you will have the ability to work from home included, if desired (not required). 

Submit a resume and cover letter. Please describe why you want to do this job and how you meet our desired qualifications in your cover letter. This position will be open until filled and will remain on our website until then. If the posting is still up, you should still apply! 

Please submit a cover letter and resume (preferably through email) to knevins@wfri.org. You  may also mail (not required) these documents to: 

Kelly Nevins, CEO 

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island 

222 Chestnut Street

Providence, RI 02903