Director of Development

THE OPPORTUNITY

Hand to Hold® is a nationally recognized nonprofit on a mission to ensure that every NICU family has a hand to hold when they need it most. One in seven babies born in the U.S. spends time in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Parenting a child in the NICU is a traumatic experience that increases a parent’s risk for developing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).

Hand to Hold provides compassionate, early‑intervention mental health support before, during, and after a NICU stay—at no cost to families nationwide.

As a Best Place for Working Parents® (2022–2025), Hand to Hold is seeking a dynamic, mission‑driven Director of Development who will lead with both heart and hustle. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role combines hands‑on fundraising execution with collaborative team leadership to strengthen and grow annual revenue beyond $1.5 M in FY26.

• Evaluating and optimizing the development team structure, including whether to rehire or reimagine the open Donor Engagement Specialist role
• Strengthening donor retention and individual giving programs
• Expanding the major donor portfolio
• Collaborating with the Marketing team and event partners to maximize sponsorship and event outcomes
• Establishing a robust and data‑driven development plan aligned with Hand to Hold’s strategic growth goals

The Director of Development will oversee all fundraising activities, including individual giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, major gifts, and grants. This person will mentor a talented development team, collaborate across departments, and personally engage in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

This is an ideal opportunity for a compassionate, results‑oriented fundraiser ready to play an integral leadership role in a growing, purpose‑driven organization.

• Lead execution of Hand to Hold’s comprehensive fundraising plan across individual, corporate, foundation, and event channels.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors ($7,500+), with the Executive Director stewarding donors at or above $50,000 annually.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to strengthen their role in fundraising, including training and equipping members for donor engagement.
• Partner with the Executive Director to advance the Hope Campaign and other multi‑year giving initiatives.
• Ensure timely, meaningful, and personalized stewardship for all donors and funders.
• Supervise and mentor a cross‑functional development team, including:
  Corporate Partnerships & Grants Manager – manages corporate relationships and grants >$5,000;
  Development Manager – oversees CRM, reporting, and fundraising systems; CRM & Stewardship Coordinator (part‑time) – manages grants =$5,000, donor stewardship, and data reporting.
• Assess departmental structure and staffing needs; make recommendations for new or redefined roles to strengthen fundraising capacity.
• Collaborate closely with the Marketing team and contracted event management firm to align fundraising, sponsorship, and event strategies.
• Provide strategic oversight and partnership in the cultivation, solicitation, and reporting of corporate and foundation relationships.
• Support proposal development and impact reporting in collaboration with the Corporate Partnerships & Grants Manager.
• Oversee sponsorship fulfillment and ensure corporate visibility aligns with partner expectations.

• Manage departmental budget, revenue projections, and fundraising KPIs.
• Develop and implement a multi‑year development plan aligned with the organization’s strategic plan and financial sustainability goals.
• Use CRM data to analyze performance, track progress toward goals, and identify trends or gaps.
• Provide clear, data‑driven fundraising reports to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

• A hands‑on fundraiser who thrives on relationship building and collaboration.
• An inspiring manager and coach who empowers others to succeed.
• A confident communicator and storyteller who connects donors to mission impact.
• A compassionate, equity‑minded professional motivated by supporting families through trauma,…