Director of Development

Imagine starting your workday knowing the impact of your efforts helps someone find companionship, whether that’s a kitten, a dog, or even a small pet like a rabbit or hamster. Or knowing that a senior’s pet got the veterinary care they needed so they can stay together, or a family in need are provided with pet food to get them through tough times.

Today, AARCS needs a committed fund development professional who is ready to tell the story of impact at AARCS, across our community, helping grow and prepare the organization for our eventual capital campaign.

If you value the profound role animals play in people’s lives and want to channel that passion into meaningful fundraising work, this role may be for you. We invite you to read on and learn more.

AARCS is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven fundraising leader who is passionate about animal welfare and committed to advancing our mission, and what is possible for our future, thanks to the thousands of donors who believe in the importance of our work.

As Director of Development, you will join a dynamic, supportive and mission-driven leadership team. Building on the exceptional donor engagement work of the current team, you will cultivate meaningful relationships with a committed and growing network of supporters and volunteers while championing a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Collaborating with the Executive Director and leadership team, you will shape and deliver on strategic long-term and short-term fundraising priorities including preparing for a capital campaign to build a new home for AARCS. With more than 5 years of past experience, you will manage a diversified portfolio of fund development initiatives, including capital campaign planning and strategy, major donor conversations, donor-giving programs across the fund development pyramid, sponsor ships, and grants, while overseeing communications that drive successful appeals and campaigns.

Your vision and leadership will build on AARCS’ brand as a trusted leader in animal welfare. Together with the Fund Development team, you will grow the relationships and raise the funds needed to meet long‑term strategic goals while growing a thriving funding base for our life‑saving operations and community support programs.

If you are a dynamic, creative, and strategic leader eager to transform the lives of animals and the people who love them, we’d love to meet you.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will:

• A growing fund development team, building on current momentum and identifying new opportunities who will help execute many of these responsibilities
• An elevated donor cultivation and stewardship practice focused on personalized, meaningful, and trust‑building engagement
• By example, expanding ways in which philanthropy can be part of everyday experiences at AARCS
• Campaigns, working with staff and volunteers to engage transformational donors

• Fundraising strategy and plans to achieve philanthropic priorities, including setting goals and timelines, tracking progress, and adapting as needed
• Meaningful relationships with government and community partners
• Campaign plans, volunteer and donor engagement strategies, in collaboration with Executive Director and other leadership

• Prospect research, donor data analysis, database management, and processes to strengthen fund development operations

• The Executive Director in managing key donor relationships
• Volunteers, board members, and champions, equipping them with the guidance and tools to meaningfully participate in fundraising efforts

• The impact of philanthropy on animals’ lives and AARCS’ future growth; through funding appeals, grant proposals, donor correspondence, digital campaigns, website and annual reports
• Collaborate with the communications team to elevate the donor voice across the organization’s various communications platforms
• Through detailed and transparent progress reports for the Executive Director, Board, and other stakeholders

• Donors, volunteers, adopters, and staff, and the countless animal lives they save each and every day