Director of Development

Title:Director of Development
Reports to:President
Location:Remote
Schedule:Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Status:Full Time – Exempt (40-hour work week with full-time benefits)
Compensation:Starting range $126k–$180k
Benefits:Hybrid in-person and remote; insurance includes 100% employer-paid employee health, dental, short-term and long-term disability, and 50% employer-paid dependent health and dental coverage; 403(b) plan, profit-sharing plan (employer contribution up to 5% annually); PTO starting at 200 hours per year, increasing each year thereafter; tuition reimbursement; and retreat/volunteer time off and reimbursement; tuition reimbursement

To Apply:Submit your cover letter and résumé to jobs using subject line “Director of Development”

The Mind & Life Institute seeks a strategic, values-driven Director of Development to lead and grow a comprehensive fundraising program that supports our mission to bridge science and contemplative wisdom to foster insight and inspire action toward flourishing.

This role oversees all aspects of development including major gifts, annual giving, institutional giving, donor relations, donor stewardship events, campaign design, planned giving, and donor communications. For context, in 2026 this role will oversee and strengthen a philanthropy ecosystem generating $1 million annually, with a particular focus on growing unrestricted funding. Mind & Life recently completed a successful $20,000,000 endowment campaign.

The Director will cultivate partnerships that support funding our mission. The Director will also supervise two staff on the development team. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, skilled communicator, and relationship builder who is committed to the inner transformation that drives human and planetary flourishing.

• Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy, including plans for securing financial support from individuals and foundations that align with Mind & Life’s strategic goals and supports operational and programmatic priorities
• Lead all individual giving programs, including major gifts, annual fund, planned giving, and donor stewardship
• Partner with leadership and the Board to identify prospects and co-create meaningful engagement strategies

• Visit, call, and write donors and potential donors
• Cultivate and steward a portfolio of major donors and prospects, deepening relationships that reflect the values of compassion, curiosity, and integrity
• Ensure thoughtful, consistent donor communication through personalized updates and impact stories
• Plan and execute donor events and engagement opportunities, including those around flagship convenings such as the Summer Research Institute and Mind & Life Dialogues

• Collaborate with foundation giving staff to align proposals with strategic priorities
• Lead relationship development with foundations.

• Collaborate with communications staff to align communications and advancement in support of Mind & Life strategic priorities.
• Provide leadership and oversight of donor communications.

• Works collaboratively as part of a self-starting team
• Operates cross-functionally with communications, programs, and operations to ensure fundraising is integrated and aligned across the organization
• Foster a culture of philanthropy and shared responsibility within the organization, including supporting Board engagement in fundraising

• Maintain accurate donor data and tracking through CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce)
• Track and report progress toward revenue goals and KPIs to senior leadership and the Board
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and ethical stands in the nonprofit sector regarding fundraising and financial management

• Energetic and charismatic leader with strong interpersonal skills and ability to represent the organization’s interests to a wide spectrum of constituent groups
• Deep alignment with Mind & Life’s mission and values, including a commitment to inner work, compassion, and systems thinking
• E…