Director of Fund Development

When you join Independence First you will be part of a collaborative and passionate team. You will also enjoy lucrative benefits! Independence First was selected as one of Milwaukee Business Journal's Best Places to Work in 2022 - 2025

Independence First is looking for awesome people to join our management team!

You are just the person to join our growing team if you are...

• Looking for an Excellent Benefits Package
• Passionate About Helping Others

• 18 vacation days, 12 sick days, and an additional 12 paid holidays a year
• Employer paid Dental, Life Insurance (twice annual salary), AD&D, Short and Long Term Disability
• Health Insurance Benefits (partially employer paid, depending on coverage)
• Free Dental Insurance
• Low-cost Vision Insurance
• Employer-matched 403(b) Retirement Account
• Fitness Center On-site
• Annual Flu Shot
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

Position:
Director of Fund Development

Reports to: CEO

Position Summary: The Director of Fund Development provides executive leadership for all private fundraising efforts at Independence First and is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and expanding the organization’s donor base through a relationship-driven, results-oriented approach. The position leads and personally engages in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors, major gift prospects, and community partners, while serving as a visible and trusted ambassador for Independence First in the community.

This role strengthens the organization’s public presence and advances its mission by building and sustaining authentic relationships with donors, partners, and key community stakeholders. The Director works closely with the President/CEO to advance fundraising strategy and donor engagement, aligned with the agency’s strategic plan. The Director of Fund Development holds primary accountability for achieving revenue goals established in the strategic plan and leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Agency’s Fund Development Plan.

This position collaborates closely with leadership, internal and external stakeholders to ensure fundraising initiatives are aligned with organizational priorities and brand strategy. This position is responsible for supervising the Grants Administrator and the Marketing and Communications Manager, ensuring integrated fundraising, grant, and communications strategies that support sustainable growth and long-term financial stability, and serves as part of the leadership team.

Position Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional evenings and weekends required. Work is performed in the office, remotely, and regularly in the community. A minimum of 40 hours per week is required to fulfill job responsibilities.

• Direct and coordinate all fundraising programs, including annual giving, major gifts, special gifts, planned giving, memorial and tribute gifts, and foundation and corporate contributions.
• Develop and implement fundraising campaigns, planned giving initiatives, charitable trusts, endowments, and special development projects.
• Lead the planning, promotion, and execution of fundraising events and appeals, ensuring strong donor engagement and measurable results.
• Utilize the donor management database to plan, implement, track, and evaluate fundraising strategies; analyze donor trends and prepare regular performance and revenue reports for leadership.
• Establish, monitor, and exceed annual fundraising targets and strategic plan development goals; responsible for tracking progress, measuring outcomes, and ensuring alignment with agency-wide strategic objectives.
• Develop, staff, and support fund development committees and donor engagement efforts as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the agency’s grant writer to research funding opportunities and support proposal development, reporting, and special projects as needed.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and complete documentation of all fundraising activities and donor records.
• Stay current on trends in philanthropy, donor engagement, and nonprofit fundraising to strengthen community…