Director of Mission

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Webster, NY, US

Salary Range: $75,000.00 To $85,000.00 Annually

Summary:

The Director of Advancement is responsible for building and growing philanthropic support for the CDS Wolf Foundation through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospective donors. This highly relationship-focused role is accountable for developing a sustainable major-gifts pipeline, securing significant philanthropic commitments, and expanding fundraising efforts beyond event-based revenue.

Working closely with the Vice President of Advancement, CDS leadership, Foundation board members, and community stakeholders, the Director will build meaningful donor relationships, identify new funding opportunities, and advance annual fundraising priorities, long-term organizational goals, and capital campaign initiatives.

Major Gifts and Donor Development

• Identify, research, qualify, and prioritize prospective donors through prospect research, community engagement, referrals, and relationship networks.
• Develop and actively manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors with significant giving potential.
• Create and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that move prospects toward major philanthropic commitments.
• Conduct donor meetings, organizational visits, and personalized engagement activities to deepen relationships and increase support.
• Prepare proposals, presentations, and funding requests aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities.
• Build relationships with business owners, corporate leaders, and community partners to expand the Foundation's philanthropic network.
• Partner with the Vice President of Advancement, executive leadership, and board members to secure introductions, strengthen donor engagement, and pursue major gift opportunities.
• Provide ongoing stewardship to ensure meaningful donor experiences and encourage continued and increased giving.

Capital Campaign Support

• Support the Foundation's capital campaign through prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Collaborate with campaign leadership, consultants, and Foundation staff to advance campaign priorities and donor strategies.
• Track prospect activity and provide regular updates on cultivation efforts, solicitations, and anticipated commitments.

Fundraising Strategy and Collaboration

• Contribute to annual fundraising strategies, with a primary focus on major gifts, leadership giving, and individual philanthropy.
• Develop approaches that convert event participants, sponsors, and annual donors into long-term philanthropic supporters.
• Partner with program and organizational leaders to identify compelling funding opportunities and communicate organizational impact.
• Collaborate with Marketing to strengthen donor communications, storytelling, and impact reporting.
• Maintain accurate donor and prospect information using Donor Perfect and related reporting tools.
• Assist with grant opportunities and other philanthropic initiatives as assigned.

Team and Community Engagement

• Collaborate with advancement staff to coordinate donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
• Represent the Foundation at donor meetings, community activities, and organizational events.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, major gifts, business development, sales, donor relations, or another relationship-driven role involving revenue generation.
• Proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with donors, clients, business leaders, or other key stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, presentation, and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to identify opportunities, develop strategic engagement plans, and move prospects toward meaningful financial commitments.
• Ability to build trust, influence, and credibility with high-capacity donors, business leaders, and community stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills, initiative, sound judgment, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience using donor databases, CRM systems, or comparable relationship-management tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership, board members, volunteers, and colleagues across departments.
• Commitment to ethical fundraising…