Director of Dreams Horseback Enriching Lives Horses

Director of Advancement

Dreams on Horseback is the largest equine therapeutic riding center in the State of Ohio, hosting over 35,000 participant hours each year of horse-partnered learning at our premier accredited center in Blacklick, OH. Major programs include: therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities; social-emotional learning and vocational training programs for over 1,100 school children; free programs for members of the military and their family members;

and, our Minis on the Move external relations program where miniature horses travel throughout Central Ohio for therapeutic support and educational programs.

Enriching Lives with Horses

The Director of Advancement is a mission-critical leadership role responsible for all philanthropic, donor engagement and marketing/communications programs. Reporting to and working closely with the Executive Director, the Director of Advancement will be a relationship-driven fundraiser and program builder who can create strategy while also executing day to day work.

Full-time, salaried, exempt

Executive Director

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan to attract annual and major gift support, grants, corporate giving and sponsorship, and other philanthropic support
• Responsible for major gift solicitations, solo or in partnership with the Executive Director and/or Board members
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors in the planning and execution of capital campaigns and other special fundraising initiatives
• Lead and design donor cultivation, stewardship, donor retention strategies and prospect research
• Manage and implement all internal and external communications including but not limited to: social media and website content creation; crafting of compelling donor communications; writing and designing newsletters, promotional materials, brochures; and, media relations
• Develop and manage the Advancement budget, grow and manage the Advancement team, and monitor/analyze fundraising performance and data
• Advise Executive Director as a senior leadership team member and attend all leadership team, Admin and Board meetings
• Represent Dreams on Horseback professionally in community events and partnership meetings

• Minimum of 5 years of proven fundraising experience across all areas of development
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Demonstrated success running annual and major gift campaigns, and success from multiple donor channels and methodologies such as personal solicitations, direct mail, grants, events or Galas, planned giving
• Successful project leader with an entrepreneurial mindset
• Skilled in establishing, cultivating and expanding relationships with colleagues, peers and members of the greater community
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills; thrives in detail-oriented, fast-paced environments
• Technologically fluent, especially with Google Suite and cloud-based scheduling and a fundraising CRM
• Excellent writer, skilled in creating written and oral communications
• Outgoing, strong interpersonal and communication skills; personable, approachable, empathetic, and collaborative
• A deep belief in and commitment to the mission of Dreams on Horseback.

The Director of Advancement supervises the Finance & Grants Manager and the part-time Special Events Coordinator who plans and oversees the Gala. There is also an organizational data entry/admin support position of 24 hours per week for data entry needs.

75,000 to 85,000

• Flexible work schedule/hours and environment, including the opportunity to work from home periodically
• Three weeks paid vacation

9/28/26