VP of Development

Project Access is transforming lives in affordable housing communities across America. With over 100 Resource Centers in 16 states and a team of 145+ dedicated professionals, we connect, engage, and empower more than 27,000 children, families, and seniors each year through four key initiatives:

Economic Stability – Building pathways to financial independence Education for Youth & Families – Creating opportunities for lifelong learning Health & Wellness – Promoting healthy, thriving communities Community Building – Fostering connections that strengthen neighborhoods

We're not just providing services - we're creating tangible, life-changing impact in communities nationwide. See our success stories ject-access.org/success-stories.

This is a pivotal leadership role for a visionary fundraiser ready to drive transformational growth. As Vice President of Development, you'll partner directly with our CEO & President to achieve strategic fund development goals during an exciting period of organizational expansion.

We're looking for a self-directed, strategic thinker who thrives on turning challenges into opportunities. You'll lead the turnaround and growth of our fundraising operations with an immediate focus on:

• Improving grant success rates through strategic, targeted approaches
• Rebuilding corporate giving momentum with year-round engagement
• Developing an untapped individual and major gifts program from the ground up

Drive $1.9M annually across diversified revenue streams including corporate giving, grants, individual giving, special events, and campaigns.

You’ll mentor and develop four talented direct reports (Annual Giving Manager, Volunteer Services Manager, Director of Community Relations, and Director of Marketing and Communications). We believe in building people up so they shine—and we need a leader who shares that philosophy.

• Design and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies that identify prospects, donors, businesses, and community partners
• Own key metrics: 75%+ donor retention, 25-30% grant success rate, 85%+ corporate partnership renewals, and 4:1 minimum event ROI
• Transform our grants approach from high-volume to high-probability, building sustainable multi-year commitments
• Create a major gifts program from inception, building a pipeline of $5K+ donors and targeting 15-20 new major donors annually
• Develop tiered corporate partnership packages with tangible benefits and year-round engagement strategies

You’ll be the face of Project Access to donors, funders, and community partners. You’ll personally meet with top supporters, lead compelling presentations, and create a stewardship program focused on relationship-building, not just transactions.

At Project Access, leadership means embodying respect, empowerment, integrity, teamwork, and innovation in everything you do. We want someone who leads with courage, builds trust through accountability, and creates an environment where people feel safe to ask questions and take risks.

• Complete a comprehensive donor audit and segmentation analysis
• Launch a corporate re-engagement campaign for lapsed donors
• Develop a refreshed case for support addressing key feedback patterns
• Meet personally with our top 30 donors to build relationships
• Present a 12-month fundraising plan with specific targets by revenue source
• Conduct one‑on‑one meetings with each team member to assess strengths and development needs

• 7-10 years of progressive professional fundraising experience with demonstrated success across grants, corporate, major gifts, and events
• 5+ years managing development teams, including marketing, communications, and/or volunteer functions
• Proven track record of personally securing six‑figure gifts and managing a major gifts portfolio
• Experience developing grant strategies with measurable improvement in success rates
• Success building corporate partnership programs with multi‑year commitments
• Experience building or significantly growing an individual giving program