Pike Place Market Foundation Director of Development

Pike Place Market Foundation - Director of Development Job Opportunity

Every day at Pike Place Market, a senior shares a hot meal with friends, a child starts preschool steps from the produce stalls, a neighbour receives care at the health clinic or essentials from the food bank, and a farmer who has sold here for decades keeps the family land in production. The Pike Place Market Foundation (PPMF) helps make that possible, funding the services and providing connections that help the people who live, work, and create in the Market live fuller, more stable lives in the heart of the city.

The Foundation is at a pivotal moment. PPMF just closed its strongest year of impact to date, including significant grants to support Market farmers following the 2025 floods. As it defines its next chapter, a new Executive Director brings deep philanthropic connections and a strategic, data-driven mindset; the Board has capacity and appetite for growth; and the dedicated Development team is ready to build.

As Director of Development, you'll shape PPMF's fundraising strategy, build and lead a high-performing team, and carry your own major donor relationships, growing the sustained partnerships that keep these services strong. If you bring fundraising experience and a strategic mind, and you want your work to make a visible difference in one of Seattle's most vibrant, beloved communities, read on and apply for this role.

Location: Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA (Hybrid)

Starting Salary Range: $125,000 - $150,000

Reports to: Executive Director

Search Timeline Applications received by October 5 will be given full consideration. Interviews scheduled to begin late September.

Anticipated

Start Date:

November 2026

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

Most people who come to Pike Place Market know it for the fish, the flowers, and the view over Elliott Bay. Fewer realize that behind the market stalls is a neighbourhood — senior housing tucked above the storefronts, and a village of farmers, artists, residents, and longtime neighbours who call this place home. The Pike Place Market Foundation exists because of this community.

Since 1982, following a decades-long fight to save the Market from the wrecking ball, the Foundation has funded and operated essential services that nurture a thriving community where everyone can live their best possible life: healthcare, food access, childcare and early learning, senior services, and emergency assistance for the people who live, work, learn, and create here.

Our work is guided by a model for a healthy community, recognizing that people’s needs are connected. Food, housing, healthcare, childcare, economic stability, and social connection all shape a person’s ability to live well.

In 2025, the PPMF contributed $1.5M in financial support to our 5 Legacy Partners: the Pike Market Food Bank;
Pike Market Childcare & Preschool;
Neighbor care Health at Pike Place Market;
Pike Market Senior Center; and Providence Heritage House at the Market.

In addition to supporting our agency partners in the neighbourhood, the Pike Place Market Foundation also delivers impact through direct services at our street front community resource centre, The Market Commons. We also support the needs of our neighbours through programmes such as food access, safety net grants and grants to individuals and small businesses. We also continue to support our farmers through the Farm Fund following the 2025 floods.

The PPMF currently has a committed staff of 14 and 19 board members. We aim to raise $5.5M next year to support our mission and the community we serve.

WORKING AT PIKE PLACE MARKET FOUNDATION

It is very special to work every day to help improve the lives of the people at the centre of the market - the farmers, merchants, buskers, senior…