Development Director

Development Director

Position Overview

Avenues Counseling Center is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Development Director to lead our fundraising and sustainability efforts. As our inaugural Development Director, you will serve as both the goal-setter and lead implementer – acting as the architect and the engine of our growth. This position is responsible for donor engagement, stewardship, and retention, while expanding our base of philanthropic support through individual giving, events, and campaigns.

We need a trailblazer dedicated to mental health equity who can balance high-level strategic thinking with the day-to-day grit of execution, a gifted communicator who can turn clinical impact into compelling donor narratives, and build lasting partnerships across the St. Louis community.

As we expand our reach in St. Louis County and City, this role will be responsible for diversifying our $2M+ budget through major gifts, strategic grant management, and community partnerships. While this position does not include grant writing, you will lead the management and reporting of our grant portfolio, ensuring our funders see the full impact of their investment. You will tell the story of our mission, providing accessible, culturally competent mental health care, to the donors and foundations that make our work possible.

Donor Relations & Stewardship

• Build and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective donors.
• Develop and implement stewardship strategies to ensure donors feel valued and informed about the impact of their giving.
• Coordinate donor communications, including acknowledgment letters, impact reports, and personalized updates.
• Plan and execute donor appreciation events and recognition activities.

Fundraising & Development

• Collaborate with leadership to design and execute annual fundraising plans and campaigns.
• Oversee and interact with donor database (CRM), ensuring accurate record-keeping, segmentation, and reporting.
• Track progress toward fundraising goals and provide regular reports to leadership and the board.
• Support the cultivation of major donors and prospects through research, proposals, and meeting preparation.
• Serve as the strategic liaison between the grant writer and the clinical team to ensure accurate data and compelling impact stories fuel all proposals and reports.
• Ensure compliance with all grantor requirements in collaboration with the Executive Director and Clinical Director.
• Empower and support the Board of Directors in their fundraising efforts, providing them with the tools, training, and messaging needed to act as effective ambassadors for Avenues.

Communications & Events

• Design and execute a donor communication strategy in partnership with the Executive Director, including the production of newsletters, annual reports, and multi-channel impact stories.
• Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of fundraising events and seasonal campaigns – from initial conceptualization and goal-setting to logistics, execution, and post-event analysis.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, nonprofit management, fundraising, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit development.
• Experience managing donor databases and creating reports. Strong relationship-building and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Demonstrated success in leading fundraising efforts. Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Passion for the mission of Avenues Counseling and a commitment to advancing equity and community impact.

• Master’s degree and/or CFRE
• Familiarity with major gifts, planned giving, or capital campaign strategies.
• Event planning and project management experience.

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401K with employer match
• 3 weeks PTO
• 11 paid holidays plus the workdays between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
• Unlimited Sick Time

Reports to:

Executive Director

Location:

Hybrid

Hours:

Flexible hours with occasional evening and weekend events

Send Cover Letter and Resume to: Lianne Johnson, LPC, NCC, Executive Director, email: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).