Director of Development and Donor Relations

at Breakthrough Episcopal Social Services in Wichita, Kansas, United States

Job Description

ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION

The mission of Breakthrough | Episcopal Social Services is to create an inclusive and supportive community where individuals impacted by poverty or mental illness can discover opportunities, foster resilience, and improve their quality of life. We envision a world where every person can enhance their well-being and achieve their full potential through supportive social practice and holistic services.

SCOPE OF POSITION

The Director of Development and Donor Relations serves as Breakthrough's lead fundraising professional and is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive philanthropy strategy that supports the organization's long-term mission and sustainability.

Working closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and community partners, this position will cultivate meaningful relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, faith communities, civic organizations, and public partners while leading grant development, donor stewardship, fundraising campaigns, and strategic communications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Philanthropy & Fundraising
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive annual philanthropy strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Diversify organizational revenue through major gifts, annual giving, grants, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, planned giving, faith-based partnerships, fundraising events, and community initiatives.
  • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospective supporters.
  • Build long-term relationships with foundations, corporations, churches, civic organizations, and community leaders.
  • Develop personalized cultivation and stewardship plans for key donors.
  • Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to strengthen philanthropic engagement and fundraising leadership.
  • Lead annual giving, recurring giving, year-end campaigns, and donor appreciation efforts.
    
    
• Strategic Partnerships
  • Develop partnerships that expand Breakthrough's mission and community impact.
  • Build collaborative relationships with businesses, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, faith communities, and local governments.
  • Identify opportunities for sponsorships, workplace giving, volunteer engagement, and community investment.
  • Represent Breakthrough throughout the community to increase visibility and philanthropic support.
    
    
• Community & Storytelling
  • Develop a communications strategy that inspires philanthropy and increases community awareness.
  • Partner with Breakthrough's marketing agency to create compelling donor communications, newsletters, videos, social media campaigns, website content, annual reports, and impact stories.
  • Ensure consistent organizational messaging across all communication channels.
  • Identify and share client success stories that demonstrate the impact of Breakthrough's mission while protecting confidentiality and dignity.
    
    
• Development Operations
  • Maintain accurate donor records within Bloomerang.
  • Monitor fundraising performance, donor retention, campaign effectiveness, and key performance indicators.
  • Prepare reports and dashboards for leadership and the Board of Directors.
  • Ensure timely donor acknowledgments, stewardship activities, and gift processing.
  • Utilize AI and emerging technologies to improve fundraising, donor engagement, grant development, and organizational efficiency.

Physical Context and Work Environment: The context and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Physical Abilities: The employee must possess the physical abilities represented in the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities section above to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. This includes the ability to travel frequently within the community to meet and provide services in various settings. The role may involve walking, driving, and occasionally lifting or carrying materials. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
  
  
• Work Environment: Most administrative tasks are performed in a well-lit, environmentally controlled indoor setting with a moderate noise level. Job functions may include a combination of office and community-based work environments. The employee must be adaptable to varying environments, which may include unpredictable settings and weather conditions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
  
  
• Travel Requirements: Regular travel within the community is required to provide services and coordination with community partners. Additionally, periodic travel for training events or professional development may be necessary. The employee must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to fulfill these travel requirements effectively.

Work Location: In person