Director of Development

Position Title: Director of Development
Reports to: COO
Pay Scale: $80,000-115,000
Direct Reports: TBD
Serves on: Executive Council (EC)
Location: California / Remote (with occasional travel to the Home Office)
FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt
Start Date: As soon as possible
Purpose
The Director of Development will play a pivotal role in advancing MAI’s mission by cultivating meaningful relationships with donors, thereby securing sustainable funding, to expanding MAI’s impact globally. This role is designed for a strategic and relational leader who is passionate about faith-driven philanthropy, thrives in building partnerships, and understands how to align fundraising with organizational vision and long-term sustainability.
We seek a candidate who is:
A mission-driven leader who embodies MAI’s values, demonstrating a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and actively participating in a Christian faith community.
A relationship-builder who can engage, inspire, and steward high-capacity donors, foundations, and churches while modeling biblical integrity and stewardship in donor engagement.
A strategic thinker who can develop and execute long-term fundraising plans while working collaboratively with leadership, the Board, and external partners.
An advocate for sustainability, ensuring that donor engagement translates into lasting financial growth for MAI’s programs.
An active participant in MAI’s faith-based culture, engaging in prayer, devotions, and organizational events.
·       Someone who understands that fundraising is a spiritual exercise—rooted in prayer, trust, relationship, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not pressure or persuasion.
·       A leader who can inspire and equip others—staff, board, volunteers—to participate in MAI’s development efforts using their unique gifts and relationships.
Key Challenges & Opportunities in This Role
Balancing Strategy & Execution – This role requires someone who can think long-term while tending to day-to-day administrative tasks, leveraging contractors and staff support effectively.
Expanding MAI’s Donor Network – The DoD will need to broaden MAI’s fundraising base, while cultivating new relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
Engaging Leadership in Fundraising – The DoD will partner with the leadership team to ensure that fundraising is a shared effort, equipping them with tools and strategies for donor engagement.
Communicating Impact Effectively – As MAI continues to grow, the DoD will help shape the way we tell our story, ensuring that donors understand the long-term impact of their support.
This role is a unique opportunity to build something lasting—a fundraising strategy that not only supports MAI’s current needs but also lays the groundwork for future growth and deeper engagement with our donor community.
Key Responsibilities
1. Fundraising Strategy & Donor Development
·      Serve as a strategic relationship builder, engaging individuals in financial partnerships that expand MAI’s donor network and facilitate new donor acquisition.
·      Develop, update, and execute a three-year strategic fundraising plan to ensure sustainable growth in major gifts and grants.
·      Cultivate and manage a portfolio of 75-100 major donors, strengthening relationships to increase engagement and long-term retention.
·      Define and track key fundraising performance metrics, analyzing donor engagement trends to refine strategies and enhance long-term giving.
2. Donor Engagement & Events
Oversee donor events to strengthen relationships and expand MAI’s network.
Explore and develop church engagement strategies to develop mission-aligned partnerships that support fundraising goals. 
3. Marketing & Communications Collaboration
Collaborate with marketing staff and contractors to support MAI’s brand strategy, ensuring donor messaging is clear, compelling, and segmented for diverse audiences.
Provide input on donor communications, impact reports, fundraising appeals, and digital outreach, helping align messaging with fundraising goals.
Work with a marketing team to ensure fundraising efforts align with MAI’s broader marketing and communications strategy.
Provide strategic input on marketing and branding as it relates to donor engagement.
4. Leadership & Team Oversight
Advise the COO and President on fundraising strategy and donor trends.
·       Participate in Executive Council discussions on fundraising and donor engagement.
Track fundraising performance and provide regular updates to leadership.
Collaborate with external consultants for grant writing, event coordination, and marketing.
Provide guidance and mentorship to development staff or volunteers as needed.
Support workflow planning and execution to ensure fundraising initiatives run smoothly.
Foster a collaborative and accountable team environment, resolving challenges as they arise.
Evaluate opportunities to expand the development team for long-term growth.
Skills & Experience
1.     10 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a proven track record in major gifts, institutional funding, and developing fundraising strategies that drive sustainable revenue growth.
2.     Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage high-capacity donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
3.     Experience working with faith-based organizations or mission-driven nonprofits, with an understanding of biblical stewardship and donor engagement.
4.     Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to articulate MAI’s mission to diverse audiences.
5.     Strategic leadership experience, with the ability to manage external contractors, oversee fundraising campaigns, and contribute to MAI’s long-term growth.
6.     Experience managing or collaborating with regional, national, or international fundraising campaigns.
7.     Strong project and team management skills, with experience in hiring, training, and supporting fundraising staff or volunteers.
8.     Experience in branding, messaging, and fundraising integration across multiple platforms, preferred.
9.     Experience in donor management software (e.g., Neon One, Salesforce, Blackbaud), preferred.
10.  Bachelor’s degree in fundraising, business administration, marketing, communications, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
Working Conditions
Office located in Salida, CA (Remote work possible within the U.S.). Regular visits to Salida may to be needed to coordinate volunteers and cultivate relationships.
Travel: 20-30%
Core Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Background checks and references are required after a conditional job offer.