Fund Development Director

About the role

The Fund Development Director provides strategic leadership for all fund development efforts at Girl Scouts Heart of Central California (GSHCC). This position is responsible for grants management, annual giving, major gifts, donor stewardship, planned giving, and corporate and foundation relations. Working closely with the council’s Executive Team, the Director develops and implements strategies to strengthen donor engagement, expand philanthropic support, and achieve the council's fundraising goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy to achieve annual revenue goals and advance the council’s mission.
• Drive individual, corporate, and foundation initiatives to grow philanthropic support and donor engagement.
• Lead cross-functional strategy, segmentation, planning, and execution of annual fund appeals in partnership with the marketing department and key stakeholders to achieve fundraising goals.
• Partner with the Executive Team to advance strategic fundraising priorities and cultivate high-impact philanthropic opportunities.
• Oversee all aspects of grant development and management, including research, proposal development, submission, compliance, reporting, and coordination with staff to ensure successful implementation and fulfillment of funding requirements.
• Cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships with donors, community partners, and key stakeholders to expand the council’s philanthropic network.
• Ensure excellence in donor stewardship, grant compliance, and data management to support sustainable fundraising growth.
• Develop and implement a major gifts strategy, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and active portfolio management to deepen donor engagement and increase philanthropic investment.
• Develop and promote planned giving opportunities to build long-term philanthropic support and strengthen the council's future sustainability.
• Develop annual fund development goals, budgets, and work plans; utilize donor database systems and fundraising analytics to monitor performance, identify giving trends, evaluate progress, and inform fundraising strategies.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward corporate and community partners to secure sponsorships, volunteer engagement, and in-kind support aligned with council priorities.
• Partner with the Executive Team and Board of Directors to strengthen board engagement in fundraising, donor cultivation, and ambassador activities.
• Supervise, coach, and support the Fund Development Associate, ensuring effective execution of development operations, donor stewardship activities, database management, and fundraising initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Arts in a relevant field.
• Five plus years’ experience working in a fund development department.
• Proven fundraising experience.
• Prior Donor Perfect or other donor database maintenance experience.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite (SharePoint, Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to practice confidentiality and adhere to the Donor Code of Ethics.
• Demonstrate a commitment to recognize and respect the many forms of diversity.
• Demonstrate a willingness to embrace the Girl Scouts mission, goals, values, and council-driven programs.
• Have a reliable form of transportation, CA driver’s license, a clean driving record, proof of insurance, and be willing to drive as needed throughout the 18-county region.
• Availability to work council events.

Schedule

Ability to work 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A willingness to work occasional nights and weekends as required.

About the organization

Girl Scouts Heart of Central California (GSHCC) is a girl-centric and performance-driven community. At GSHCC, our mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Across 18 counties, we offer an array of programming and perspectives with the goal of ensuring all girls, volunteers, and staff have a safe space, where they can learn and grow and be their authentic selves.

Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try:
To serve God* and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
*Members may substitute for the word God in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.

Girl Scout Law

Girl Scouts of all ages recite—and live by—the ideals listed in the Girl Scout Promise and Law. They remind us to do our best in being kind to others, respecting ourselves, making the world a better place, and so much more.

As a member of GSHCC staff, I will do my best to be:
honest and fair
friendly and helpful
considerate and caring
courageous and strong
responsible for what I say and do
respect myself and others
respect authority
use resources wisely
and make the world a better place and be a sister to every Girl Scout