Fund Development Manager

About The Islamic Association Of Raleigh (IAR)

The Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR) is an Islamic center serving as a mosque, school, and a gathering place for the Muslim community in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. The IAR is the largest mosque in the Carolinas and among the oldest in the area, hosting over three thousand congregants every Friday.

Overall Objectives

The Fund Development Manager is responsible for developing the IAR’s fundraising campaigns, communicating with current and prospective donors, and building a stronger fundraising team for our organization. This position involves managing individual and corporate gifts as well as planned and annual giving campaigns. The Fundraising Manager will focus on increasing and streamlining fundraising efforts, including but not limited to building donor contacts, improving current fundraising initiatives, and meeting or exceeding the IAR Strategic Plan financial initiatives.

Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Generation

• Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive annual Fund Development plan to achieve specific revenue goals for general operations, special projects, and long-term endowments.
• Establish a fundraising team consisting of ambassadors and skilled individuals to support fundraising planning and execution.
• Oversee and manage all annual fundraising campaigns (Ramadan, Zakat, Sadaqah, year-end appeals), optimizing appeals for maximum donor participation and revenue.
• Oversee grant acquisition and reporting.
• Encourage new Endowment contributions.
• Manage the Fund Development department budget, track all fundraising income and expenses, and provide regular, data-driven reports to the CEO and Finance Committee.

Donor Cultivation & Major Gifts

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, and personally solicit a portfolio of mid-level and prospective major donors.
• Design and oversee a high-touch stewardship program to ensure long-term donor retention and upgrade. Maintain ongoing relationships with major private and corporate donors.
• Maintain the integrity of donor CRM systems (DonorPerfect, Givecloud), ensuring accurate reporting, segmentation, and use for targeted communications. Oversee data entry and gift processing.

Communications & Community Engagement

• Coordinate donor communications (recurring donations, follow-ups after pledges, and donor updates).
• Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy to elevate IAR’s mission, impact, and visibility across all channels (digital, print, media).
• Oversee the creation and distribution of high-quality fundraising collateral, impact reports, e-newsletters, and social media content.
• Lead the planning and execution of all major fundraising and cultivation events, including dinners, open houses, and donor appreciation gatherings.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in non-profit fundraising, Fund Development, or external relations. Experience in a faith-based organization is a significant plus.
• Demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding annual fundraising goals across multiple channels (appeals, events, grants, major gifts).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and demonstrated experience managing and leveraging a Donor CRM database (e.g., GiveCloud or comparable system).
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and articulate the organization’s mission to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to transition from strategic planning to tactical execution.

Desired Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A deep commitment to the mission and values of IAR and a strong understanding of the Muslim community and Islamic principles related to charity (Zakat, Sadaqah).
• Experience managing staff, volunteers, or vendors.