Vice President of Development

Project Access is transforming lives in affordable housing communities across America. With over 120 resource centers in 17 states and a team of 145+ dedicated professionals, we connect, engage, and empower more than 27,000 children, families, and seniors each year through four key initiatives:

• Economic Stability – Building pathways to financial independence
• Education for Youth & Families – Creating opportunities for lifelong learning
• Health & Wellness – Promoting healthy, thriving communities
• Community Building – Fostering connections that strengthen neighborhoods

We're not just providing services—we're creating tangible, life-changing impact in communities nationwide. See our success stories at www.project-access.org/success-stories.

About the role

Project Access is seeking a Vice President of Development to lead the next chapter of growth for our national fundraising operation. Working in close partnership with the CEO & President, the VP of Development will be responsible for achieving ambitious strategic fund development goals as our organization continues to expand, with a $1.8M annual fundraising target spanning corporate giving, grants, individual giving, special events, and campaigns.

This is an opportunity for a self-directed, strategic thinker who thrives operating independently and can move fluidly between big-picture vision and hands-on execution. You'll act as both a doer and a thought leader, driving measurable revenue growth across a diversified funding portfolio that includes an 80% fee-for-service model through developers and 20% traditional fundraising, within a $13M operating model.

In this role, you will lead a focused turnaround and growth strategy, prioritizing:

• Improving national gift opportunities and grant success rates
• Rebuilding momentum in corporate giving
• Reengaging lapsed donors
• Growing and developing the development department
• Reestablishing and strengthening our brand

Responsibilities

Lead & Develop Our Team

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of four direct reports: the Annual Giving Manager, Director of Community Relations, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Volunteer & Community Partnerships Manager
• In your first 30 days, assess the department's strengths and needs and build a scalable revenue infrastructure
• Foster a culture of accountability, trust, and continuous improvement through regular coaching and clear goal-setting
• Model collaborative leadership by working across departments and building strong partnerships with Operations, Programs, and Finance

Drive Revenue Growth

• Own strategic oversight of all revenue streams — individual gifts, events, foundation and government grants, corporate giving, CRA partnerships, planned giving, bequests, and endowments
• Develop and execute a donor roadmap, including a 90-day revenue recovery plan and a three-year growth strategy with defined milestones
• Segment and reengage lapsed donors, and pursue larger transformational gifts
• Build a major gifts program from the ground up, targeting 15-20 new major donors annually ($5K+ capacity)
• Launch a monthly giving program and reinstate our Planned Giving Program
• Create a donor recognition society with tiered recognition and exclusive cultivation events
• Support Board Give/Get fulfillment and cultivation, lead in-kind contribution strategy, and partner with our technology team to grow PA Connect app licensing and enterprise revenue
• Ensure our CRM and donor database are set up to support our success, and oversee giving history and statistical reporting

Overhaul Grant Strategy

• Shift toward fewer, higher-probability grant applications and build a 6-month grant pipeline
• Develop compelling, funder-specific case statements around affordable housing, digital equity, and resident services
• Prioritize multi-year grant commitments to build sustainable revenue

Rebuild Corporate Giving

• Design a year-round corporate engagement strategy with tiered partnership packages
• Audit existing relationships and re-engage lapsed or reduced corporate donors
• Grow the Adopt-A-Center program and secure event sponsorships

Elevate Our Brand

• Develop and execute a national brand and marketing strategy that positions Project Access as the leader in embedded resident services within affordable housing
• Oversee marketing and communications to ensure consistent, compelling storytelling across all 17 states
• Serve as a spokesperson and advocate, raising Project Access's public profile

Steward Our Donors

• Lead a year-round stewardship program focused on relationship-building, not transactional asks
• Lead our signature annual campaigns, including Spread the Joy, and develop event committees to secure sponsorships and attendees

Engage Our Board & Volunteers

• Equip and motivate the Board to identify, cultivate, and solicit donors, driving toward 100% Board giving participation
• Oversee volunteer strategy, ensuring volunteers are effectively recruited and deployed to support fundraising goals

Provide Strategic Leadership

• Translate organizational goals into actionable fundraising plans with clear accountability metrics
• Own key performance metrics: 75%+ donor retention, 25-30% grant success rate, 85%+ corporate renewal rate, and 4:1 minimum ROI on events
• Oversee development budget lines and participate in the annual budget process
• Collaborate on annual reports and donor-facing communications that showcase our impact

Requirements

Essential Experience

• 7-10 years of progressive professional fundraising experience with demonstrated success across grants, corporate, major gifts, and events
• 5+ years managing development teams, including marketing, communications, and/or volunteer functions
• Proven track record of personally securing six-figure gifts and managing a major gifts portfolio
• Experience developing grant strategies with measurable improvement in success rates
• Success building corporate partnership programs with multi-year commitments
• Experience building or significantly growing an individual giving program
• Experience operating in a collaborative development environment and leading high-performance teams

Key Strengths & Qualities

• Exceptional communicator: You write compelling grant proposals, craft inspiring solicitation letters, and deliver presentations that move donors to action
• Strategic thinker: You analyze data, identify patterns, and turn insights into actionable fundraising strategies
• Relationship builder: You function effectively with donors, volunteers, board members, and colleagues at all levels
• Self-directed leader: You exercise initiative, work independently, and keep stakeholders informed
• Team champion: You inspire staff and Board members alike to reach new levels of performance, building high-performing teams through coaching, mentorship, and by celebrating accomplishments

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with donor databases and CRM systems
• Experience managing external contractors and vendors, including event planners and freelance professionals
• Data-driven approach to analyzing donor files and fundraising performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, or related field
• Valid Driver's License with clean driving record and current automobile insurance
• Ability to pass background check

Preferred Experience

• Working with nonprofits serving low-income populations, affordable housing, or social services
• Knowledge of planned giving programs

Pay

Annual compensation: $145,000-$155,000, plus performance bonus. Placement within the salary range is determined by a combination of factors including experience and qualifications.

Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position; Monday through Friday and may include non-traditional hours (evenings and occasional weekends).

Work location: Hybrid, based near our corporate office in Orange, CA — primarily remote, with the flexibility to come into the office as needed.

Travel: Approximately 50% nationwide travel to meet and tour donors and funders, attend and participate in speaking engagements, and visit Project Access Resource Centers.

Benefits

• Health insurance, dental insurance, long-term disability, term life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary benefits available at 100% employee cost: vision insurance, voluntary life insurance, pet insurance, and supplemental benefits
• Safe Harbor 401(k) with 4% company match
• Paid time off + 14 paid holidays