Nonprofit Development Director Job Descriptions

The demand for nonprofit professionals will continue to increase at a rate of 17 percent through 2020, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonprofit organizations provide charitable or philanthropic services with income from donations solicited by a development team often led by a director of development. At the time of publication, the median annual salary range for a development director was between $70,000 and $100,000. 

Development Strategy

A nonprofit development director's primary responsibility is to raise money for a not-for-profit organization. He creates and implements a development plan that details how the organization solicits donors and identifies funding sources such as grants, in-kind donations, charitable events and marketing opportunities. The development director shares his development plans with senior leadership and the board of directors. As the governing body for such an organization, the board of directors provides oversight and leadership. The development director also spends time personally soliciting donors. As such, strong relationship building and solicitation skills are important. 

Budget Preparation

These development professionals also prepare annual budgets for their organizations. The budget details the cash required to fund programs. A successful budget should be realistic, consistent and measurable. The director provides detailed information about how much money must be raised to meet budget criteria. The budget must be approved by the board of directors before it is implemented. 

Public Relations

Candidates should expect to create marketing materials, and social media and advertising campaigns as part of a public relations strategy. The nonprofit development director is also responsible for branding. This concept, critical to successful fundraising endeavors, should focus on a strategy that expands the target audience through community relations, speaking engagements, newsletters and charitable events. 

Qualifications

Well-qualified candidates should possess a bachelor's degree in business, marketing or nonprofit leadership with fundraising experience. Other experience includes, but is not limited to, public relations, prospecting, business development and negotiation. Persuasive writing, strong verbal communication and the ability to interact at the executive level are other key qualifications. 

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
• Nonprofit Quarterly: What Should Your Development Plan Include?
• The Philanthropy Journal: Adopting National Branding
• Clifton Gunderson, LLP: Best Practics for Nonprofit Budgeting.
• Nonprofit PR: The Importance of Nonprofit Branding
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections

About the Author

Tami Glasco is a business instructor at Virginia College in Florence, S.C. She has also served as a senior manager at a major employment website and the director of development/marketing for a local nonprofit organization. Glasco holds an M.B.A. in e-commerce, as well as a B.S. in marketing.