Development Director

Job Description:\n\nAbout the Organization Homesteads for Hope is a growing nonprofit community farm located on 55 acres along the Erie Canal in Rochester, New York. Our mission is to inspire individuals with disabilities and their families to grow their unique abilities, purpose, and sense of belonging through meaningful experiences in nature's classroom. With an annual operating budget of approximately $1.3 million, Homesteads for Hope provides inclusive educational, vocational, recreational, and community engagement opportunities while continuing to expand our programs, partnerships, and impact throughout the Greater Rochester region. Position Summary Homesteads for Hope is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven Development Director to lead fundraising initiatives, cultivate community partnerships, and strengthen the organization's long-term financial sustainability. This position combines strategic fundraising leadership with hands-on donor engagement, community networking, and event management. The Development Director will oversee the organization's annual fundraising gala, coordinate smaller donor cultivation and stewardship events throughout the year, develop corporate sponsorship relationships, and manage a portfolio of individual donors. Working closely with the CEO, Operations Director, Grant Writer, and other department leaders, the Development Director will identify organizational funding needs, develop strategies to secure financial support, and build lasting relationships with individuals, businesses, foundations, and community partners. The ideal candidate is both a natural relationship builder and an exceptional organizersomeone who enjoys connecting with people, creating memorable experiences, developing creative fundraising opportunities, and managing the details necessary to turn ideas into successful outcomes. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Fundraising Strategy and Financial Sustainability Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive annual fundraising plan that supports organizational operating expenses, program needs, and long-term financial sustainability. Lead fundraising efforts across individual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, annual appeals, recurring giving, and special events. Work collaboratively with the CEO and Operations Director to establish annual fundraising goals, develop revenue projections, and monitor progress toward financial targets. Partner with department leaders to assess programmatic and operational funding needs, identify potential funding sources, and develop strategies to support existing programs and future growth. Identify opportunities to diversify revenue streams and reduce reliance on individual funding sources. Support the development of organizational budgets, fundraising projections, and long-term financial plans. Evaluate fundraising performance and adjust strategies based on results, organizational priorities, and emerging opportunities. Donor Cultivation and Stewardship Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, primarily those contributing or capable of contributing gifts under $25,000 annually. Build meaningful relationships with existing supporters through personal outreach, meetings, farm visits, and ongoing communication. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new donors, with an emphasis on increasing donor retention, recurring giving, and annual contributions. Develop individualized engagement and stewardship strategies that connect donors with the impact of their support. Collaborate with the CEO on major donor cultivation, significant funding opportunities, and organization-wide fundraising campaigns. Oversee donor acknowledgment, recognition, and stewardship processes to ensure timely, thoughtful, and consistent communication. Maintain accurate donor records and fundraising activity in the organization's donor management system. Corporate Sponsorships and Community Partnerships Develop and manage relationships with businesses, corporations, community organizations, and other strategic partners. Identify and cultivate new corporate sponsorship opportunities that support annual programs, events, and organizational initiatives. Develop sponsorship proposals, secure commitments, and ensure fulfillment of sponsorship benefits and recognition. Represent Homesteads for Hope at community events, networking opportunities, business gatherings, and professional organizations. Build relationships with community leaders and organizations to expand awareness, strengthen partnerships, and create new opportunities for collaboration. Work across departments to identify opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships, including program support, volunteer engagement, in-kind contributions, and financial sponsorships. Serve as a visible and enthusiastic ambassador for Homesteads for Hope throughout the Greater Rochester community. Fundraising Events and Donor Engagement Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of Homesteads for Hope's annual fundraising gala, including event concept development, budgeting, sponsorship solicitation, vendor management, auction coordination, guest experience, and event-day operations. Manage all aspects of the gala planning process, including establishing fundraising goals, developing timelines, coordinating logistics, and overseeing staff, volunteers, committees, and external vendors. Develop and execute smaller donor cultivation and stewardship events throughout the year, including donor appreciation gatherings, private farm experiences, community networking opportunities, and special receptions. Create engaging, mission-centered event experiences that strengthen relationships, inspire philanthropy, and connect guests with the impact of Homesteads for Hope. Develop strategies to maximize event revenue through sponsorships, ticket sales, auctions, individual giving, and other fundraising opportunities. Build and maintain relationships with event sponsors, vendors, donors, and community partners to encourage ongoing engagement and support. Oversee event communications, invitations, registration, guest lists, and donor follow-up in collaboration with the Marketing Coordinator and other staff. Recruit, coordinate, and provide direction to event committees, staff, and volunteers, delegating responsibilities while maintaining accountability for successful execution. Evaluate event performance, including net revenue, donor acquisition, donor retention, sponsorship fulfillment, and opportunities for improvement. Identify and develop new cultivation and fundraising event opportunities that support organizational goals without creating unnecessary demands on staff or resources. Grant Development and Institutional Giving Lead the organization's grant development strategy to secure foundation, corporate, and government funding aligned with organizational priorities. Directly supervise the Grant Writer, establishing priorities, managing deadlines, reviewing proposals, and ensuring accountability for grant submissions and reporting. Collaborate with department leaders to identify funding needs, develop program budgets, and establish measurable outcomes. Cultivate and maintain relationships with foundation representatives, institutional funders, and grantmaking organizations. Oversee the grant calendar, funding pipeline, reporting requirements, and stewardship of institutional funders. Review grant proposals and reports for accuracy, quality, and alignment with organizational priorities. Work with the CEO and Operations Director to identify funding opportunities that support long-term financial sustainability. Department Leadership and Management Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and performance management for the Grant Writer and any additional assigned development staff. Establish clear departmental goals, individual work plans, timelines, and performance expectations. Coordinate fundraising activities across individual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, and special events. Maintain accountability for fundraising results while delegating appropriate administrative, research, and proposal-writing responsibilities. Foster collaboration between Development, Programs, Farm Operations, Marketing, and organizational leadership. Prepare regular fundraising reports, revenue projections, and progress updates for the CEO, Operations Director, and Board of Directors. OTHER DUTIES · Other duties and responsibilities as assigned and/or required. SUPERVISORY DUTIES · Supervisory oversight of the Development Department within the organization. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCEBachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience required. Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, donor relations, or related relationship-based work required. Demonstrated success cultivating donors, securing financial contributions, and building relationships with community or corporate partners. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of donors, business leaders, community members, and stakeholders. Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies, managing revenue goals, and evaluating results. Excellent written communication skills, including experience preparing donor appeals, sponsorship proposals, grant materials, or other fundraising communications. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail. Experience working with donor databases, CRM systems, and standard office technology. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively across departments. Strong event management skills, including budget development, vendor coordination, event timelines, logistics, and on-site execution. Experience working within a nonprofit, educational, agricultural, farm-based, hospitality, retail, or other mission-driven organization is strongly preferred.Experience supervising staff, contractors, or volunteers preferred. Experience with corporate sponsorship development and fundraising event management preferred. Experience with grant development, foundation relations, and institutional giving preferred. Familiarity with nonprofit budgeting, fundraising forecasting, and financial reporting preferred. Established professional relationships within the Greater Rochester business, nonprofit, or philanthropic community preferred. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIESStrategic thinker with the ability to plan, execute, and evaluate comprehensive fundraising and marketing strategies. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of donors, business leaders, community members, and stakeholders. Self-motivated and proactive, with a commitment to advancing the mission of Homesteads for Hope. Ability to establish clear expectations, monitor performance, hold staff accountable fairly and consistently, and recognize employee success. PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.This is a highly active leadership position requiring frequent movement throughout Homesteads for Hope's 55-acre campus, including offices, classrooms, barns, greenhouses, retail spaces, event venues, gardens, parking areas, and outdoor program locations.Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing stairs, and occasional kneeling or crouching are required.Must be able to occasionally lift and move supplies, equipment, furniture, or materials weighing up to 50 pounds.Regular use of computers, telephones, mobile devices, and other office equipment is required.Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments and may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, temperature changes, dust, noise, and uneven terrain.The position requires the flexibility to work occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events to support organizational operations, Farm Markets, volunteer projects, community programs, fundraising events, and campus activities.Reliable transportation is required for occasional local travel related to organizational business. HOW TO APPLY Interested candidates should submit a resume and a brief cover letter explaining their interest and qualifications to Kala Saenz, Executive Assistant: . Candidates are encouraged to discuss any specific accommodation needs during the application or interview process. Equal Opportunity Statement Homesteads for Hope is an equal-opportunity employer dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees.