The Women's Foundation of Greater St. Louis
The Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis
Part-Time Development Director
Position Title: Development Director of The Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis (“WFSTL”)
Reports To: The Executive Committee
Employment Status: Independent Contractor
Hours: 20 hours per week
Compensation: $43.27 per hour
Position Summary. The Development Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all of WFSTL’s fundraising activities, including major gifts, annual fund campaigns, special events, grant writing, corporate sponsorships, and donor stewardship. Working closely with the Development Committee and the Board of Directors, the Development Director will develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to ensure the financial sustainability of WFSTL. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated, self-directed professional who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities.
I. Fundraising Strategy and Board Engagement. The Development Director will design and implement a comprehensive annual development plan with clear goals, timelines, and metrics for success. This includes identifying new funding opportunities, diversifying revenue streams, and setting realistic but ambitious fundraising targets. The Development Director will also support the Board of Directors in their fundraising responsibilities by preparing materials, providing coaching and training, and staffing board development committee meetings.
II. Donor Cultivation and Stewardship. The Development Director will manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects. The Development Director will also identify and cultivate relationships with local businesses and community organizations to secure sponsorships, in-kind donations, and partnership opportunities. The Development Director will develop and oversee donor recognition programs, ensure timely and meaningful acknowledgment of all gifts, and implement strategies to increase donor retention and upgrade giving levels over time.
III. Grant Writing. The Development Director will research and identify foundation and government grant opportunities aligned with WFSTL’s mission and programs. This includes preparing and submitting compelling grant proposals, maintaining a calendar of grant deadlines and reporting requirements, and ensuring compliance with all grant terms and conditions.
IV. Annual Fundraising. The Development Director will plan and execute the organization’s annual fund campaigns (such as our year end appeal, Give STL Day, Mother’s Day, and Giving Tuesday), including direct mail appeals, online giving initiatives, and peer-to-peer fundraising efforts. This role involves crafting compelling fundraising messaging, segmenting donor audiences, and leveraging multiple communication channels to maximize participation and giving.
V. Programming and Special Events. The Development Director will oversee the planning and execution of planned programming and fundraising events (including Making a Difference, our largest fundraising event), working with staff, volunteers, and event committees to ensure successful outcomes. This includes securing sponsorships, managing logistics, and evaluating event performance against established goals.
VI. Database and Records Management. The Development Director will maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in both Basecamp (for general recordkeeping) and WFSTL’s donor database, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality. This includes tracking all donor interactions, generating reports on fundraising progress, and using data to inform strategy and decision-making.
Qualifications
Required
· Minimum of three years of professional fundraising experience.
· Demonstrated success in securing major gifts, grants, and corporate sponsorships.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling cases for support.
· Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
· Highly organized with strong project management skills and attention to detail.
· Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
· Commitment to the mission and values of the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis.
· Successful candidate must reside in the St. Louis, Missouri metro area and be available for in person events and meetings.
· Ability to work with and coordinate with other WFSTL staff members for maximum synergy.
Preferred
· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
· Proficiency with donor database systems.
· Experience working with a small nonprofit organization.
· Experience with email marketing platforms and social media fundraising tools.
Working Conditions. WFSTL does not maintain a physical office, so the majority of the day-to-day of the position will be performed remotely. However, some evening and weekend work will be required for board meetings (every month, with bi-monthly meetings in person), events, programs, and donor meetings. A laptop will be provided. Local travel may be necessary for such events, donor visits, materials preparation, mailings, and community engagement. WFSTL requires bi-weekly submittal of time reports including activities completed and time spent.
How to Apply. Interested candidates should submit a resume to info@wfstl.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
