Director of Mission Advancement in Webster, New York at CDS Inc

Summary:

The Director of Advancement is responsible for building and growing philanthropic support for the CDS Wolf Foundation through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospective donors. This highly relationship-focused role is accountable for developing a sustainable major-gifts pipeline, securing significant philanthropic commitments, and expanding fundraising efforts beyond event-based revenue.

Working closely with the Vice President of Advancement, CDS leadership, Foundation board members, and community stakeholders, the Director will build meaningful donor relationships, identify new funding opportunities, and advance annual fundraising priorities, long-term organizational goals, and capital campaign initiatives.

Essential Job Duties:

Major Gifts and Donor Development

• Identify, research, qualify, and prioritize prospective donors through prospect research, community engagement, referrals, and relationship networks.
• Develop and actively manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors with significant giving potential.
• Create and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that move prospects toward major philanthropic commitments.
• Conduct donor meetings, organizational visits, and personalized engagement activities to deepen relationships and increase support.
• Prepare proposals, presentations, and funding requests aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities.
• Build relationships with business owners, corporate leaders, and community partners to expand the Foundation's philanthropic network.
• Partner with the Vice President of Advancement, executive leadership, and board members to secure introductions, strengthen donor engagement, and pursue major gift opportunities.
• Provide ongoing stewardship to ensure meaningful donor experiences and encourage continued and increased giving.

Capital Campaign Support

• Support the Foundation's capital campaign through prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Collaborate with campaign leadership, consultants, and Foundation staff to advance campaign priorities and donor strategies.
• Track prospect activity and provide regular updates on cultivation efforts, solicitations, and anticipated commitments.

Fundraising Strategy and Collaboration

• Contribute to annual fundraising strategies, with a primary focus on major gifts, leadership giving, and individual philanthropy.
• Develop approaches that convert event participants, sponsors, and annual donors into long-term philanthropic supporters.
• Partner with program and organizational leaders to identify compelling funding opportunities and communicate organizational impact.
• Collaborate with Marketing to strengthen donor communications, storytelling, and impact reporting.
• Maintain accurate donor and prospect information using DonorPerfect and related reporting tools.
• Assist with grant opportunities and other philanthropic initiatives as assigned.

Team and Community Engagement

• Collaborate with advancement staff to coordinate donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
• Represent the Foundation at donor meetings, community activities, and organizational events.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, major gifts, business development, sales, donor relations, or another relationship-driven role involving revenue generation.
• Proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with donors, clients, business leaders, or other key stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, presentation, and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to identify opportunities, develop strategic engagement plans, and move prospects toward meaningful financial commitments.
• Ability to build trust, influence, and credibility with high-capacity donors, business leaders, and community stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills, initiative, sound judgment, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience using donor databases, CRM systems, or comparable relationship-management tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership, board members, volunteers, and colleagues across departments.
• Commitment to ethical fundraising practices and the mission of CDS Life Transitions.
• Willingness to travel locally for donor meetings, events, and organizational activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience securing major gifts or other significant philanthropic commitments.
• Experience supporting capital campaigns, corporate philanthropy, or business-owner engagement.
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising strategy, donor stewardship, and prospect research.
• Experience with DonorPerfect or similar fundraising CRM platforms.

Experience working within a multi-entity nonprofit or mission-driven organization serving diverse populations

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, skills, required of personnel so classified. Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the direction of the employer.

CDS Life Transitions is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such affirms the right of every person to participate in all aspects of employment without regard to gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, citizenship, military or veteran status, gender expression and/or identity, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. CDS Life Transitions will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and feel you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the ADA, please contact us at 585-347-1616