Development Director

Job Description

Development Director for The Kolbe Mission Addiction Recovery Home

Organization Overview
The Kolbe Mission is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a home and community to men who commit to choose freedom over addiction. Rooted in Catholic spirituality, our mission is to strengthen individuals' mind, body, and soul through prayer, works, and fellowship.

Position: Development Director
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Remote, candidate must reside in or near Phoenix, Arizona
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000, based on experience
Benefits: Health insurance, paid time off, professional development opportunities

Position Summary
The Development Director will design and lead the fundraising strategy that fuels the Kolbe Mission. You will cultivate donors, steward gifts, secure grants, oversee campaigns, and drive community engagement to ensure long-term sustainability. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, skilled communicator, and passionate advocate for addiction recovery rooted in Catholic spirituality. As the first full-time hire beyond the founders, you will play a pivotal role in building the foundation and future of the mission.

Who We Are
The Kolbe Mission grew out of decades of Catholic ministry to men battling addiction, with prayer and encouragement from local Church leaders since 2018.We are a lean but committed team of volunteers and leaders, united by our conviction that healing and freedom are possible through Christ. We are currently preparing to launch Phase I of our vision: raising $700,000 over the next 1-2 years to secure our first recovery home in the Diocese of Phoenix. This home will serve six men, providing a stable environment of recovery, prayer, and fraternity. This milestone is just the beginning. Future phases will expand capacity to serve more men, add additional homes, and eventually establish a women's home and endowment.

Who You Are
You are someone who thrives in a pioneering environment where answers are not always clear and processes are still being built. You bring both creativity and order, knowing how to build structure while remaining flexible in the unknown.
As a people-oriented leader with strong organizational skills, you're able to identify and prioritize the fundraising initiatives that generate the greatest impact. You understand the fundraising cycle and are eager to experiment with new approaches to discover what works best.
Most importantly, you are self-motivated and proactive. You don't wait to be told what to do-you see what needs to be done and move it forward. In this role, your ability to take initiative, manage competing priorities, and cultivate authentic relationships will be essential to advancing the mission. You are deeply aligned with the mission of Catholic spirituality and recovery, and you bring that passion into every aspect of your work.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Donor Relations
• Develop and execute a fundraising calendar and comprehensive fundraising plan, including individual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorships, and planned giving programs.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with donors, foundations, and corporate partners to secure financial support.
• Manage donor databases (Is there currently a database? If not, you may want to include "Create and manage a donor database), ensuring accurate tracking of contributions and timely acknowledgment of gifts.
• Create compelling donor communications, including appeals, newsletters, and impact reports.

Stewardship
• Develop and implement a comprehensive stewardship plan to ensure donors feel valued, informed, and connected to the mission.
• Create systems for timely acknowledgment, personalized thank-you communications, and regular impact updates.
• Organize opportunities for donor recognition, such as appreciation events, behind-the-scenes tours, or testimonial sharing from men in recovery.
• Partner with staff and board to ensure consistent and mission-aligned donor touchpoints.
• Track stewardship outcomes to strengthen donor retention and inspire increased giving over time.

Grant Writing and Management
• Research, write, and submit grant proposals to foundations, government agencies, and other funding sources.
• Monitor grant compliance, submit reports, and maintain relationships with grantors to ensure continued funding.

Community Engagement and Outreach
• Represent the organization at community events, conferences, and networking opportunities to raise awareness and build partnerships.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage volunteers, community groups, and local businesses in supporting the organization's mission.

Strategic Planning and Leadership
• Work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to align fundraising goals with organizational priorities.
• Provide regular reports on fundraising progress and financial projections to leadership and the board.

Event Planning
• Plan and execute fundraising events, such as donor gatherings, galas, charity runs, or community open houses, to engage supporters and raise funds.
• Coordinate logistics, secure sponsorships, and ensure events align with the organization's mission and brand.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field (Master's degree preferred). CFRE credential preferred. Extensive relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, or a related role, with a proven track record of securing major gifts and grants.
• Strong understanding of addiction recovery, mental health, or related social services (preferred).
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience crafting compelling proposals and presentations.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including donors, community leaders, and staff.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Passion for the mission of supporting individuals in addiction recovery.

Work Environment
• This position requires occasional evening and weekend work for events and donor meetings.
• This is a remote role, but the candidate must reside in or near Phoenix, AZ for donor meetings and local outreach.
• Local travel for community outreach and donor cultivation is required; occasional regional travel may be necessary.

Application Process
To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to kevin@kolbemission.com. In your cover letter, describe your passion for supporting addiction recovery based on Catholic spirituality, and your experience in fundraising. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
The Kolbe Mission is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those with lived experience in recovery.

About the Employer

Our mission is to establish a Catholic Addiction Recovery Home in the Diocese of Phoenix. Catholic spirituality offers a unique and powerful path to healing from addictions. Kolbe Mission community members will strengthen the mind, body and soul through prayer, works, and fellowship, and be supported by 12-step and trauma informed counseling.