Director of Development

Job Description

Director of Development

Position At a Glance:

Title: Director of Development
Organization: Saint Michael Family Protection Institute (SMFPI), Fiscal Sponsor in support of Restore Health & Wellness
Location: Rochester, NY (on-site, with regular local travel to meet donors)
Status: Full-time, exempt
Reports to: Executive Director
Start date: As soon as possible

About Us:

Saint Michael Family Protection Institute is a Catholic nonprofit in Rochester whose mission is to cultivate hope and wholeness for all through ethical medical care, counseling, education, research, and referrals in a supportive community. We promote human flourishing and healing according to Catholic principles. Our work includes support and healing ministries, the Bakhita Fund for survivors of trafficking and abuse, financial assistance for patients and providers, and our anchor initiative, Restore Health & Wellness.

Restore Health & Wellness is a life-affirming medical practice serving women, men, and children in the Rochester region. Rooted in faith and relational care, Restore provides compassionate medical support, education, and accompaniment in full accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Learn more at smfpi.org and restorehealthroc.org.

Position summary:

The Director of Development builds and leads the fundraising program that sustains Restore Health & Wellness and the wider work of SMFPI. Our dedicated development leader, will help design the fundraising plan, build the systems, and personally cultivate the donors, foundations, and partners who make life-affirming Catholic healthcare possible in Rochester, NY.

We are looking for a Director who sees development as ministry. The right candidate understands giving through the lens of the Theology of Gift - inviting benefactors to participate in the mission as an act of faith and generosity, not simply closing transactions - and pairs that conviction with proven, professional fundraising practice.

Key responsibilities:

Strategy and planning:

• Develop and execute an annual and multi-year development plan with the Executive Director, CFO, and Board, with clear revenue goals across individual, major, planned, foundation, and corporate giving.
• Build the contributed-revenue and development-expense budgets with the CFO, and report progress to the Board quarterly.
• Establish gift acceptance, acknowledgment, and donor-privacy policies consistent with Catholic teaching and nonprofit best practice.
• Help the Board decide where outside fundraising consultants add value and manage any such engagements.

Major gifts and donor relationships:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major-gift donors, with emphasis on philanthropic Catholic families and benefactors.
• Lead a donor-centered stewardship program that increases retention and deepens each benefactor's participation in the mission.
• Prepare and equip the Executive Director, board members, physicians, and volunteers to make introductions and asks.
• Launch planned giving program - bequests, gifts of stock, IRA charitable distributions, annual and multi-year giving campaigns, and similar vehicles.
• Provide continuous outreach to donors and potential donors and hold donor events throughout the year.

Foundations and institutional partners:

• Research, write, and manage grant proposals and reports for Catholic foundations, family foundations, and other aligned funders.
• Build relationships with parishes, the Diocese of Rochester, Catholic organizations, and businesses that share our commitment to the dignity of the human person.

Annual giving and events:

• Run annual and multi-year campaigns, including appeals, monthly-giving programs, and online and digital giving.
• Work with professional event coordinators to develop and support signature events such as An Evening for Restore gala. Items of focus include event sponsorship, committee leadership, and follow-up that turns attendees into donors.

Operations and communications:

• Own the donor database (CRM): data integrity, gift processing, timely acknowledgments, and management reporting.
• Partner on donor communications - newsletters, impact reports, case statements, website, and social media - telling our story faithfully and compellingly.
• Recruit and manage development volunteers and, as the program grows, development staff.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including persuasive proposals and case statements.
• Ability to learn about available grant programs
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace.
• Ability to work some evenings for board meetings, donor meetings and events, and a valid driver's license.
• Attend national events, training, and conferences for continuing education.

Catholic philanthropy competencies:

• Understanding of the Theology of Gift and how it shapes the relationship between benefactor, mission, and the Church.
• Ability to integrate modern fundraising best practices with the Catholic faith - donor-centered, ethical, and rooted in stewardship.
• Leadership and management skills for a senior mission-advancement role

Preferred:

• Fundraising experience in Catholic healthcare, a Diocese, a Catholic School, or a Pro-Life or Apostolic organization.
• At least 2 years of business or marketing experience.
• Working knowledge of CRM Software.
• Experience building or running a comprehensive development program - annual fund, major gifts, grants, and events.
• Existing relationships with donors, foundations, and Parishes in the Rochester region.
• Familiarity with restorative reproductive medicine, life-affirming healthcare, Pro-Life teaching, and Catholic medical ethics.

Mission commitment and character:

This role represents a Catholic Ministry to donors, and the community, so personal commitment to the mission is essential. The successful candidate will:

• Be a practicing Catholic in good standing who embraces and can articulate the Church's teaching on the dignity of human life, marriage, and the family, and on healthcare.
• Support the SMFPI and the Restore mission and represent it with charity and clarity.
• Treat every benefactor as a partner in the mission.
• Bring integrity, and discretion with confidential donor and patient information.
• Show entrepreneurial commitment, enthusiasm about working in a small, fast-growing organization.
• Work collaboratively with physicians, staff, board members, and volunteers.

Compensation and how to apply:

Salary based on experience and qualifications. Full-time employees are eligible for health insurance and to participate in our retirement plan.

To apply: Send a resume, a cover letter describing your experience and your connection to our mission, and three professional references (including one Pastoral reference) to accountant@smfpi.org with "Director of Development" in the subject line. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; we hope to fill this position as soon as possible. Employment is contingent on a satisfactory background check.

SMFPI is a Catholic religious organization; as permitted by Title VII 702 and NY Executive Law 296(11), this position requires a practicing Catholic. SMFPI does not otherwise discriminate on any basis protected by law.

About the Employer

To cultivate hope and wholeness for all through ethical medical care,
counseling, education, research and referrals in a supportive community.