Director of Development
The Barker Adoption Foundation | Hybrid (Virtual + In-Office) | Full-Time
For over 80 years, The Barker Adoption Foundation has helped build and strengthen families through ethical, child-centered adoption services and lifelong support for birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families. We're looking for a Director of Development to lead the fundraising strategy that makes this work possible - and to help even more children find permanent, loving homes.
This is a role for someone who wants their work to matter. Every gift you help secure, every donor relationship you build, and every campaign you lead directly expands our ability to serve the families who count on us - from an expectant parent navigating a difficult decision, to a family bringing home a child, to an adoptee seeking support decades later.
As Director of Development, you'll own Barker's comprehensive fundraising strategy - annual giving, major gifts, donor cultivation and stewardship, planned giving, grants, special events, and corporate and foundation relations. You'll work closely with our Executive Director/CEO, Board of Trustees, and a collaborative staff team, and you'll serve on Barker's Management Team.
You'll build and manage a structured donor pipeline from first gift through legacy giving, lead major gift strategy, and oversee the systems and reporting that keep our development program running smoothly. You'll also supervise development staff and partner closely with marketing to tell Barker's story in ways that inspire people to give.
What you'll do:
Design and execute Barker's fundraising strategy in partnership with the Executive Director/CEO, Marketing, the Board, and staff
Build and grow a donor pipeline - acquisition through major and planned gifts - using donor-centered, relationship-driven methodologies
Lead major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Launch and grow a planned giving/bequest program
Manage annual appeals, including #GivingTuesday, DOMORE24, workplace giving, and our Phone-A-Thon
Support the Friends of Barker Endowment campaign
Design and lead fundraising events that expand our donor base and visibility
Oversee grant proposal development, reporting, and institutional funder relationships
Maintain and grow the DonorPerfect database and fundraising reporting
Supervise and mentor development staff, consultants, and volunteers
Represent Barker at donor meetings, conferences, and community events
Bachelor's degree plus 5+ years in development/fundraising, or equivalent experience
A proven track record building fundraising strategy, cultivating donors, and meeting revenue goals
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Comfort with donor databases (DonorPerfect preferred), Microsoft Office, and virtual meeting tools
A natural relationship-builder - with donors, board members, staff, and community and corporate partners
Sound judgment and discretion handling confidential donor and organizational information
Self-direction, strong follow-through, and comfort leading projects independently
Strong leadership, organizational, and supervisory skills, with real attention to detail
Cultural competence and a genuine commitment to working across diverse backgrounds
Flexibility for occasional evenings/weekends, and reliable transportation for periodic local and regional travel
A meaningful, mission-driven role where your work directly changes children's and families' lives
A collaborative, supportive team culture - you won't be building this alone
A hybrid work arrangement that combines flexibility with in-person connection to our team and community
Excellent benefits
A respected, 80+ year legacy in ethical, child-centered adoption services, with the room and support to build a modern, sustainable development program
If you're ready to bring your fundraising talent to work that changes lives, we'd love to hear from you. Please provide a cover letter along with your application and resume.
