KSPS PBS has served the Inland Northwest for nearly 60 years, connecting communities through trusted public media. We are seeking a strategic and collaborative Director of Development to lead a strong, established fundraising program generating approximately $4.8 million annually.
A note for candidates watching the public media landscape: With the 2025 loss of federal funding nationwide, some assume every public media organization is in financial distress. KSPS is the counterexample. Our revenue has always come overwhelmingly from donors and community support across the Inland Northwest and Western Canada - not federal dollars. We hold $12.1 million in total assets, $9.3 million in net assets, and more than two years of liquid operating reserves, with five consecutive years of operating surpluses and net assets that have more than doubled since 2019. Our current fiscal year is running 11% ahead of fundraising goals.
Don’t take our word for it! Our Form 990s are public on ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer (search “Friends of KSPS”), and we encourage you to look.
The position is open due to internal advancement. The previous Director of Development was recently promoted to President and General Manager after three successful years in the role, following a predecessor who served as Development Director for ten years.
This is not a turnaround role. In response to the loss of federal funding, supporters across the Inland Northwest and Western Canada have stepped forward in remarkable ways, substantially narrowing the resulting revenue gap. The next Director of Development will build on that momentum by retaining and deepening relationships with these new supporters while leading efforts to replace approximately $1.2 million in lost federal funding through diversified philanthropic revenue over the next three years. This work will be supported by an eight-person team, a deeply loyal donor base, an engaged board, and a President who previously held this very role.
Reporting to the President and General Manager, the Director of Development leads an eight-person team responsible for membership, major giving, corporate underwriting, and development operations. This is both a leadership and frontline fundraising position. The President previously served as Development Director, ensuring strong executive partnership and deep organizational commitment to philanthropy.
The next Director will help guide the organization through a period of strategic growth and opportunity. As public media adapts to the loss of federal funding nationwide, KSPS PBS is pursuing a proactive strategy to diversify revenue, deepen donor relationships, modernize fundraising systems, expand major and planned giving efforts, and position the organization for significant future philanthropic opportunities. The organization has the full support of its board and leadership team as it moves through this period with clarity and purpose.
You’ll inherit a strong, experienced team and a loyal donor base with real depth. You'll also inherit a growing major gifts program, a maturing planned giving program supporting an endowment approaching $5 million, and fundraising performance that is already exceeding expectations. The foundation is here, and this role is about building on it.
In this role, you will:
-
Lead and inspire a talented development team, setting clear goals and building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
-
Develop and execute strategies to replace approximately $1.2 million in lost federal funding over 36 months while strengthening diversified revenue streams across membership, major gifts, corporate support, foundations, and planned giving.
-
Personally manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 25 to 40 major donor prospects, partnering closely with the President and General Manager on cultivation and solicitation strategy.
-
Strengthen donor stewardship, retention, and moves management processes to deepen relationships and increase long-term donor engagement.
-
Oversee a $1.6 million annual development budget and ensure fundraising strategy aligns with the organization’s 2024–2026 strategic plan.
-
Evaluate and enhance CRM usage, reporting tools, segmentation strategies, and forecasting to support data-informed decision-making and modern fundraising practices.
-
Strengthen fundraising infrastructure, systems, and strategic planning to ensure KSPS PBS is well positioned for its next chapter of growth and community impact.
Requirements
We are looking for a leader who combines strategic vision with operational discipline and a deep respect for mission-driven work.
You bring:
-
A bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred).
-
Five to ten years of progressive fundraising leadership experience.
-
Demonstrated success managing diversified revenue streams and meeting ambitious fundraising goals.
-
A proven track record of cultivating and closing major gifts.
-
Experience supervising and mentoring professional fundraising staff.
-
Strong analytical skills and comfort using CRM systems and data to guide strategy and decision-making.
-
CFRE certification, or willingness to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
You are:
-
A collaborative and emotionally intelligent leader who builds trust across teams, donors, and board members.
-
Calm under pressure and steady in politically sensitive or highly visible environments.
-
Data-informed and intellectually rigorous in your approach.
-
A builder who strengthens and improves existing systems rather than starting from scratch.
-
Deeply aligned with the mission and values of public media.
-
Comfortable partnering closely with an actively engaged President and General Manager on fundraising strategy and donor relationships.
Why This Role Is Different
Unlike many fundraising leadership positions, this role is primarily a weekday leadership position. Evening commitments generally average one to two times per month and are typically tied to donor cultivation, station events, or community engagement activities.
Travel is limited and generally consists of one or two professional conferences annually and occasional regional donor visits.
This role offers the opportunity to lead a high-performing fundraising program while maintaining a healthy and sustainable work-life balance.
Why Spokane?*
Spokane offers a rare combination of professional opportunity and quality of life. Residents enjoy short commutes, a lower cost of living than most major West Coast cities, a thriving arts and restaurant scene, and immediate access to hiking, skiing, lakes, rivers, and other outdoor recreation.
As the economic and cultural hub of the Inland Northwest, Spokane provides the amenities of a growing metropolitan area while remaining welcoming, accessible, and community oriented.
- Relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate.
Benefits
-
$100,000 – $115,000, commensurate with experience and credentials.
-
Full-Time, exempt
-
Regular Schedule (M-F, 8am – 5pm), one workday remote after 90 days
-
Up to 12 paid holidays (holiday must fall on a normally scheduled workday) or time and a half when working on the actual holiday.
-
Vacation
-
Paid Sick Leave
-
Medical/Dental Insurance for employees (optionally for dependents)
-
Life Insurance
-
Short Term & Long Term Disability
-
Retirement Benefits (401 (K) Plan) eligibility after 90-days of service. Employer automatically contributes 3% annually.
