Director of Development and Advancement

Naperville, IL, USA|Remote, Onsite

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Compensation

Salary
Range $69,957.20 - $84,249.53
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Work Schedule

Flexible
Weekend Shifts
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Benefits

Paid Time Off
vacation
sick days
Personal Days
Paid holidays
Medical insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
403(b) Retirement Plan

Job Description

SamaraCare is a well-established nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality mental health counseling, psychiatric, and autism services to individuals, couples, and families. With a rich history spanning over 55 years, SamaraCare is committed to delivering holistic care that addresses the emotional, physical, spiritual, and relational aspects of clients' lives. The organization uniquely offers spiritually integrated services across many faith traditions and life perspectives, catering to a diverse client base from varying financial backgrounds. SamaraCare's Mental Health Access Program exemplifies its dedication to equity by providing reduced-cost care to uninsured, underinsured, or financially challenged individuals. Beyond clinical care, SamaraCare fosters community understanding and seeks to reduce mental health stigma through customized educational and wellness programs. This inclusive and comprehensive approach has made SamaraCare a trusted leader in the mental health field within its community.

The position of Director of Development and Advancement at SamaraCare is a strategic leadership role pivotal to the organization's continued growth and impact. Based in Naperville, IL with hybrid work flexibility, this role offers an annual salary range of $90,000 to $95,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director will be instrumental in expanding SamaraCare's philanthropic support to increase access to affordable mental health care services. The role encompasses leading fundraising efforts across multiple channels including major gifts, institutional grants, planned giving, congregational support, and special events. This position demands a visionary professional passionate about mission-driven work who can cultivate meaningful donor relationships, craft compelling grant proposals, and lead effective fundraising campaigns. As a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Development and Advancement participates in strategic planning and program integration to ensure cohesive advancement aligned with organizational goals. The job also includes occasional evening and weekend hours, reflecting the nature of community engagement activities and special event coordination.

This career opportunity is ideal for an experienced nonprofit development professional who embraces innovation and results-oriented fundraising. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional relationship-building skills and a proactive, organized approach allowing them to manage multiple priorities effectively. Their work will directly contribute to expanding SamaraCare's mission by ensuring that life-changing mental health services remain accessible to underserved populations. Comprehensive benefits accompany this role, including paid time off, vacation, sick and personal days, paid holidays, medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a 403(b) retirement plan. Joining SamaraCare means becoming part of a dedicated, collaborative team striving to deepen community impact through holistic mental health care and inclusive philanthropy.

Job Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • 5+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit development
  • Experience in major gift cultivation and donor stewardship
  • Proficiency with donor management systems
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Commitment to the mission of affordable mental health care

Job Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree a plus
  • 5+ years of progressive experience within nonprofit development with demonstrated ability to increase revenue
  • 5+ years of experience in major gift cultivation, and donor stewardship
  • Proficiency with donor management systems
  • Donor Perfect a plus
  • Commitment to SamaraCare's mission
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
  • Organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Job Duties

  • Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy to grow annual contributed revenue through diversified funding streams
  • cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts from individual donors, foundations, congregations, and community partners
  • partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to identify and engage high-capacity donors and expand philanthropic relationships
  • build meaningful donor engagement strategies that deepen connection to SamaraCare's mission and inspire long-term investment and loyalty
  • monitor fundraising performance metrics and identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and expanded community support
  • manage the full lifecycle of institutional giving, including prospect research, grant proposal submission, reporting, and stewardship
  • write compelling, mission-driven grant proposals and reports for foundations, corporations, and government agencies
  • ensure timely completion of all grant deliverables and reporting requirements in collaboration with finance and program staff
  • maintain accurate fundraising and grants management data, including application tracking, donor records, program outcomes, and demographic reporting
  • strengthen and expand relationships with congregations, faith leaders, referral partners, and community organizations across the service area
  • serve as a visible and passionate ambassador for SamaraCare at community events, speaking engagements, and partnership initiatives
  • advance inclusive, relationship-centered engagement that reflects the organization's values and commitment to serving diverse communities
  • partner with the Director of Communications to design and execute annual giving campaigns, donor appeals, and digital fundraising strategies
  • lead the planning and execution of impactful fundraising events and donor engagement experiences
  • ensure consistent and compelling messaging across all fundraising communications and materials in collaboration with the Director of Communications
  • oversee timely donor acknowledgment, stewardship communications, and recognition efforts to enhance donor retention and engagement
  • equip and support Board members in fundraising activities, donor cultivation, and ambassador engagement
  • collaborate closely with leadership, communications, finance, and program teams to align fundraising priorities with organizational goals
  • contribute strategic insight as an active member of the organization's leadership team

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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