CAREERS

The Big Red Barn Retreat Director of Development

Pay: From $65,000.00 – $70,000.00 per year (negotiable)

About Big Red Barn Retreat:

Big Red Barn Retreat serves military service members, veterans, and first responders through evidence-based post-traumatic growth (PTG) programs and training designed to help individuals transform struggle into strength and thrive in life. Our flagship program, Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Helping Heroes), is a multi-phase training model that begins with a 5-day immersive retreat followed by 85 days of structured support, equipping participants with practical tools to reframe adversity and build a life of meaning, purpose, and growth. Participants who complete Warrior PATHH have been shown to experience significant outcomes, including an average 58% reduction in (PCL) PTSD symptoms and a 35% increase in overall well-being.

We also deliver Struggle Well, a PTG-based training program tailored for first responder agencies and teams, focused on strengthening culture and leadership from within. In addition, Big Red Barn Retreat offers ongoing services, including equine-assisted therapy and learning, yoga, tai chi, meditation, gardening, art and music therapy, and peer connection opportunities, that serve as both an entry point for individuals exploring our approach to wellness and a continued connection for graduates to stay engaged in a supportive, growth-oriented community.

Overview:

We are seeking a skilled Director of Development to lead and coordinate fundraising efforts across grants, sponsorships, events, direct mail campaigns, and individual giving. This position works closely with the Executive Director, staff, Board members, and community partners to identify and cultivate opportunities for support. The Director of Development is responsible for developing and executing a strategic fundraising plan that drives revenue growth and supports the organization’s annual fundraising goals.

Compensation:

Salary is negotiable based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated fundraising success.

Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy, Execution, & Monitoring

• Strategizes and executes an annual fundraising plan that includes prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship through major gift individual giving, involvement with fundraising efforts through annual giving and special event programs.
• Manages major gift individual giving and support annual giving and special event fundraising efforts.
• Monitors the progress of annual on-going fundraising activities and track performance toward meeting fundraising performance benchmarks as established in the development plan.
• Secures income through investments and donations.
• Forms strategic partnerships with contributors, solicits sponsorships, and manages and strengthens relationships with corporate investors to increase corporate giving.
• Researches donor interests and trends in fundraising and identifies new prospective investors.

Grant and Proposal Management

• Develops and implements a comprehensive grant strategy aligned with BRBR’s mission, goals, and funding needs.
• Identifies funding priorities and match them with potential grant opportunities.
• Conducts thorough research to identify prospective grant opportunities from foundations,
• corporations, government agencies, and other funding sources.
• Analyzes grant guidelines and assess the feasibility of applying for specific grants.
• Oversees the development and writing of compelling grant proposals, including crafting narratives, creating budgets, and compiling supporting documentation.
• Collaborates with program staff to gather necessary information and data to support grant proposals.
• Ensures that all proposals meet the specific requirements, guidelines, and deadlines of each grantor.
• Manages post-award grant activities, including tracking grant deliverables, outcomes, and expenditures.
• Utilize fundraising and grant management platforms such as monday.com (to streamline project tracking, workflows, and team collaboration), and Donorbox to manage donor tracking, grant activity, reporting, and fundraising operations, while leveraging automation tools to improve efficiency and oversight across all development initiatives.

Corporate Giving & Donor Engagement

• Develops and directs corporate giving programs and donor engagement opportunities that grow financial support for the Big Red Barn Retreat.
• Creates donor engagement opportunities to increase financial support for Big Red Barn Retreat.
• Provides strategic direction for each signature event and help lead team with plan to achieve event goals.

Donor Communication & Record Management

• Ensures timely mailing of acknowledgements, invoices and other correspondence as needed.
• Ensures accurate and timely recording of contributions, the issuing of receipts and thank you letters.
• Possesses a working knowledge of the gift entry process and work to enhance the use of donor records and reports for Development as needed.
• Reconciliations of expenses and cash flow.
• Oversees ongoing maintenance of donor files.

Collaboration with Marketing

• Partners with design and marketing teams to create and distribute fundraising communications including social media posts, brochures, and press releases.

Other

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Regular and sustained performance.
• Assist with fundraising event execution.
• Participate, and in some cases, lead tours of facility to provide program overview.
• Participate in Programs and Services the Big Red Barn Retreat offers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree in business, communications, nonprofit administration, public relations or similar field of study
• 3-5 years experience in development or sales role, preferably in a nonprofit fundraising, including major gifts, corporate giving, and grant writing.
• Proven track record of successful fundraising and donor management.
• Effective at building relationships and collaborating with all levels of employees, donors, and stakeholders
• In-depth understanding of fundraising principles and practices.
• Familiarity with grant writing and proposal development processes.
• Familiarity with government grants and contracts.
• Awareness of trends in philanthropy and donor engagement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong strategic planning and project management capabilities.
• Competence in creating compelling fundraising communications and marketing materials.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members and other departments.
• Ability to analyze fundraising data and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team towards achieving fundraising goals.
• Ability to interact with diverse stakeholders and build long-term relationships.
• Marketing automations tools like Hubspot and Monday.com. (preferred)
• Working knowledge of nonprofit CRM systems, like DonorPerfect. (preferred)
• Familiarity with Quickbooks or bookkeeping software. (preferred)