Development Director

Development Director

Mothers Without Borders | Full-Time | Remote 

About Mothers Without Borders

Mothers Without Borders (MWB) is dedicated to fostering resilience and self-sufficiency in developing countries through a holistic approach to community empowerment, particularly focusing on the most vulnerable women, youth, and children. Our work is rooted in our commitment to nurture human potential, ensuring that every initiative is not just a temporary fix but a step toward lasting change.

As we continue expanding our impact, we are seeking a Development Director to lead and grow our fundraising efforts, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our programs.

Position Overview

The Development Director is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that ensures MWB’s financial sustainability. This includes cultivating and stewarding relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, churches, and foundations; expanding monthly giving through the Carol Zulu Club; securing grant funding; managing donor engagement and stewardship; and leading fundraising campaigns and events.

This role requires a strategic thinker, activator and relationship-builder who can inspire generosity, drive revenue growth, and deepen donor engagement. The Development Director will work closely with the CEO and leadership team to align fundraising efforts with MWB’s mission and strategic priorities.

Reports To: CEO

Direct Reports: Manager of Expeditions

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop & Implement a Comprehensive Fundraising Strategy

• Create and execute an annual strategic development plan that includes strategies for cultivating and stewarding relationships with individual, corporate, church, matching gift, and foundation donors.
• Diversify revenue streams by expanding major gifts, monthly donors, grants, corporate partnerships, and special events.
• Track and analyze fundraising performance, adjusting strategies to maximize impact.

2. Donor Cultivation, Stewardship & Relationship Management

• Identify and research potential donors, including individuals, corporations, churches, and foundations.
• Cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals and develop personalized engagement strategies to secure five- and six-figure gifts.
• Manage a portfolio of donors, ensuring regular communication, meetings, and stewardship activities.
• Strengthen donor relationships by creating/refining a structured stewardship plan, ensuring personalized regular updates, impact stories, and gratitude touchpoints.
• Oversee donor appreciation and retention strategies to provide a high-touch, personalized donor experience.
• Assist in potential corporate and lead donor trips to Lusaka, facilitating meaningful engagement with MWB’s work on the ground.

3. Monthly Giving & Carol Zulu Club Growth

• Lead efforts to increase monthly giving through targeted campaigns and donor engagement.
• Develop and implement a robust marketing plan to grow The Carol Zulu Club, ensuring sustainable revenue growth.
• Track donor retention and acquisition metrics, adjusting strategies for continuous improvement.

4. Grant Writing & Institutional Giving

• Write and submit grant proposals to foundation and corporate donors.
• Maintain a calendar of grant opportunities, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
• Build relationships with grant-making organizations and ensure timely grant reporting.

5. Corporate & Faith-Based Partnerships

• Cultivate relationships with corporations and faith based organizations, securing sponsorships, in-kind donations, and matching gifts.
• Develop sponsorship packages for fundraising events and MWB initiatives.
• Engage corporate social responsibility (CSR) teams and connect with local church congregations to support MWB’s mission.

6. Fundraising Events & Campaigns

• Work with the CEO and leadership team to develop and implement fundraising campaigns and events.
• Assist with planning and execution of MWB’s annual fundraising gala, home fundraising events, and other donor engagement opportunities with local influencers.
• Oversee peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns and community-driven fundraising initiatives.
• Speak regularly at local churches, networking events, and fundraising events to increase awareness and engagement with MWB’s mission.

7. Donor Trips & Expedition Teams in Zambia

• Oversee MWB’s donor expeditions by managing the staff member responsible for expedition logistics, ensuring seamless planning, execution, and donor experience. 

• Provide strategic guidance on trip structure, engagement opportunities, and post-trip donor stewardship. 

• Support and accompany high-level donors on specialized trips, fostering deeper connections to MWB’s mission and impact.

8.  Donor Data & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records and engagement history in MWB’s CRM system.
• Analyze fundraising performance data, create reports, and provide strategic recommendations for revenue growth.
• Ensure all donor interactions and touchpoints are documented and tracked effectively.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of fundraising experience, with a strong track record in major gifts, grant writing, and donor cultivation.
• Proven ability to build relationships with high-net-worth donors and secure large gifts.
• Experience growing monthly giving programs and engaging donors in sustained giving.
• Strong grant writing and proposal development skills, with experience securing foundation and corporate grants.
• Expertise in event fundraising, corporate sponsorships, church engagement, and peer-to-peer giving strategies.
• Proficiency in CRM donor management systems (ideally Raiser’s Edge) and data analytics.
• Familiarity with Candid for grant research and nonprofit funding insights.
• Exceptional communication, storytelling, and relationship-building skills.
• Passion for MWB’s mission and a deep understanding of nonprofit fundraising best practices.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience
• Flexible work environment (remote)
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children, youth, and women

Ideal Candidate

The Development Director at Mothers Without Borders is a dynamic, relationship-driven leader with a passion for our mission and a proven track record in fundraising. The ideal candidate will be:

• A Strategic Fundraiser: Experienced in securing major gifts, growing monthly giving, cultivating corporate and foundation support, and leading successful fundraising campaigns. Experience creating a sponsorship program is a plus!

• Relationship-Focused: Skilled in building authentic connections with donors, businesses, foundations, and churches, ensuring personalized engagement and long-term support.

• A Compelling Communicator: A confident public speaker and storyteller who can inspire generosity at churches, networking events, and fundraisers.

• Mission-Driven & Culturally Aware: Passionate about MWB’s work, respectful of diverse communities, and able to connect donors to our impact in meaningful ways.

• Organized & Data-Savvy: Adept at managing donor pipelines, CRM systems (ideally Raiser’s Edge), and analytics to refine fundraising strategies.

• Entrepreneurial & Proactive: Self-motivated in seeking new opportunities, making major gift asks, and spearheading innovative fundraising initiatives.

• Collaborative & Team-Oriented: Works closely with the CEO, board, and staff to align fundraising with organizational goals, while mentoring and leading fundraising volunteers.

• Willing to Travel: Open to occasional travel for donor meetings, speaking engagements, and leading donor trips to Zambia.

This role is ideal for a high-energy, results-driven leader who thrives on connecting people to impactful giving opportunities and ensuring MWB’s long-term sustainability.

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their fundraising experience and passion for MWB’s mission to office@motherswithoutborders.org. We will be accepting applications through March 31st. 

Mothers Without Borders is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.