Development Director at Exceptional Persons Inc

Waterloo, Iowa, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

04 Jul, 26

Salary

68875.23

Posted On

05 Apr, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Major gifts, Fundraising, Donor engagement, Grant writing, Community outreach, Strategic planning, Relationship building, Communication, Presentation skills, Donor stewardship, Nonprofit management, Business development, Marketing, Public relations, Data management

Industry

Non-profit Organizations

Description

Lead Community Impact with Purpose – Join a Mission That Changes Lives At EPI, we don’t just talk about impact, we live it every single day. Since 1957, we’ve been connecting people, creating opportunities, and nurturing growth for individuals with disabilities and families across our community. Our work is grounded in four core values: People, Stewardship, Creative Cooperation, and Integrity. These values guide every decision we make and unite our team around something bigger than ourselves. The Leader We’re Looking For We are seeking a strategic, relationship‑driven Development Director to advance the philanthropy and partnerships that make EPI’s mission possible. With a strong emphasis on major gifts, this role provides leadership and hands‑on execution across fundraising, donor engagement, grants, and community outreach, ensuring sustainable support for agency priorities. If you are a development professional who thrives at cultivating high-impact donor relationships, inspiring investment in mission and connecting community partners to meaningful outcomes, this role offers the opportunity to create lasting impact. Your Leadership Impact Lead EPI's major gifts strategy, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors capable of making significant investments in the mission. Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan that integrates major gifts with annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, grants and special events. Build and manage a strong portfolio of donors and prospects, creating personalized engagement and stewardship strategies. Strengthen community visibility by serving as a key ambassador for EPI with donors, businesses, and stakeholders. Oversee fundraising campaigns, donor engagement events, and community partnerships. Identify and pursue grant opportunities, support proposal development, compliance, and reporting. Ensure strong development operations, including accurate donor data, gift processing, reporting, and collaboration with Finance. Partner across teams to communicate mission impact and foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization. Uphold ethical fundraising standards and donor confidentiality. What You’ll Bring Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, marketing, public relations, human services, or related field. A combination of education and experience will be considered. Five 5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, business development, marketing, or sales. Experience cultivating individual, corporate, and foundation donors preferred. Grant writing or grant management experience preferred. Strong relationship‑building, communication, and presentation skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision. Flexibility to work occasional evenings, weekends, or travel for events. Valid driver’s license and ability to pass required background checks. Working at EPI Has Its Benefits. Many Benefits. Health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans (even pet insurance!). Generous paid time off. 401(k) employer match up to 6%. Free telemedicine and virtual counseling. Immediate employee discounts (gym memberships and more). Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer. A mission‑centered environment where your work truly matters. A values‑driven, people‑first culture grounded in collaboration, innovation, and integrity. A supportive, relationship‑focused workplace where your ideas are welcomed and your contributions are recognized. Ready to Lead with Purpose? Apply Today. If you are inspired by meaningful work and energized by the opportunity to connect generosity and community impact, we’d love to meet you. Join EPI and help sustain the mission that changes lives. Location Waterloo, Iowa Department Organizational Development - Communications & Development Employment Type FT-Full-Time Minimum Experience Mid-level Compensation $68,875.23+ DOE

Responsibilities

The Development Director will lead major gifts strategy and execute comprehensive fundraising plans to ensure sustainable support for the agency. They will also serve as a key ambassador to build community partnerships and oversee donor engagement and grant opportunities.