Director of Development & Community Engagement

Director of Development & Community Engagement

Reports To: Executive Director

Position Summary

The Veterans Healing Farm is growing, and we're looking for a passionate, relationship-driven leader to help expand our impact.

As our Director of Development & Community Engagement, you'll lead fundraising, donor engagement, strategic partnerships, grants, sponsorships, and community outreach that support the mission of the Veterans Healing Farm: enhancing the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of our nation’s Veterans and their families through agritherapy, education, and community. This role builds sustainable funding streams while strengthening relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, and community partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors
• Build major gift, recurring donor, and planned giving programs
• Oversee annual campaigns, fundraising events, and special initiatives
• Develop sponsorship opportunities for programs and events
• Maintain relationships with foundation and institutional funders
• Develop partnerships with businesses, veteran organizations, and community leaders
• Secure sponsorships and in-kind donations
• Expand relationships with healthcare, wellness, agricultural, and veteran-serving organizations
• Create donor engagement strategies and impact reporting
• Maintain donor database and tracking systems
• Collaborate on storytelling, newsletters, social media, and outreach efforts
• Ensure donors understand the impact of their support
• Work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors
• Support board fundraising activities and donor cultivation
• Help build long-term financial sustainability strategies

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, sales, or relationship management preferred
• Proven ability to build relationships and secure financial support
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with grant writing preferred
• Organized, self-directed, and mission-driven
• Passion for supporting Veterans and rural communities

Preferred Experience

• Veteran-serving organizations
• Agriculture, wellness, healthcare, or nonprofit sectors
• CRM/database management
• Event planning and sponsorship development

Success Measures

• Annual fundraising growth
• Number of new donors and partners secured
• Grant revenue generated
• Donor retention rates
• Sponsorship and partnership growth