Join our team!

Development Director

Children’s Discovery Foundation (Funhouse Commons) is seeking a dynamic and relationship-driven Development Director to lead fundraising and donor engagement efforts that sustain and grow programs serving young people from birth through age 18 on Orcas Island.

Mission & Vision

Our mission is to be a place of belonging and discovery. Our vision is a thriving community in which every young person is welcome, supported, and inspired.

Position Overview

The Development Director leads fundraising, donor engagement, and development communications for Children’s Discovery Foundation (Funhouse Commons). This role is responsible for cultivating relationships with donors, foundations, and community partners while implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to sustain and grow youth programs serving Orcas Island.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Board, and staff, the Development Director strengthens philanthropic support through individual giving, grants, events, and planned giving initiatives. This position also provides key support to the Executive Director in donor stewardship and relationship-building, including assisting with donor outreach, meeting coordination, invitations, and preparation for donor cultivation opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Strategy

  • Develop and implement annual fundraising plan and calendar

  • Grow support from individual donors, businesses, and foundations

  • Secure sponsorships and in-kind contributions

Donor Relations & Stewardship

  • Cultivate and steward donor relationships

  • Coordinate acknowledgements and ongoing engagement

  • Support Executive Director with donor outreach, meetings, and follow-up

Major Gifts & Planned Giving

  • Build strategies for major and multi-year gifts

  • Promote legacy giving (bequests, trusts, donor-advised funds)

Grants & Institutional Funding

  • Research, write, and manage grant proposals

  • Maintain funder relationships and reporting

Communications & Events

  • Lead fundraising communications (appeals, newsletters, annual report)

  • Coordinate storytelling and impact messaging

  • Plan key events including Annual Gala and Discovery Tours

Operations

  • Manage GiveButter and donor database

  • Oversee gift processing, reporting, and donor data accuracy

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of experience in non-profit development or fundraising

  • Experience with grant writing, donor stewardship, and fundraising campaigns

  • Strong writing, communication, and relationship-building skills

  • Experience with donor databases or systems (GiveButter or similar)

  • Strong organizational and project management abilities

  • Experience in small non-profit or community-based organizations preferred

Compensation

Salary range: $65,000 – $85,000, depending on experience, based on a 32-hour work week.

Benefits include:

  • 2 weeks paid vacation

  • Health care coverage

  • Retirement contribution

  • Aeromedical memberships

  • Flexible work arrangements

To Apply
Please submit your resume, two references, and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and experience to jobs@thefunhouse.org. Applications will be closed April 30th.