If you are energized by building donor relationships, securing philanthropic investment, and advancing inclusion through sustainable revenue, this role may be for you.
The Arc of Wabash County is seeking a Director of Fund Development and Engagement to lead and grow its fundraising program while ensuring communications efforts actively support donor engagement and community awareness. Reporting to the President/CEO, this senior leadership role is responsible for driving philanthropic revenue, managing key donor relationships, and strengthening the organization’s long-term financial sustainability.
This position requires a strong local presence and regular engagement with individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, and community leaders. While some planning and administrative work may be completed remotely, this is a highly relational, externally focused role centered on face-to-face fundraising, stewardship, and community visibility.
As The Arc continues to invest in its future, this role offers the opportunity to shape and lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports mission impact, advocacy, and organizational growth — with communications serving as a strategic tool to advance fundraising goals.
Apply here: Join The Team | Wabash | The Arc of Wabash County
Attention: Jeff Patton, CEO
Position Title: Director of Fund Development and Engagement
Reports to: President/CEO
Supervises: Communications & Public Relations Manager, contractors, interns, and/or volunteers
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Hybrid (onsite and remote flexibility)
Position Summary
Provides strategic leadership for The Arc of Wabash County’s fundraising and philanthropic growth, ensuring the organization’s long-term financial sustainability and community impact. Oversees communications function with a clear emphasis on fund development, revenue generation, and donor engagement and relationship management.
Serves as a key member of the leadership team, a visible community ambassador, and a primary driver of donor, partner, and stakeholder relationships. Communications and marketing efforts are directed to support fundraising goals, advocacy priorities, and mission impact.
Core Responsibilities
Fundraising & Donor Development
· Lead and grow a comprehensive fundraising program, including annual giving, major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and special events.
· Maintain and actively manage a personal portfolio of donors and prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities to meet or exceed annual revenue goals.
· Partner closely with the President/CEO and Board members to support their fundraising efforts, including donor strategy, preparation, coordination, and follow-up.
· Strengthen the organization’s major gift pipeline by identifying, qualifying, and engaging new prospects.
· Use data, metrics, and donor insights to inform fundraising strategy, monitor progress, and improve performance.
· Ensure timely and accurate donor acknowledgments, stewardship, and recordkeeping in collaboration with administrative staff.
Communications & Public Relations
· Provide strategic oversight of communications and public relations to ensure messaging supports fundraising, donor engagement, advocacy, and mission impact.
· Supervise the Communications and Public Relations function and team, setting priorities and ensuring alignment with development goals.
· In collaboration with the CEO, guide the development of an annual communications plan that integrates storytelling with fundraising and community engagement strategies.
· Ensure brand consistency, message clarity, and effective use of communications channels to strengthen donor and community relationships.
Event Management
· Lead fundraising events as revenue-generating and relationship-building opportunities, with a focus on sponsorships, donor engagement, and net revenue.
· Partner with the Board, CEO, and Communications staff to ensure events are strategically aligned with fundraising goals.
· Oversee event budgets, sponsorship strategies, volunteer committees, and post-event evaluation, including return on investment.
Community Engagement & Representation
· Serve as a visible ambassador for The Arc in building strong community relationships.
· Represent The Arc at civic groups and community events to promote programs and impact.
· Identify opportunities to engage new supporters through outreach and presentations.
· Collect and share compelling stories from individuals served and families.
· Stay informed on trends and issues affecting individuals with disabilities.
Administrative Leadership & Collaboration
· Serve as staff lead to the Fundraising and Community Relations Committee of the Board.
· In collaboration with the CEO, develop and implement policies and systems that strengthen fundraising and communications.
· Work with the Board to build fundraising and ambassadorial capacity.
· Supervise and collaborate with the Communications and Public Relations Manager for message alignment.
· Collaborate with business operations staff to ensure efficiency and accurate financial data.
· Supervise interns and volunteers and manage departmental budgets.
Qualifications
Experience
· Minimum 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising.
· Experience in communications and PR within the nonprofit sector preferred.
· Proven success in donor portfolio management and major gift solicitation.
· Experience supervising staff and managing cross-functional teams.
· Experience with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred.
Skills and Competencies
· Strong relationship-building skills.
· Excellent written, verbal, and storytelling abilities.
· Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into plans.
· Proficiency in Microsoft 365, CRM systems, and digital tools.
· Demonstrated integrity and discretion.
· Collaborative and mission-driven.
Core Competencies
· Advocacy – Actively supports and advances the mission of The Arc of Wabash County by promoting the rights, choices, and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
· Collaboration – Builds positive, productive relationships with colleagues, individuals served, families, and community partners to achieve shared goals.
· Continuous Improvement – Seeks opportunities to learn, adapt, and improve performance, programs, and processes to enhance organizational effectiveness.
· Inclusion – Demonstrates respect and openness toward diverse perspectives and backgrounds; ensures all individuals feel valued and supported.
· Respect – Treats others with dignity and professionalism; communicates with empathy and integrity in all interactions.
Additional Requirements & Conditions of Employment
· Must demonstrate interest in and empathy for individuals with disabilities.
· Must not be listed with a finding on the Indiana Registered Nurse Aide Registry.
· Must not be listed on the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General Fraud Prevention and Detection Exclusion Program registry.
· Must not have convictions listed in Title 460 IAC 6-10-5 on the Limited Criminal History Check.
· Must maintain certification in CPR, Automated External Defibrillation (AED), and Standard First Aid (training provided by Arc of Wabash County).
· Remote work may be considered; regular onsite presence required.
· Occasional evening or weekend hours required for events.
Compensation and Benefits
· Competitive salary aligned with the Northeast Indiana and Wabash County market.
· Individual health insurance (85% employer paid), dental and vision insurance.
· Paid life insurance, short-term disability, generous paid time off and holidays.
· Flexible scheduling, employer-matching retirement plan, and professional development support.
The Arc of Wabash County is seeking a Director of Fund Development and Engagement to lead and grow its fundraising program while ensuring communications efforts actively support donor engagement and community awareness. Reporting to the President/CEO, this senior leadership role is responsible for driving philanthropic revenue, managing key donor relationships, and strengthening the organization’s long-term financial sustainability.
This position requires a strong local presence and regular engagement with individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, and community leaders. While some planning and administrative work may be completed remotely, this is a highly relational, externally focused role centered on face-to-face fundraising, stewardship, and community visibility.
As The Arc continues to invest in its future, this role offers the opportunity to shape and lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports mission impact, advocacy, and organizational growth — with communications serving as a strategic tool to advance fundraising goals.
Apply here: Join The Team | Wabash | The Arc of Wabash County
Attention: Jeff Patton, CEO
Position Title: Director of Fund Development and Engagement
Reports to: President/CEO
Supervises: Communications & Public Relations Manager, contractors, interns, and/or volunteers
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Hybrid (onsite and remote flexibility)
Position Summary
Provides strategic leadership for The Arc of Wabash County’s fundraising and philanthropic growth, ensuring the organization’s long-term financial sustainability and community impact. Oversees communications function with a clear emphasis on fund development, revenue generation, and donor engagement and relationship management.
Serves as a key member of the leadership team, a visible community ambassador, and a primary driver of donor, partner, and stakeholder relationships. Communications and marketing efforts are directed to support fundraising goals, advocacy priorities, and mission impact.
Core Responsibilities
Fundraising & Donor Development
· Lead and grow a comprehensive fundraising program, including annual giving, major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and special events.
· Maintain and actively manage a personal portfolio of donors and prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities to meet or exceed annual revenue goals.
· Partner closely with the President/CEO and Board members to support their fundraising efforts, including donor strategy, preparation, coordination, and follow-up.
· Strengthen the organization’s major gift pipeline by identifying, qualifying, and engaging new prospects.
· Use data, metrics, and donor insights to inform fundraising strategy, monitor progress, and improve performance.
· Ensure timely and accurate donor acknowledgments, stewardship, and recordkeeping in collaboration with administrative staff.
Communications & Public Relations
· Provide strategic oversight of communications and public relations to ensure messaging supports fundraising, donor engagement, advocacy, and mission impact.
· Supervise the Communications and Public Relations function and team, setting priorities and ensuring alignment with development goals.
· In collaboration with the CEO, guide the development of an annual communications plan that integrates storytelling with fundraising and community engagement strategies.
· Ensure brand consistency, message clarity, and effective use of communications channels to strengthen donor and community relationships.
Event Management
· Lead fundraising events as revenue-generating and relationship-building opportunities, with a focus on sponsorships, donor engagement, and net revenue.
· Partner with the Board, CEO, and Communications staff to ensure events are strategically aligned with fundraising goals.
· Oversee event budgets, sponsorship strategies, volunteer committees, and post-event evaluation, including return on investment.
Community Engagement & Representation
· Serve as a visible ambassador for The Arc in building strong community relationships.
· Represent The Arc at civic groups and community events to promote programs and impact.
· Identify opportunities to engage new supporters through outreach and presentations.
· Collect and share compelling stories from individuals served and families.
· Stay informed on trends and issues affecting individuals with disabilities.
Administrative Leadership & Collaboration
· Serve as staff lead to the Fundraising and Community Relations Committee of the Board.
· In collaboration with the CEO, develop and implement policies and systems that strengthen fundraising and communications.
· Work with the Board to build fundraising and ambassadorial capacity.
· Supervise and collaborate with the Communications and Public Relations Manager for message alignment.
· Collaborate with business operations staff to ensure efficiency and accurate financial data.
· Supervise interns and volunteers and manage departmental budgets.
Qualifications
Experience
· Minimum 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising.
· Experience in communications and PR within the nonprofit sector preferred.
· Proven success in donor portfolio management and major gift solicitation.
· Experience supervising staff and managing cross-functional teams.
· Experience with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred.
Skills and Competencies
· Strong relationship-building skills.
· Excellent written, verbal, and storytelling abilities.
· Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into plans.
· Proficiency in Microsoft 365, CRM systems, and digital tools.
· Demonstrated integrity and discretion.
· Collaborative and mission-driven.
Core Competencies
· Advocacy – Actively supports and advances the mission of The Arc of Wabash County by promoting the rights, choices, and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
· Collaboration – Builds positive, productive relationships with colleagues, individuals served, families, and community partners to achieve shared goals.
· Continuous Improvement – Seeks opportunities to learn, adapt, and improve performance, programs, and processes to enhance organizational effectiveness.
· Inclusion – Demonstrates respect and openness toward diverse perspectives and backgrounds; ensures all individuals feel valued and supported.
· Respect – Treats others with dignity and professionalism; communicates with empathy and integrity in all interactions.
Additional Requirements & Conditions of Employment
· Must demonstrate interest in and empathy for individuals with disabilities.
· Must not be listed with a finding on the Indiana Registered Nurse Aide Registry.
· Must not be listed on the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General Fraud Prevention and Detection Exclusion Program registry.
· Must not have convictions listed in Title 460 IAC 6-10-5 on the Limited Criminal History Check.
· Must maintain certification in CPR, Automated External Defibrillation (AED), and Standard First Aid (training provided by Arc of Wabash County).
· Remote work may be considered; regular onsite presence required.
· Occasional evening or weekend hours required for events.
Compensation and Benefits
· Competitive salary aligned with the Northeast Indiana and Wabash County market.
· Individual health insurance (85% employer paid), dental and vision insurance.
· Paid life insurance, short-term disability, generous paid time off and holidays.
· Flexible scheduling, employer-matching retirement plan, and professional development support.
