Description

Director of Development

Full-Time | Hybrid | Libertyville, Illinois
Salary Range: $95,000 – $110,000

About Farm Foundation

Farm Foundation is a 93-year-old organization with the energy and spirit of a startup. Our team made up of board members, staff, and volunteers is driven by a shared passion for building trust and understanding at the intersection of agriculture and society. We are in a significant period of growth and are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Development to help expand our impact through innovative and strategic fundraising efforts.

Position Summary

The Director of Development is a senior fundraising leader responsible for planning, executing, and growing Farm Foundation’s contributed revenue from individuals, corporations, and foundations. This role leads donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies across annual giving, corporate engagement, and major gifts. The Director works closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Development Committee to advance Farm Foundation’s mission.

This is a hybrid position with regular on-site presence two days a week expected at Farm Foundation’s Innovation and Education Campus/Headquarters in Libertyville, Illinois.

What You’ll Do

• Lead fundraising strategy across annual giving, corporate partnerships, and major gifts
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and corporate partners
• Manage and grow major gift and corporate engagement pipelines
• Collaborate with leadership on fundraising strategy, budgeting, and Board reporting
• Oversee donor tracking and stewardship using CRM tools
• Represent Farm Foundation at donor meetings, events, and industry engagements

Compensation & Benefits

Farm Foundation offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Salary range: $95,000 – $110,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with generous employer contributions and matching
• Paid Time Off: Three weeks (120 hours) of accrued paid vacation per year with increased vacation based on tenure
• Hybrid work environment and a collaborative, mission-driven culture
   

Farm Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities and may be amended at any time.

Requirements

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• 5–7+ years of fundraising experience, including major gifts
• Demonstrated success securing five-figure and six-figure gifts
• Capital campaign experience
• CRM management experience
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment