Vice President of Development

Project Access is transforming lives in affordable housing communities across America. With over 120 Resource Centers in 17 states and a team of 145+ dedicated professionals, we connect, engage, and empower more than 27,000 children, families, and seniors each year through four key initiatives:

• Economic Stability – Building pathways to financial independence
• Education for Youth & Families – Creating opportunities for lifelong learning
• Health & Wellness – Promoting healthy, thriving communities
• Community Building – Fostering connections that strengthen neighborhoods

We're not just providing services - we're creating tangible, life-changing impact in communities nationwide. See our success stories at www.project-access.org/success-stories.

The Opportunity:

Project Access is seeking a Vice President of Development to lead the next chapter of growth for our national fundraising operation. Working in close partnership with the CEO & President, the VP of Development will be responsible for achieving ambitious strategic fund development goals as our organization continues to expand, with a $1.8M annual fundraising target spanning corporate giving, grants, individual giving, special events, and campaigns.

This is an opportunity for a self-directed, strategic thinker who thrives operating independently and can move fluidly between big-picture vision and hands-on execution. You'll act as both a doer and a thought leader, driving measurable revenue growth across a diversified funding portfolio that includes an 80% fee-for-service model through developers and 20% traditional fundraising, within a $13M operating model.

In this role, you will lead a focused turnaround and growth strategy, prioritizing:

• Improving national gift opportunities and grant success rates
• Rebuilding momentum in corporate giving
• Reengaging lapsed donors
• Growing and developing the development department
• Reestablishing and strengthening our brand

If you're energized by the challenge of building something bigger, and want your strategic vision to directly shape the future of an organization making a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.

What you'll do

Lead & Develop Our Team

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of four direct reports: the Annual Giving Manager, Director of Community Relations, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Volunteer & Community Partnerships Manager
• In your first 30 days, assess the department's strengths and needs and build a scalable revenue infrastructure
• Foster a culture of accountability, trust, and continuous improvement through regular coaching and clear goal-setting
• Model collaborative leadership by working across departments and building strong partnerships with Operations, Programs, and Finance

Drive Revenue Growth

• Own strategic oversight of all revenue streams — individual gifts, events, foundation and government grants, corporate giving, CRA partnerships, planned giving, bequests, and endowments
• Develop and execute a donor roadmap, including a 90-day revenue recovery plan and a three-year growth strategy with defined milestones
• Segment and reengage lapsed donors, and pursue larger transformational gifts
• Build a major gifts program from the ground up, targeting 15-20 new major donors annually ($5K+ capacity)
• Launch a monthly giving program and reinstate our Planned Giving Program
• Create a donor recognition society with tiered recognition and exclusive cultivation events
• Support Board Give/Get fulfillment and cultivation, lead in-kind contribution strategy, and partner with our technology team to grow PA Connect app licensing and enterprise revenue
• Ensure our CRM and donor database are set up to support our success, and oversee giving history and statistical reporting

Overhaul Grant Strategy

• Shift toward fewer, higher-probability grant applications and build a 6-month grant pipeline
• Develop compelling, funder-specific case statements around affordable housing, digital equity, and resident services
• Prioritize multi-year grant commitments to build sustainable revenue

Rebuild Corporate Giving

• Design a year-round corporate engagement strategy with tiered partnership packages
• Audit existing relationships and re-engage lapsed or reduced corporate donors
• Grow the Adopt-A-Center program and secure event sponsorships

Elevate Our Brand

• Develop and execute a national brand and marketing strategy that positions Project Access as the leader in embedded resident services within affordable housing
• Oversee marketing and communications to ensure consistent, compelling storytelling across all 17 states
• Serve as a spokesperson and advocate, raising Project Access's public profile

Steward Our Donors

• Lead a year-round stewardship program focused on relationship-building, not transactional asks
• Lead our signature annual campaigns, including Spread the Joy, and develop event committees to secure sponsorships and attendees

Engage Our Board & Volunteers

• Equip and motivate the Board to identify, cultivate, and solicit donors, driving toward 100% Board giving participation
• Oversee volunteer strategy, ensuring volunteers are effectively recruited and deployed to support fundraising goals

Provide Strategic Leadership

• Translate organizational goals into actionable fundraising plans with clear accountability metrics
• Own key performance metrics: 75%+ donor retention, 25-30% grant success rate, 85%+ corporate renewal rate, and 4:1 minimum ROI on events
• Oversee development budget lines and participate in the annual budget process
• Collaborate on annual reports and donor-facing communications that showcase our impact

Who you are

Essential Experience

• 7-10 years of progressive professional fundraising experience with demonstrated success across grants, corporate, major gifts, and events
• 5+ years managing development teams, including marketing, communications, and/or volunteer functions
• Proven track record of personally securing six-figure gifts and managing a major gifts portfolio
• Experience developing grant strategies with measurable improvement in success rates
• Success building corporate partnership programs with multi-year commitments
• Experience building or significantly growing an individual giving program
• Experience operating in a collaborative development environment and leading high-performance teams

Key Strengths & Qualities

• Exceptional communicator: You write compelling grant proposals, craft inspiring solicitation letters, and deliver presentations that move donors to action
• Strategic thinker: You analyze data, identify patterns, and turn insights into actionable fundraising strategies
• Relationship builder: You function effectively with donors, volunteers, board members, and colleagues at all levels
• Self-directed leader: You exercise initiative, work independently, and keep stakeholders informed
• Team champion: You inspire staff and Board members alike to reach new levels of performance, building high-performing teams through coaching, mentorship, and by celebrating accomplishments

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with donor databases and CRM systems
• Experience managing external contractors and vendors, including event planners and freelance professionals
• Data-driven approach to analyzing donor files and fundraising performance

Preferred

• Experience working with nonprofits serving low-income populations, affordable housing, or social services
• Knowledge of planned giving programs

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, or related field
• Valid Driver's License with clean driving record and current automobile insurance
• Ability to pass background check

The details:

• Work location:Hybrid, based near our corporate office in Orange, CA — primarily remote, with the flexibility to come into the office as needed
• Work schedule: This is a full-time, exempt position; Monday through Friday and may include non-traditional hours (evenings and occasional weekends)
• Reports to: CEO & President
• Travel: Approximately 50% nationwide travel to meet and tour donors and funders, attend and participate in speaking engagements, and visit Project Access Resource Centers.
• Annual compensation: $145,000-$155,000, plus performance bonus. Placement within the salary range is determined by a combination of factors including experience, and qualifications.
• Benefits:
• • Health insurance, dental insurance, long-term disability, term life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Additionally, the following voluntary benefits are available at 100% employee cost: vision insurance, voluntary life insurance, pet insurance, and supplemental benefits.
  • Safe Harbor 401(k) with 4% company match.
  • Paid time off + 14 paid holidays

Project Access, Inc. is an at-will and equal opportunity employer, committed to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace. We value diversity in all its forms and actively seek to build a team that reflects the richness of our community. Our hiring practices are designed to identify and welcome talented individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, cultural background, religious beliefs or practices, gender identity or expression, relationship status, age, neurotype, physical or sensory abilities, sexual orientation, military service history, or any other aspect of their identity protected by law. We believe that a diverse team leads to better ideas, more innovative solutions, and a stronger community impact. Our goal is to foster an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives and skills.

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