Director of Development

The Opportunity
Aleph seeks a Development Director to build and lead a structured, sustainable fundraising program from a strong existing foundation of loyal donors and a newly clarified organizational identity. This is a builder’s role. The right candidate is a self-starter who thrives in a small, collaborative team, brings an entrepreneurial spirit to creating systems where they don’t yet exist, and is energized by both the strategy and the hands-on work of fundraising.

The Development Director partners closely with the Executive Director on major donor strategy and solicitation, works with the Director of Marketing and Communications to translate Aleph’s new brand into compelling donor messaging, and staffs the board’s development efforts. This position is ideal for a rising development professional ready to own a full program and grow with the organization.

Responsibilities
Program Strategy and Structure

Design and implement a structured annual development program with a written calendar of appeals, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
Establish and track fundraising goals, analyze giving data and donor trends, and report regularly on performance to the Executive Director and board.
Conduct prospect research, including RFM analysis of the donor database and relationship mapping with board and stakeholder input.
Major and Individual Giving

Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects; personally cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts, and partner with the Executive Director on the largest asks and multi-year commitments.
Partner with the Executive Director on a regular cultivation and solicitation schedule for top donors and prospects.
Cultivate seminary alumni as a distinct donor community, including relationship-building, exploring reinstated giving, and generational engagement strategies.
Develop high-touch engagement strategies for major donors, including personalized stewardship, impact reporting, and meaningful recognition.
Annual Giving and Appeals

Plan, write, and execute direct mail campaigns and a coordinated calendar of digital fundraising appeals.
Build, grow, and steward a monthly and recurring giving program, including retention touchpoints and stewardship for existing sustainers.
Develop a strategy for cultivating Aleph’s affiliated communities as direct institutional donors, distinct from individual and major gift outreach.
Segment and tailor messaging for Aleph’s distinct audiences, including seminary alumni, affiliated communities, and the broader Jewish community.
Legacy and Planned Giving

Launch and grow a legacy giving program, including a named Legacy Circle, donor testimonials, and board and donor-facing legacy campaigns.
Institutional Giving

Manage foundation relationships, including prospect research, letters of inquiry, proposals, reporting, and funder stewardship.
Maintain a foundation outreach timeline and tracking system to ensure no deadline or stewardship touchpoint is missed.
Events and Sponsorships

Design and execute donor stewardship and cultivation events, including gatherings connected to Aleph’s signature convenings and parlor meetings hosted by board members and leaders.
Secure event sponsorships, including sponsorship invitations, naming opportunities, and sponsor recognition.
Board and Organizational Partnership

Staff the board’s Development Committee and support board members as active fundraisers and ambassadors.
Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Communications on the case for support, donor-friendly messaging, and brand-aligned fundraising materials.
Help build a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
Systems and Operations

Own the donor database and CRM, including data hygiene, segmentation, and reporting.
Manage timely, personal donor acknowledgements and receipting.
Qualifications
No one candidate will bring every quality below. If you see yourself in most of them, we encourage you to apply.

5 to 7 years of nonprofit fundraising experience with a track record of achieving and exceeding goals, including success securing large dollar gifts and multi-year commitments
Self-motivated and able to work independently in a remote environment, while collaborating closely with colleagues and leadership
A self-starter and builder: comfortable creating structure, systems, and plans where none exist, and following through without close supervision
Excellent writing and interpersonal skills, with warmth and authenticity in donor relationships
Familiarity with the Jewish philanthropic landscape strongly preferred; resonance with Jewish Renewal’s values and openness to its trans-denominational, spiritually grounded approach is essential
Entrepreneurial mindset suited to a small team, where responsibilities are broad and hands-on work is the norm
Experience across multiple fundraising channels: major gifts, direct mail, digital appeals, events, and grants
Strong data instincts: comfort with CRM systems, donor analytics, and using data to guide strategy
Willingness to travel occasionally and work some evenings and weekends, including Aleph’s signature gatherings