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Director of Philanthropy Reports to:

Executive Director Supervises:

Development Coordinator Status:

Full-Time, Exempt Location:

Missoula, Montana; This is an in-office position and requires regular presence at Watson Children's Shelter and in the community.

Salary Range:

$70,000-$85,000, depending on experience Position Summary The Director of Philanthropy provides strategic leadership for Watson Children's Shelter's philanthropic efforts, with a primary focus on major gifts and building long-term relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and other philanthropic partners. Working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Development Coordinator, and program leadership, the Director of Philanthropy will grow sustainable philanthropic support for Watson's mission, programs, and future. This position will play a key role in strengthening Watson's culture of philanthropy and building the systems, relationships, and strategies needed to support the organization's continued growth. Key Responsibilities Major Gifts Portfolio

• Develop and manage a portfolio of major donors, including individuals, foundations, corporations, and other institutional funders.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new and existing philanthropic prospects.
• Develop individualized strategies to increase major gifts, donor retention, and overall individual giving.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board members on significant donor relationships, cultivation, and solicitations.
• Lead or oversee significant grant proposals and reports, with support from a contract grant writer, Development Coordinator, and program staff.
• Maintain accurate donor records and track cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activity. Leadership & Fundraising Strategy
• Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan aligned with Watson's strategic priorities and organizational growth.
• Establish and monitor fundraising goals, donor pipelines, and key performance indicators.
• Develop compelling cases for support, donor communications, and other materials that effectively communicate Watson's impact and opportunities.
• In partnership with the Executive Director and Finance team, support annual revenue projections and provide input on development-related expenses.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to strengthen a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
• Represent Watson professionally in the community and at donor, partner, and organizational events.
• Stay informed about philanthropic trends, opportunities, and best practices relevant to Watson and the Western Montana community. Development Operations & Team Leadership
• Supervise, support, and develop the Development Coordinator.
• Ensure development systems, donor records, stewardship practices, and fundraising processes are effective, organized, and scalable.
• Collaborate with Finance and other staff to ensure accurate gift processing, reporting, and reconciliation between Finance and the donor database.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction for selected fundraising events, with significant implementation support from the Development Coordinator and contractors or volunteers as appropriate.
• Evaluate development systems and processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and donor experience. Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five or more years of progressive nonprofit development or fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in major gifts and individual fundraising.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective fundraising strategies.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work effectively with donors, volunteers, board members, staff, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across an organization.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Watson Children's Shelter.

Preferred:

Experience soliciting and closing major gifts of $10,000 or more; foundation and corporate fundraising; planned giving; donor databases (Watson uses Bloomerang); and established relationships or knowledge of the philanthropic community in Missoula and Western Montana. Measures of Success Success in this role will include:

• Growth in individual and major gift revenue.
• A strong, actively managed donor and prospect pipeline.
• Increased donor engagement, retention, and giving levels.
• Strong and growing foundation and corporate relationships.
• Effective grant development and stewardship.
• A sustainable fundraising strategy aligned with Watson's organizational growth.
• Strong collaboration among the Executive Director, Board, and development team.
• Development systems and practices that are organized, effective, and scalable.

About Watson Children's Shelter Watson Children's Shelter provides safety, care, and support to children and families during times of crisis. For more than 50 years, Watson has served children in Western Montana by providing a safe place to heal while working to strengthen families and improve outcomes for children. Watson is poised for significant deepening of its impact as the organization expands services and strengthens its continuum of care. Current and emerging initiatives include expanded mental health services, individualized learning and enrichment opportunities, family support and respite services, and other efforts designed to address the complex needs of children and families. This is an exciting time to join Watson. The Director of Philanthropy will have the opportunity to help shape the organization's next chapter by building meaningful philanthropic partnerships and creating the financial foundation necessary for Watson to grow and deepen its impact. Benefits Watson Children's Shelter offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, retirement benefits, and other employee benefits. Specific benefits and eligibility will be reviewed with candidates during the hiring process.

Pay:

$70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person