Director of Development

REACH Beyond Domestic Violence (REACH)—a nonprofit organization committed to creating healthy and safe relationships for individuals and communities by ending domestic violence—is searching for a seasoned and compassionate leader to serve as its Director of Development (Director), championing its mission and providing strategic direction and leadership for all fundraising and stewardship activities. This is a compelling opportunity for an entrepreneurial chief development officer to craft and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy for REACH and, in doing so, have transformative impact on the lives of individual domestic violence survivors and diverse communities, as well as the futures of those whose relationships are strengthened by REACH’s prevention work. This leader will join REACH during an exciting moment of strategic refinement as the organization launches a new strategic plan that will deepen community engagement and provide inspiring partnership and investment opportunities for prospective donors. This hands-on position is ideal for an experienced development leader who can quickly strengthen systems and support staff and leadership with a mission-centered, trauma-informed approach.

REACH—which stands for Refuge, Education, Advocacy, Change, and Hope—is a nonprofit organization providing survivors of domestic violence with safety, shelter, and a path to healing. For nearly 45 years, REACH has empowered individuals, families, and communities to overcome domestic violence and increase healthy relationships, while engaging communities to create lasting change. To do so, they center the voices of survivors as a core part of their mission, ensuring the work is grounded in the client’s resilience, insight, and leadership. Through comprehensive support services, innovative prevention and education programs, and policy advocacy, they break the cycle of abuse and promote lasting change. REACH’s work is rooted in equity and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves to live free from fear and violence. The organization is inclusive of all survivors, including women, men, children, and the LGBTQ+ community, and has no income or other requirements to access services, apart from being a survivor of domestic violence. Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, it serves over 6,000 people in 27 cities and towns in Boston’s western suburbs through resources including a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, support groups, legal advocacy, specialized children and family services, community-based survivor advocacy programs, and prevention programs including community education and training.

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a key part of REACH’s executive team, the Director of Development will provide leadership for the full portfolio of fundraising operations, ensuring that all development efforts reflect and uplift REACH’s values and mission. They will grow and diversify REACH’s revenue streams by strengthening ties with existing supporters, developing sophisticated and effective approaches to identify new individual and institutional donors, and broadening the organization’s overall outreach efforts. The Director will collaborate closely with the Executive Director, board, and key stakeholders to assess and define the strategic direction of the development function and create a comprehensive development program.

This leader will launch systematic initiatives to identify and cultivate a strong pipeline of donors and work to enhance public awareness, strengthening relationships and partnerships to benefit REACH philanthropically. Importantly, this person will bring experience building connection with and support from non-affinity donors. The Director must be a strong fundraising operator who can build and lead sustainable fundraising efforts in a resource-conscious environment, accounting for the organization’s current operations, quickly pivoting in response to exogenous shocks of the current political context, and relentlessly working towards the organization’s future state.

The successful candidate will be able to inspiringly convey the mission and critical impacts of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, and will be skilled at building genuine relationships with individuals and communities of all backgrounds. REACH takes a trauma-informed approach and strives to incorporate its core commitment to belonging, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (BJEDI) throughout the organization; given the nature of this work, the Director must be able to engage skillfully with complex, sometimes challenging or painful topics. REACH is committed to recruiting candidates from historically underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds and identities, as well as individuals who embrace the values, practices, and outcomes of BJEDI personally and professionally. Successful candidates will possess maturity and strong emotional intelligence, dedication to forward momentum, and strong professional boundaries, alongside deep fundraising expertise. This is an incredible opportunity to help the most vulnerable in our communities live free from fear and violence.

COMPENSATION AND LOCATION

The compensation range for this position is set at $125,000 - $150,000.

REACH’s office is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, and this leader must live within a commutable distance to the office. This can be a hybrid position, and REACH acknowledges the need for the Director of Development to spend time outside of the office cultivating and stewarding donors. REACH uses a “catch-up Friday” model with no internal meetings on Friday to support deeper work. Some weekend or evening work may be required.

APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Confidential inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications (including resumes and two- to three-page letters of interest responding to the opportunities and challenges outlined above) should be sent below.

Kennedy Kearney-Fischer is leading this search with Angelo Alexander and Rachel Banderob. 

REACH is an equal opportunity employer and provides an inclusive work environment.