Job Title: Director of Development

Organization: C.R.O.P.S. (Communities Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces)

Focus Area: Food Security

Location: Atlantic City, NJ

Reports To: Executive Director

Specifics:

Full-time
Exempt
Salary range: $65,000-70,000, depending upon experience and proven track record
Benefits: 401K, PTO + Sick Time, Paid Holidays, Health Benefit Reimbursement, Organization Sponsored Certifications
Hybrid/in-person schedule, with seasonal changes
Evening/weekend scheduling as assigned
Travel expectations (local South Jersey)
Start date range - March 2026

Applications:
Email to admin@cropsnj.org

• Resume
• 2 professional references with email addresses and phone numbers
• Within the body of the email, please share an overview of your work including your top 3-5 instances of successful fundraising projects/campaigns

Position Summary

This is a leadership role, which exists to grow and stabilize C.R.O.P.S.’s funding so our programs can expand across South Jersey without financial uncertainty. The Director of Development leads fundraising strategy, builds strong donor relationships, and ensures grants and reporting are managed with excellence and integrity. This leadership position focuses on building sustainable fundraising infrastructure and helping to plan for the future, in addition to generating annual revenue.

• Is the department lead for Development and oversees all fundraising aspects of the organization.
• Always supervises the Marketing Associate, and supervises Program Facilitators as assigned.
• Works collaboratively with: Director of Operations & Operations Manager
• Works closely with: Executive Director, Board of Trustees, Development Committee and temporary grant funded Grant Navigator to solicit grants and major gifts with respect to the current and future relationships with funders and donors. Donor relationship decisions and solicitations go through the Executive Director, always.

The role’s key responsibilities and time:

1. Fundraising & Donor strategy: 40%

• Annual development plan
• Donor strategy including prospecting, stewardship and retention for major donors, monthly donors, corporate giving programs. This leadership position will effectively retain current donor and funder relationships while increasing the number donors and funders the organization works with.
• Sponsorship development and management
• Board fundraising support: oversees functions of the Development Committee
• Campaign planning + execution
• Donor communications plan (thank-yous, updates, recognition)
• Donor meetings, tours and relationship building
• Monitor, support and strengthen volunteer-to-donor pathways
• Support cross-functional priorities during key events and seasonal program needs

2. Marketing/Communications: 20%

• Partner with our marketing vendor and internal team to ensure donor-facing messaging is consistent and compelling
• Provide content direction and donor-centered storytelling for newsletters (in collaboration with marketing support)
• Support visibility initiatives that strengthen donor trust and credibility
• Co-manage organization's brand guidelines
• Attend outreach events as assigned

3. Grants Manager/Compliance: 40%

• The Director of Development will enter this position while the organization has the support of a grant funded Grant Navigator through the end of 2026. That Navigator is an external service provider who provides grant prospecting, sponsorship solicitation, grant writing services and a comprehensive grant calendar. The DOD will attend weekly meetings with the Executive Director and Grant Navigator to understand the scope of grant writing the organization currently engages in and will use this opportunity to develop a plan that can continue that level of solicitation after the organization concludes the partnership with the Grant Navigator program. This service will provide support in maximizing the grant strategy for the organization in future years.
• Grant pipeline management
• Proposal writing in collaboration with and with approval from the Executive Director
• Grant reporting + compliance tracking
• Funders meetings, presentations and relationship management

Key Outcomes (First 6–12 Months)

• The organization’s current revenue is $900,000+. The Director of Development will be responsible for building and executing an annual development plan that generates $500,000+ in contributed revenue
• Working with the current donor base of 25 members, the Director of Development will increase monthly donors by 50%
• It is crucial for the Director of Development to maintain a strong, strategic grant pipeline.
• As a baseline, the organization currently submits an estimated 3-6 grants per month, keeping in mind the size and time commitment of the applications. The DOD will maintain strong tracking and reporting systems for all grant and funding agreements.
• Deliver a successful Farm to Fork fundraiser raising $65,000 minimum (with 95% raised pre-event). The Director of Development generates a strong sponsorship strategy and logistics plan for this fundraiser and then collaborates with the Executive Director and Development Committee to implement those plans to ensure a successful annual event.
• Strengthen donor communications so donors know that they are valued, feel informed, and feel connected to impact

This role is for you if:

• You love building relationships and turning trust into long-term support
• You can balance heart and numbers (mission + metrics)
• You’re organized and calm with deadlines, reporting, and moving parts
• You know how to activate a Board without making it awkward
• You can write and communicate in a way that makes people feel something

Professionalism and Boundaries

• Maintain respectful boundaries, confidentiality, and professionalism when working with coworkers, participants and partners

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years nonprofit fundraising/development experience
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts, sponsorships, and/or grants
• Strong writing skills (donor appeals + grant proposals)
• CRM/donor database experience
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and reporting requirements. Strong time
• management skills and meeting deadlines are requirements.
• Comfort presenting to board members, funders, and community partners
• Able to pass a background check
• Proficiency with tools and systems: (Google Workspace & Virtual Meeting Platforms, CRM/donor database, Grant tracking/reporting tools)
• Basic comfort with project management systems (Asana/Trello/etc.)
• Valid drivers license

Preferred

• Knowledge of South Jersey and tri-State philanthropic landscape
• Experience with food systems, community development, or public health
• Event fundraising experience (sponsorships + auctions)

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to work on-site and travel to events as assigned
• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• Occasional lifting (40 lbs) and hands-on support
• Some early mornings, evenings, or weekends may be required
• Must be comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions (seasonal)
• All responsibilities and duties are subject to change at any time