Mission investment and community engagement director

More about us

Relay Resources is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, OR, that employs more than 700 people, the majority of whom are people with disabilities. We cultivate meaningful work through services we provide to business and government customers, which include janitorial, landscaping, document services, and supply chain solutions. We also own and manage more than 900 units of affordable housing. We create value for our community by delivering quality services to our customers, good jobs to our employees, and affordable homes to our residents.

Equal Opportunity

Relay Resources is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and we welcome everyone to our team/to apply. We are committed to a people-first, inclusive culture that benefits our employees, customers, and residents. Relay encourages a diversity of applicants of all backgrounds and identities including disability, race, color, religion, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, military service, marital status, parental status, age, and individuals with a Preferred Worker Card. Let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, or to perform the job you are applying for.

Be the first to know about job openings! Sign up for our weekly job openings newsletter. Relay Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to create a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture and believes each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor the organization to adjust the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors. Disabled people / people with disabilities and neurodivergent people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Relay Core Competencies

• Focus on Strengths
• Prioritize Informed Action
• Communicate Clearly
• Champion Disability Inclusion
• Build Supportive Relationships

People are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to cultivate meaningful work for people with disabilities. We encourage those with a disability, a Preferred Worker Card, or other barriers to employment to apply.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Generation

Develop and implement multi-year fundraising strategies to meet or exceed annual revenue goals through the fund development channels. Lead the planning and execution of special fundraising campaigns (e.g., capital or program campaigns). Support execution of prospect research, donor acquisition, investment opportunities, retention, and stewardship activities. Build and manage a portfolio of major donors, investors, and prospects. Analyze fundraising performance using data-driven approaches; report on progress to senior leadership. Develop a fundraising tech stack to manage fundraising pipeline. Detail any additional steps or processes involved.

Community Engagement

Lead the team in planning and executing in-person and virtual outreach and education events to advance mission visibility and community relationships. Build, maintain, and deepen relationships with donors, fostering long-term engagement and stewardship. Cultivate and manage relationships with sponsors to secure and sustain sponsorship support. Develop and maintain strong connections with granting organizations (government, corporate, and community-based) and explore opportunities for non-foundation grant writing. Collaborate cross-departmentally to sustain momentum in community engagement and outreach initiatives.

Leadership & Team Management

Co-Design roles, and staffing plan for development function, partnering with the VP, Disability Inclusion and Human Resources to define job scopes and build the team. Supervise, coach, and support a team of philanthropy/development professionals, ensuring high performance and professional growth. Foster a collaborative, impact-focused culture within the fundraising team and across the organization. Provide ongoing training and mentorship to staff on best practices in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Board & Executive Collaboration

Work closely with the VP, Disability Inclusion, executive team, and board to set fundraising goals, align strategies, and engage in donor relations. Support board members in their fundraising efforts through training, materials, and joint donor visits.

Donor Relations & Stewardship

Cultivate and sustain meaningful relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation donors. Guide and support execution of personalized donor engagement and recognition plans to enhance retention and deepen commitment. Represent the organization at public events, donor meetings, and community gatherings.

Budget & Compliance

Develop and manage the philanthropy department budget; ensure efficient use of resources. Maintain accountability and compliance with all donor intent, regulatory requirements, and ethical standards. Lead the development of the annual impact report for the Organization, from data aggregation to storytelling, as well as independent donor reports. Lead the development of the annual impact report for Other duties as assigned. Note any additional responsibilities expected to be fulfilled as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum 7-10 years of progressive fundraising leadership experience, preferably in a complex nonprofit organization with significant major gifts activity. Demonstrated success in securing and stewarding six- and seven-figure gifts. Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire high-performing team. Strong strategic planning, analytical, and financial management skills. Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and public speaking abilities. Deep commitment to the organization’s mission and values.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree; CFRE, advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Extensive knowledge of nonprofit fundraising strategies, donor cultivation, stewardship, corporate partnerships, and revenue generation. Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic fundraising initiatives while building organizational systems and processes from the ground up. Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and influencing skills with the ability to engage donors, board members, community partners, and executive leadership. Strong leadership, coaching, and talent development skills with the ability to build, mentor, and inspire high-performing teams. Ability to analyze data, manage budgets, and use performance metrics to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement. Ability to manage complexity, adapt to changing priorities, exercise sound judgment with integrity, and advance the organization's mission through innovation and collaboration.

SCOPE & ACCOUNTABILITY

Accountable for developing and executing Relay Resources' fundraising strategy to achieve annual and long-term contributed revenue goals. Builds and leads the organization's fund development function, including strategy, systems, processes, and team development. Partners with executive leadership and the Board of Directors to cultivate strategic donor, sponsor, and community relationships that advance the organization's mission. Oversees department budget, fundraising performance, and compliance with ethical fundraising standards and donor stewardship practices.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Directly supervises members of the Fund Development team and is responsible for hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, employee development, and succession planning. Builds and scales the Fund Development function by partnering with leadership and Human Resources to define roles, recruit talent, and develop a high-performing team. Fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team culture aligned with Relay Resources' mission, values, and organizational goals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Office atmosphere. Sitting for extended periods of time. Using a variety of office equipment. Moderate noise level.