Director of Development & Advancement

Location: Naperville, IL / Hybrid
Please send resumes and inquiries to: hiring@samaracarecounseling.org

SamaraCare is seeking a strategic, mission-driven Director of Development and Advancement to join our dedicated and collaborative team. We are looking for an experienced development professional who brings new ideas, a result-oriented mindset, initiative, and exceptional relationship -building skills to cultivate meaningful partnerships and expand philanthropic support. As part of our leadership team, you will be directly involved with strategic planning and implementation of initiatives, cultivate donor relations, grant writing, and drive special events and advancement efforts that increase funding and deepen community impact. Why join our team? As Director of Development and Advancement, your work will directly expand access to affordable life-changing mental health care!

Our Organization:

For 55 years, SamaraCare has been committed to offering affordable access to quality mental health counseling, psychiatric and autism services for individuals, couples, and families. Our holistic approach considers the emotional, physical, spiritual, and relational aspects of our client’s lives.

Additionally, SamaraCare is uniquely qualified to offer spiritually integrated services across many faith traditions and life perspectives for clients interested in this option. Today, SamaraCare works with diverse populations across the lifespan from varied financial means. Through our Mental Health Access Program, we offer reduced cost care to the uninsured, underinsured and those facing financial hardship. Our customized educational and wellness programs foster greater community understanding while reducing the stigma associated with mental health. To learn more about our organization and the various programs we offer, visit us at www.samaracarecounseling.org.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Development and Advancement will play a critical role in growing SamaraCare’s annual philanthropic revenue, directly expanding access to affordable, high-quality mental health services. This position provides leadership across all areas of fundraising, including major gifts, institutional and congregational giving, donor stewardship, special events, and planned giving.

Job Location: Central Naperville, IL
Hours: Occasional evening and weekend hours required
Compensation: $90,000-$95,000 annually commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Paid time off including:
  • Vacation
  • Sick days
  • Personal days
  • Paid holidays
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 403 (b) retirement plan

Responsibilities:

Strategic Fundraising & Major Gifts

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy to grow annual contributed
  revenue through diversified funding streams.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts from individual donors, foundations, congregations, and
  community partners.
• Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to identify and engage high-capacity donors and expand
  philanthropic relationships.
• Build meaningful donor engagement strategies that deepen connection to SamaraCare’s mission and
  inspire long-term investment and loyalty.
• Monitor fundraising performance metrics and identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and
  expanded community support.

Grants & Institutional Giving

• Manage the full lifecycle of institutional giving, including prospect research, grant proposal submission,
  reporting, and stewardship.
• Write compelling, mission-driven grant proposals and reports for foundations, corporations, and
  government agencies.
• Ensure timely completion of all grant deliverables and reporting requirements in collaboration with
  finance and program staff.
• Maintain accurate fundraising and grants management data, including application tracking, donor
  records, program outcomes, and demographic reporting.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Strengthen and expand relationships with congregations, faith leaders, referral partners, and community
  organizations across the service area.
• Serve as a visible and passionate ambassador for SamaraCare at community events, speaking
  engagements, and partnership initiatives.
• Advance inclusive, relationship-centered engagement that reflects the organization’s values and
  commitment to serving diverse communities.

Campaigns, Events & Donor Communications

• Partner with the Director of Communications to design and execute annual giving campaigns, donor
  appeals, and digital fundraising strategies.
• Lead the planning and execution of impactful fundraising events and donor engagement experiences.
• Ensure consistent and compelling messaging across all fundraising communications and materials in
  collaboration with the Director of Communications.
• Oversee timely donor acknowledgment, stewardship communications, and recognition efforts to enhance
  donor retention and engagement.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Equip and support Board members in fundraising activities, donor cultivation, and ambassador
  engagement.
• Collaborate closely with leadership, communications, finance, and program teams to align fundraising priorities with organizational goals.
• Contribute strategic insight as an active member of the organization’s leadership team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree a plus
• 5+ years of progressive experience within nonprofit development with demonstrated ability to increase revenue
• 5+ years of experience in major gift cultivation, and donor stewardship
• Proficiency with donor management systems; Donor Perfect a plus
• Knowledge and Skills
• Commitment to SamaraCare’s mission
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Application process

• If you are a mission driven fundraising professional with a passion for ensuring affordable access to mental health services, we want to hear from you! Please submit a resume and cover letter sharing your interest in the role and how your background and experience make you uniquely qualified for this position.
• SamaraCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• AI may have been used during the recruiting process. See (link) to learn how

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