Director of Development

Kids Win Missouri is actively seeking a grants-focused development leader who will own a $2.7 million institutional fundraising portfolio and support the administration of the organization’s public funding, with the opportunity to build out our broader development capacity over time. As a key member of our senior management team, the Director of Development will work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to drive our fundraising efforts, playing a crucial part in achieving our organization’s goals and delivering impact for children and families across the state. 

About Kids Win Missouri

Kids Win Missouri is a non-partisan, statewide coalition representing child well-being practitioners, advocates, and parents spanning early childhood development, education, health, child safety, and economic security. Founded in 2013 as the Missouri Children's Leadership Council and rebranded in 2017, the organization has spent over a decade building a reputation as a respected and influential voice on policies impacting children and families in Missouri. Its advocacy has contributed to the creation of the state Office of Childhood, securing hundreds of millions in new state funding for child care and early education, expanding access to health coverage for Missouri families, and securing legal funding for kinship caregivers. In recent years, Kids Win Missouri has expanded beyond policy and advocacy into broader systems-building work, including support for the statewide Child Care and Early Education Community Planning Initiative and the launch of Child Care Works, an innovative cost-sharing program that facilitates the sharing of child care costs among families, employers, the public sector, and philanthropy. An Executive Director and an active Board of Directors lead the organization.

About the Position

The Director of Development position at Kids Win Missouri is a full-time, permanent, core-funded role that comes with a comprehensive benefits package, including paid vacation, sick days, and health and retirement benefits. The annual salary for this position ranges from $80,000 to $100,000. We offer flexibility in terms of location, with the Director of Development able to work remotely from anywhere in Missouri. 

The position requires regular overnight travel in Missouri throughout the year and may require occasional out-of-state travel. As travel is required for the position, the selected individual is expected to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. The physical demands of the position are typically those of a standard office environment, but also include working from non-office locations. The position reports to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities

Grants & Institutional Giving (Primary Focus)

• Manage the full grant lifecycle, including prospect research, proposal writing, budgeting, submission, and reporting for foundation, corporate, and public funders, including a grants calendar to track deadlines and renewal cycles

• Support the pursuit of new public funding opportunities and manage compliance and reporting on existing public grants, including invoicing coordination and communication with agency contract managers

• Build and steward relationships with program officers and funders, identifying new institutional prospects aligned with organizational priorities

• Draft compelling case statements and funder-facing materials that translate program and policy work into fundable narratives

Individual Giving & Donor Stewardship

• Support a modest individual giving program (annual appeal, limited donor cultivation) and assist the Executive Director in prepping for and following up on major gift conversations

• Maintain accurate funder/donor records in the CRM and produce timely impact reports and acknowledgments for institutional funders/donors

• Support fundraising events or campaigns as needed

Board Partnership & Operations

• Provide the Executive Director and board fundraising committee with regular pipeline updates, funding forecasts, and grant status reports, and support board member engagement in development activities

• Manage the grants tracking system and monitor revenue against budget, particularly the restricted vs. unrestricted funding mix

• Other duties as appropriate 

Desired Qualifications

• 5+ years of grant writing/management experience; nonprofit development experience with a focus on institutional funders preferred

• Demonstrated success in securing and managing foundation, corporate, or public sector grants of $100,000+

• Experience managing government grants or contracts, including compliance and reporting requirements, strongly preferred

• Strong writing skills with the ability to translate program impact into compelling funder narratives

• Experience with CRM/donor database systems

• Familiarity with nonprofit financial management, including restricted fund tracking, a plus 

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a cover letter, writing sample (grant proposal excerpt or case statement, 2-3 pages, redacted as needed), and resume to Abigail Walden at awalden@kidswinmissouri.org with the subject line “Director of Development.” All inquiries and materials will be confidential. Applications will be acknowledged. 

Kids Win Missouri is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious or political affiliation, disability, veteran status, or any other classification considered discriminatory under applicable law. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture.