Community Development Director Jobs in Mount Vernon, WA

Youthnet is a nonprofit agency committed to serving children, youth, and families across Western Washington. Our programs focus on supporting youth and families involved with or at risk of involvement in our state foster care system. Ultimately, we are working together to create opportunities for healing from the past and promoting hope for the future. 

Mission: Youthnet partners with young people and their families navigating systems of care, providing support that fosters hope, belonging, and the confidence to shape their own future.

Vision: Connected families, empowered youth, flourishing communities.

At Youthnet, we value:

• Empowerment We uplift young people and families through collaboration and advocacy. 
• Belonging We prioritize relationships, inclusiveness, and community in all of our work. We recognize that every individual needs authentic connection to flourish. 
• Hope We know people provided with dignity, respect, and encouragement will create a future they believe in. 
• Accountability We create an environment that nurtures integrity, transparency, and ongoing learning for ourselves and those we have the privilege to serve. 

As our organization continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced and mission-driven Director of Resource Development & Marketing to join our leadership team based out of Mount Vernon, Washington. This is an exciting opportunity to establish and lead our philanthropy function, evaluate and oversee our current contractor partnerships, and build a long-term, comprehensive development program aligned with our strategic vision.

The Director of Resource Development & Marketing is a full-time, hybrid role based out of our Mount Vernon, WA office. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this newly created executive leadership position represents a pivotal opportunity to build, shape, and lead the future of resource development and philanthropy at Youthnet.

Currently, Youthnet does not have an internal development team. The Director will serve as the primary point of contact for our current contracted fundraising and grant writing partners. In this role, you will assess the ongoing effectiveness of our contractor relationships and strategically determine the optimal long-term structure to support Youthnet’s philanthropic growth.

Additionally, the Director will create and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan that directly advances Youthnet's mission and strategic priorities across Western Washington. Key responsibilities include diversifying revenue beyond state contracts, cultivating major gifts, managing foundation grant partnerships, overseeing external brand identity, and guiding the quiet phase and community engagement planning for our evolving Strategic Campaign initiative in support of our newly established strategic plan.

• Design and execute a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising plan that directly aligns with and supports Youthnet’s Strategic Plan and organizational mission across Western Washington.
• Build and manage a personal portfolio of 50 - 75 major donors and prospects, cultivating and soliciting major individual and corporate gifts ($2,500 to $50,000+).
• Build a structured donor retention and conversion pipeline to transition annual appeal and event givers into monthly recurring supporters.
• Partner with the ED and Board of Directors on executive donor cultivation and lead gift solicitations.
• Build a framework for multi-decade organizational sustainability through endowments, planned giving, and diversified revenue streams 

• Lead the planning, initiation, and execution of Youthnet's prospective Strategic Campaign.
• Work closely with executive leadership to incorporate community feedback and stakeholder engagement to shape the vision and scope of the proposed "Community Hub" and Closet, adapting campaign strategy as program needs evolve.
• Review current resources and develop adaptable campaign collateral, case statements, gift pyramids, and naming opportunities in partnership with executive leadership.
• Identify, research, and engage regional family foundations and high-net-worth philanthropists across Western Washington for alignment with strategic plan projects.

• Manage contracted development team (Collective Impact)
  • Serve as the primary staff point of contact and manager for Youthnet’s contracted development firm, Collective Impact. 
  • Direct contractor priorities, monitor performance metrics, and regularly assess the efficacy of contractor services to help guide future development staffing strategy.
• Grant Lifecycle & Program Collaboration:
  • Oversee end-to-end grant management, including pipeline development, strategy, proposal submission, and reporting.
  • Collaborate closely with program leadership and finance teams to source accurate program data and fulfill grantor reporting requirements. 
• Signature Event Leadership (Legacy of Caring):
  • Lead the strategic planning, sponsorship solicitation, marketing, and execution of Youthnet's annual Legacy of Caring event.
  • Partner with Collective Impact and board members to expand event attendance, corporate sponsorship, and major donor engagement.
• Diversify foundation funding with a focus on securing multi-year general operating and program-restricted grants.
• Maintain relationships with existing grantors while building new foundation pipelines across regional service areas.

• Guide Youthnet’s brand, PR, and external communications strategy across digital media, email, print, and local press to elevate visibility throughout Western Washington.
• Ensure all external marketing aligns with Youthnet’s core values and strategic pillars:
  • Values: Empowerment, Belonging, Hope, and Accountability.
  • Strategic Pillars: Clearing the Path, Hope-Centered Approach, Building Community Together, and Guided by Expertise.
• Lead all direct event-related outreach, marketing campaigns, and corporate sponsorship solicitations for annual signature events.

• Serve as the primary staff support to the newly forming Board Fundraising Committee, equipping members with training, tools, and donor contact strategies.
• Maintain CRM database integrity, gift acknowledgments, and donor records.
• Collaborate with the Finance department on monthly revenue reconciliation, grant reporting, and budget forecasting.

• Experience: 5 - 7+ years of progressive fundraising and communications leadership in a nonprofit setting, with a proven track record in major gift cultivation, donor retention, and strategic development.
• Capital Campaign & Planning Experience: Direct experience participating in or leading quiet phases of capital campaigns, with flexibility to adapt strategy based on community engagement input.
• Grants Management: Experience managing full grant life-cycle and overseeing grant writers or contractors and navigating institutional funder relationships.
• Communications & Storytelling: Exceptional written, verbal, and public presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex human services programs into compelling donor opportunities.
• Regional Knowledge: Deep familiarity with the philanthropic landscape across Western Washington (including Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce,  and surrounding counties).

In the first 12 months, the Director will focus on evaluating existing systems, integrating with contractors, engaging the community to inform strategic initiatives, and establishing baseline donor growth. 

• Strategic Fundraising & Campaign Roadmap:
  • Finalize and launch a comprehensive multi-year fundraising plan aligned with Youthnet’s Strategic Plan across Western Washington.
  • Lead the initial community engagement process to define the scope and feasibility of the prospective Special Campaign Initiative (Community Hub/Closet).
• Contractor & Operations Assessment:
  • Assume primary oversight of the contracted development firm (Collective Impact), evaluating performance, deliverables, and ROI to inform long-term staffing and operational strategy.
  • Review and optimize CRM donor data, gift acknowledgment processes, and grant tracking systems.
• Operating Revenue & Donor Retention:
  • Maintain annual operating support in the $150,000 - $180,000 range, prioritizing individual donor stewardship and annual appeal conversion.
  • Expand monthly recurring giving baseline by 25% - 30% (setting up long-term pipeline growth).
• Signature Event & Grant Pipeline Execution:
  • Successfully direct the planning and execution of the annual Legacy of Caring event in partnership with Collective Impact.
  • Oversee the grant pipeline to maintain existing foundation support while identifying top regional multi-year funding prospects.

With infrastructure, contractor evaluations, and strategic plans established in Year 1, Year 2 focuses on scaling revenue streams, launching campaign phases, and executing long-term staffing decisions. 

• Campaign Activation:
  • Transition the Special Campaign Initiative into its active quiet phase, securing 20% - 30% of the target goal ($1.5M - $2.0M) in lead gifts and institutional commitments.
• Philanthropic Team & Staffing Model Execution:
  • Implement the strategic recommendations from the Year 1 contractor assessment (e.g., transitioning specific roles in-house, expanding contractor scope, or building a hybrid development team).
• Sustainable Revenue Expansion:
  • Achieve $180,000+ in annual operating support through expanded major gift solicitation and corporate partnerships across Western Washington.
  • Double the monthly recurring giving baseline established prior to Year 1.
• Multi-Year Institutional Support:
  • Secure at least 2 new multi-year foundation grant commitments to build recurring program revenue and reduce single-year grant reliance.

This is a hybrid position involving both office-based and remote work, with travel between organizational locations as needed. The role requires the ability to lift and move computer equipment weighing up to 40 pounds and perform routine equipment setup as well as event set-up and breakdown.

Youthnet offers a professional, caring, and fun work environment where our team members feel supported and inspired. Our culture values collaboration, personal growth, and the meaningful impact of our work. Whether you're in the field or behind the scenes, you'll be part of a team that’s passionate about making a difference and enjoys doing it together. We provide the following benefits to ensure our employees can thrive:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance options for 30 hour+/week employees and their dependents
• Employee Assistance Program for benefit-eligible employees and a partnership with WorkLife to support all team members and their families
• Generous time off policies beginning at 27 days per year of PTO and 12 paid holidays
• 403(b) retirement with 3% match after eligibility
• Career development opportunities
• A supportive mission-aligned team environment

Youthnet provides equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis protected by state or federal law.