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Resource Development Specialist – H.E.A.R.T.S. Organization

Title: Resource Development Specialist

Location: Durham, NC (H.E.A.R.T.S. Office)

Employment: Full-Time, In-person required

Salary Range: $50,000 - $60,000

Do you believe in the power of partnership, equity, and opportunity to transform lives? Are you passionate about building relationships, driving impact, and serving your community with purpose and heart?

H.E.A.R.T.S. (Helping Each Adolescent Reach Their Spark) is seeking a Resource Development Specialist to serve as our lead storyteller and growth strategist. This role is the heartbeat of our organization’s sustainability, functioning as a high-level grant writer, fundraiser, and lead for donor/customer acquisition. You will be responsible for identifying new revenue streams and cultivating the partnerships necessary to fuel our mission-driven work in Durham County.

H.E.A.R.T.S. Organizational Summary

Founded to support young parents and families in Durham County, H.E.A.R.T.S. is rooted in youth advocacy, Black Maternal health, and life skills development. We believe that every young person deserves access to resources, support, and opportunities that help them thrive. Through advocacy, education, and direct services, we empower families to build stable, fulfilling lives.

Position Summary

This role focuses on grant writing, donor engagement, fundraising campaigns, and partnership development to ensure long term sustainable growth and impact. This is a role for a closer—someone who can research a prospect, write a compelling case for support, and "close the deal" to secure the resources our families need. You will oversee the lifecycle of donor engagement, from first-touch acquisition to long-term stewardship. This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic, mission-driven team that values collaboration, accountability, and inclusiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Grant Writing & Revenue Growth

• Lead Grant Strategist: Research, identify, and aggressively pursue new funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government entities.

• Compelling Storytelling: Write and submit high-impact grant proposals and reports that clearly articulate H.E.A.R.T.S.’ ROI and community impact.

• Acquisition Strategy: Execute a "customer acquisition" model to identify and convert new individual and corporate donors into long-term partners.

• Portfolio Management: Manage the full development calendar to ensure consistent revenue flow and 100% compliance with reporting.

Partnership & Relationship Management

• Cultivate leads with foundations and individual donors to build a robust pipeline of support.

• Represent H.E.A.R.T.S. at community events and networking opportunities to increase brand visibility and attract new supporters.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Board to align fundraising targets with program expansion.

Communications & Outreach

• Create development-focused content for newsletters and social media that drives donor conversion.

• Design and execute annual appeals and digital fundraising campaigns focused on expanding our donor base.

• Plan and execute high-touch donor appreciation activities to improve retention.

Data & Reporting

• Monitor acquisition and retention metrics to evaluate the success of development strategies.

• Maintain the donor database (Aplos) with 98% accuracy to ensure data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Business, or related field.

• Experience: 3+ years of proven experience in high-volume grant writing and successful fundraising.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in donor management systems (Aplos preferred) and Microsoft Office 365.

• Strong "sales" mindset with the ability to identify and acquire new funding partners.

• Exceptional written communication—you should be able to write a proposal that is both data-heavy and heart-centered.

• Deep commitment to H.E.A.R.T.S. values of equity, inclusiveness, and empowerment.

Sustainability Goals

• Annual Fundraising Goal: Meet or exceed annual revenue targets (e.g., $250,000+).

• New Donor Acquisition: Secure a minimum of 25 new donors annually through strategic outreach.

• Grant Success Rate: Submit at least 12 high-quality grant applications annually with a 30%+ success rate.

• Major Gifts: Secure at least 5 major gifts ($5,000+) per year.

• Donor Retention Rate: Maintain or improve donor retention at 70%+ year-over-year.

Time Commitment: Full-time employees work seven hours each day - working at least 35 hours a week including weekend and evening events.

Dress Code: H.E.A.R.T.S. apparel and business casual.

Evaluation: All new hires, full-time employees, will start on a 90-day probationary period with hands on orientation, training, and weekly check-ins with the supervisor. Employees will be evaluated at the end of the 90 days (about 3 months) to determine if the employee with continue with the organization. This job's performance will be evaluated quarterly by your supervisor and in accordance with grant funding provisions.

How to Apply: Submit your resume, cover letter (detailing your grant writing success), salary requirements, and references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.