Development Director
| Organization | p:ear |
| Date Posted | April 22, 2026 |
| City | Portland |
| State | Oregon |
| Location | Hybrid |
| Type of Position | Full-Time |
| Primary Job Function | Fundraising |
| Secondary Job Function | Marketing/Communications |
| Experience Requirement | 5-10 years |
| Salary Range | $110,000 – $115,000 annually |
Description & Details
The Development Director is a dynamic, mission-driven leader who champions p:ear’s story and inspires others to invest in our work with youth experiencing homelessness. This person is a natural connector—someone who thrives on building relationships, sparking conversations, and turning passion into tangible support. They are equally comfortable in a room full of strangers, a one-on-one donor meeting, or a community event where p:ear’s values shine.
This role blends strategy and heart. The Director is a strategic storyteller, community builder, and driver of revenue growth across individual, corporate, and foundation giving to meet an annual goal of $2.5M. They understand that development is rooted in connection, trust, and shared purpose—and they bring energy, curiosity, and follow-through to every opportunity.
In 2027, p:ear will celebrate its 25th anniversary—an important milestone honoring the creativity, connection, and care that have defined our work for a quarter century. This anniversary also provides a powerful opportunity to inspire deeper investment and supercharge the next 25 years of impact.
In partnership with the Executive Director, Board, and staff across departments, the Director will lead the development of a comprehensive 25th Anniversary plan to secure multi-year funding commitments beyond the annual goal that sustain and expand p:ear’s work well into the future.
About p:ear
p:ear builds positive relationships with youth experiencing homelessness through education, art, recreation, and job training to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful and healthier lives. At p:ear, our work starts with the realities of today and ends when young people find and embrace tomorrow. Our beauty—our core essence—is in everything in between: in the kids, their daily experiences, their struggles and triumphs, and in their journey. We believe every young person has a vibrant future.
p:ear respects and celebrates the diversity, creativity, and strength of our community. Equity and inclusion are priorities across all parts of our organization. We commit our time and resources to identifying and eliminating disparities based on identity and to promoting equitable access to our programs so we can all live in the world we want for our young people.
Required Values & Competencies
● Deep commitment to social justice, racial equity, and youth-centered practice
● Effective leader and collaborator across diverse communities, including BIPOC, immigrant, LGBTQ+, disabled, low-income, and homeless populations
● Skilled at cultivating and stewarding donor, partner, and stakeholder relationships aligned with p:ear's mission
● Strategic thinker who navigates ambiguity with confidence and sound judgment, and collaborates with humility
● Clear, compelling communicator and community-centered storyteller, able to distill complex information for diverse audiences
● Self-directed and achievement-oriented, with the initiative to anticipate needs, set priorities, and move work forward
● Patient and persistent in relationship-based fundraising
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy & Leadership
● Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan across individual, corporate, foundation, and event income streams; establish a planned giving program
● Lead the development of a multi-year funding strategy for p:ear’s 25th anniversary and long-term sustainability
● Lead and mentor development staff, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and responsible storytelling
● Partner with the Executive Director and Board to strengthen philanthropic engagement and expand p:ear’s network of supporters
● Build and manage systems for donor stewardship, prospecting, and pipeline development
● Utilize donor databases and related platforms effectively, creating a culture of rigorous, consistent record‑keeping to ensure continuity and strengthen long-term donor and partner relationships
Major Gifts & Individual Giving
● Lead and manage the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and transformational gifts ($5,000+)
● Build and maintain a robust portfolio of donors, ensuring thoughtful and strategic engagement through personal visits, calls, digital outreach, events, and tailored appeals
● Provide executive-level support to the Executive Director and staff in managing donor portfolios and preparing for donor interactions
● Develop and implement solicitation goals, cultivation strategies, and stewardship plans that inspire increased support
● Oversee the first-time donor journey and ensure meaningful, timely stewardship
● Develop strategies for monthly giving, annual appeals, and donor retention
Corporate Partnerships, Events & Community Engagement
● Build and maintain strong relationships with corporate partners, including a robust prospect pipeline for sponsorships, workplace giving and corporate engagement
● Provide strategic leadership for p:ear’s annual gala, p:ear Blossoms, and other fundraising events
● Design and oversee events that provide experiential learning and program engagement opportunities for donors
● Represent p:ear at community events, speaking engagements, and partner gatherings
● Cultivate relationships with community businesses and partners to support events and campaigns
Communications & Storytelling
● Partner with the Executive Director to develop an annual communications plan and supervise a Development Manager who oversees the organization’s multi-channel social media strategy
● Create and manage all fundraising related campaigns, from marketing and messaging to appeals, supporting a culture of responsible storytelling among staff and leadership
● Manage relationships with partners and vendors, including graphic design, printing, website, and database management vendors
● Manage the production and editing of high-quality copy for marketing and engagement collateral, such as mailings, fundraisers, social media, donor requests, and gratitude letters
● Represent p:ear in the community by participating in press engagements, including TV, radio, and public speaking opportunities
● Ensure all messaging reflects p:ear’s values of love, trust, belonging, and responsible storytelling
Safe Space Support
● Build healthy, mentoring relationships with youth
● Participate in occasional daily activities to stay connected to p:ear’s community and story
● Support a team approach to maintaining a safe, welcoming space for youth
Qualifications
Minimum 5 - 7 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit development, with demonstrated success in major gifts and relationship-based fundraising
Proven ability to build and steward donor relationships that lead to increased investment
Strong writing skills, including donor communications, proposals, and storytelling
Experience managing staff or leading teams
Demonstrated ability to work across lines of difference with humility and cultural responsiveness
Strong project management, coordination, and budget management skills
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays
Experience with Salesforce and WordPress preferred but not required
Application Instructions
Please send your resume and responses to the three questions below (in lieu of a cover letter)
as PDFs to jobs@pearmentor.org with “Development Director” in the subject line. Applications
will be accepted on a rolling basis with first review on 5/15/2026. Email only; no phone calls,
please.
1. How will you incorporate equity into your work as Development Director at p:ear?
2. How do you build community and grow relationships?
3. Tell us about the most impactful gift you've ever secured?