Development Director

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

The Stepping Stones Foundation / Stepping Stones - Historic Home of Bill & Lois Wilson

62 Oak Road, Katonah, New York 10536 (Northern Westchester County, Town of Bedford)

Position Location: Hybrid

Position Description: Stepping Stones seeks an outgoing and experienced Development Director to lead the Foundation’s fundraising. Reporting to the Executive Director, the position directs annual and long-term fundraising to sustain the organization. The Development Director will design, implement, and manage all aspects of contributed revenue, including major gifts, annual giving, foundation and corporate support, planned giving, special events, and campaigns. They will cultivate and steward meaningful relationships with individual donors, foundations, community partners, and other stakeholders who are inspired by Stepping Stones’ legacy of service, recovery, and social impact.

Background: Stepping Stones is on the border of the hamlets of Katonah and Bedford Hills in the Town of Bedford in northern Westchester County, NY, - an hour north of Manhattan. The private, nonprofit, and tax-exempt National Historic Landmark, is the historic home and archive of William Griffith Wilson (“Bill W.”), who cofounded Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935 and wrote the 12 Steps of recovery, and Lois Burnham Wilson (“Lois W.”), who cofounded Al-Anon Family Groups in 1951. The mission of the organization is to “foster public understanding of alcoholism and inspire recovery by preserving and sharing the historic home, archive, and legacy of the Wilsons.”

The home and archive include the Wilson’s residence, Bill W.’s writing studio, 8.17 acres of grounds (including flower and community vegetable gardens), 10,000 historic objects, and 100,000 manuscripts and photographs. The landmark offers tours, an Annual Picnic, an online archive, and off-site and online programs. For information: https://www.steppingstones.org.

Position Overview: The Development Director is responsible for planning and implementing Stepping Stones’ fundraising strategy and activities to generate funds for the organization’s annual and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute an annual and multi‑year fundraising strategy aligned with strategic priorities and revenue goals.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects, including conducting in‑person and virtual donor meetings.
• Manage institutional giving, including prospect research, proposal development, compliance, and reporting.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board members to strengthen Board engagement in fundraising and donor relations.
• Oversee donor communications, recognition, and stewardship, ensuring timely, authentic, and mission‑centered interactions.
• Track and analyze fundraising performance, maintaining accurate donor records and reports.
• Organize development‑related meetings, events and campaigns that enhance visibility, community engagement, and philanthropy.
• Write materials related to the development function including but not limited to letters, grant applications, articles and reports.
• Write and give presentations.
• Utilize, update records and make lists and reports from databases including GiveCloud, Constant Contact, DonorSearch, and DonorPerfect.
• Organize and participate in occasional evening and weekend events and tours and occasional travel.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive development / fundraising experience in a nonprofit setting.
• Demonstrated experience and proven success in fundraising, donor relations, and relationships management and knowledge of industry standards for development.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and organizational skill.
• Knowledge of fundraising software / CRM systems and tools.

Preferred but not required:

• Experience using DonorPerfect CRM
• Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Work Location: Hybrid (2-3 days a week in office in Katonah and 2-3 days a week remote)

Compensation: Salary range, dependent on experience, is $80,000-$100,000) and benefits (health insurance and 401K)

Process for Application: Send an email to [email protected] describing your interest in the position and your most relevant qualifications and attach your resume or CV as a PDF or JPG file including full contact information. Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Fundraising: 5 years (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Katonah, NY 10536 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Katonah, NY 10536