Director of Development

About the Autism Society of America

The Autism Society of America (ASA) is the nation's oldest and largest grassroots autism organization, dedicated to improving the lives of all affected by autism. Through advocacy, education, information and referral, support, and community, ASA empowers autistic people and their families across the United States through a network of national affiliates.

Position Summary

The Director of Development is ASA's sole dedicated fundraising leader, holding full ownership of the organization's contributed revenue program from strategy through execution. Reporting to the CEO, this role builds and runs ASA's development function end to end: setting fundraising strategy, managing a personal portfolio of major donor and institutional partner relationships, running the operational and data infrastructure that supports the program, and executing the campaigns, proposals, and stewardship activities that sustain and grow giving. The Director of Development is expected to work comfortably across both strategic and hands-on levels, and to partner directly with the CEO and Board on philanthropic strategy without an intermediary layer.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Develops and executes ASA's annual and multi-year fundraising strategy, diversifying and growing contributed revenue across major gifts, direct mail, institutional partnerships, and annual fund.
• Owns a personal portfolio of major donor and institutional partner relationships, leading cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for gifts at the organization's highest current giving levels.
• Leads grant strategy and execution, identifying institutional funding opportunities and personally preparing high-quality proposals and reports that reflect ASA's programmatic strength and financial accountability.
• Oversees direct mail strategy, including coordination with a mailing company and collaboration with communications/marketing staff on appeals, actively monitoring the performance of the appeals. Make informed recommendations on which mail production company to use.

Development Operations & Data

• Oversees ASA's development infrastructure, including reviewing the quality of data and guiding staff on best practices for CRM data integrity, gift processing, prospect research, and reporting.
• Coordinates the execution of development campaigns and events directly, managing logistics, timelines, vendor relationships, and donor follow-up.
• Tracks development metrics and produces regular reports on fundraising performance and pipeline health for the CEO and Board.

Board & Executive Partnership

• Partners directly with the CEO and Board of Directors on fundraising strategy and donor engagement, staffing the Board's philanthropic role and preparing briefing materials for Board members.
• Leverages CEO and Board relationships to advance major gift and institutional partnership opportunities.

Stewardship & Donor Experience

• Designs and runs a donor stewardship program that recognizes and retains investors at all giving levels, deepening long-term philanthropic commitment to ASA's mission.
• Collaborates across all departments to develop compelling cases for support, impact narratives, and donor-facing materials.

Qualifications

Required

• 6+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including direct responsibility for major donor and/or institutional funder relationships.
• Demonstrated experience successfully soliciting and closing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Comfort operating as an individual contributor across the full fundraising cycle — from strategy-setting through hands-on execution of gift processing, prospect research, and campaign logistics — without dedicated development staff support.
• Proficiency with nonprofit CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce NPSP, Raiser's Edge, or equivalent) and the willingness to personally maintain donor data and gift records.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing cases for support, grant proposals, and donor/funder communications.
• Commitment to equity in philanthropy and to centering the mission and community in all fundraising strategies.

Preferred

• CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification, or in progress.
• Experience in disability advocacy, health, or national membership nonprofit fundraising.
• Experience partnering directly with a Board of Directors and CEO in a fundraising capacity, without an intermediary VP or development team.
• Familiarity with planned giving as a component of a major gifts program.

Core Competencies

• Fundraising Strategy & Portfolio Leadership
• Donor & Funder Relationship Management
• Development Operations & Data Integrity
• Board & Executive Partnership
• Independent Execution Across Strategic and Operational Work
• Mission Alignment & Equity in Philanthropy

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is remote. Some travel is required (30-40%). Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, within the established compensation band for this role. ASA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision insurance, retirement plan, PTO, floating holidays, and other benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Autism Society of America is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from autistic individuals, people with disabilities, and candidates from historically underrepresented communities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Fundraising: 6 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• CFRE Certification (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Preferred)

Work Location: Remote