Director of Development

About Union Mission

Union Mission is a Westmoreland County nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness — providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing to individuals and families when they need it most. We meet our clients where they are, with compassion, flexibility, and a deep belief in every person’s capacity for stability and a brighter future.

We’re at an exciting inflection point. Private contributed revenue has nearly doubled over four years, donor retention is above the national average, and our Executive Director brings deep community roots and genuine passion for the work. Now we’re ready to build the development program our mission deserves — and we’re looking for the right person to lead that effort.

The Opportunity

This is a rare chance to build something meaningful from the ground up. As Union Mission’s first dedicated Director of Development, you’ll create and lead a comprehensive fundraising program — with a particular focus on individual giving, major gifts, and engaging our board more deeply in fundraising.

You’ll work side by side with an Executive Director who is eager to partner with you, a board that is ready to roll up its sleeves, and a staff team that is passionate about the mission. The foundation is strong. The momentum is real. And the opportunity to grow is significant.

This role is ideal for a mission-driven fundraising professional who is energized by relationship-building, excited to build programs, and ready to make their mark on an organization on the rise.

What You’ll Do:

Build and Lead the Fundraising Program

• Develop and implement Union Mission’s first comprehensive annual fundraising plan, with goals, strategies, and assigned responsibilities across all revenue streams.
• Build a structured individual giving program — including annual appeals, a mid-level giving track, and a first-time major gifts effort.
• Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects.
• Launch a recurring giving program and lay the groundwork for a planned giving/legacy society initiative.
• Develop Union Mission’s corporate partnership program, including tiered giving levels and targeted outreach to prospective business partners.
• Support foundation grant efforts — researching new opportunities, collaborating on proposals, and assisting on relevant grant writing tasks.

Engage the Board in Fundraising

• Serve as staff liaison to the Development Committee; provide tools, training, and specific asks that help board members engage confidently in fundraising.
• Support the annual board solicitation process and keep the board informed with regular fundraising dashboards and updates.

Strengthen Infrastructure

• Establish fundraising policies and procedures covering gift acceptance, acknowledgment, database management, and donor stewardship.
• Use Bloomerang to its full potential for relationship management, donor tracking, and data-driven strategy — not just gift entry.
• Support ongoing evaluation of Union Mission's event portfolio and donor engagement strategies, recommending adjustments to strengthen impact over time.
• Ensure donor-focused communications — including appeals, impact stories, and online giving — reflect Union Mission’s compelling case for support.

What You Bring:

Required

• Four to six or more years of professional fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in individual giving and donor cultivation.
• Proven track record of personally building relationships with donors and closing gifts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills — you can write a compelling appeal letter and speak passionately about the mission.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and accountable; you thrive without a lot of hand-holding.
• Experience with a donor CRM and comfort using data to drive decisions.
• Genuine alignment with Union Mission’s values and a commitment to serving people experiencing homelessness with dignity.

Highly Valued

• Experience building or significantly expanding a development program.
• Background in major gifts, planned giving, or corporate partnerships.
• Bloomerang experience a plus.
• Existing relationships in Westmoreland County or the surrounding region are a meaningful advantage for this role.
• CFRE certification a plus.

Why Union Mission

• Mission that matters: You'll help secure the resources that fuel a mission focused on empowering individuals and families — creating pathways to safe housing, renewing hope, and transforming lives
• An exceptional partner at the top: Our Executive Director is widely recognized as a standout leader in the region — deeply connected in the community, genuinely committed to building the development program, and eager to work hand in hand with the right person. You’ll have a real partner, not just a supervisor.
• Build something: This is a ground-floor opportunity to create a development program in your own image, with organizational support and momentum behind you.
• Community presence: Union Mission is a known and trusted name in Westmoreland County, with strong relationships across the region.
• Culture of compassion: We’re an organization that leads with flexibility, empathy, and a genuine belief in people — clients and staff alike.

Details:

• Location: Latrobe, PA (on-site with flexibility)
• Schedule: Full-time; some evening and weekend work required for events and donor meetings
• Reports to: Executive Director

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your fundraising experience and what draws you to Union Mission to [email protected]. Union Mission is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.

Ready to build something that matters? We’d love to hear from you.

Pay: $71,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person