Director of Development

Mission Statement:

Project SAGE creates social change to end interpersonal relationship violence by challenging attitudes and beliefs about power, control, and gender norms and by advocating for victims and survivors.

About Project SAGE (formerly Women’s Support Services)

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three women and one in four men in the United States have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner. With a powerful mission to create social change that ends interpersonal relationship violence, Project SAGE challenges attitudes and beliefs about power, control, and gender norms and advocates for victims and survivors. Serving six towns in the Northwest Connecticut community, the agency supports survivors, raises awareness through education and training, and challenges community businesses, providers, schools, and others to do better by victims and survivors in all they do.

For over 40 years, Project SAGE has worked towards their vision of a world in which everyone can be themselves and have healthy relationships. Last year, Project SAGE provided:

• Emergency shelter for 28 clients, collectively over 1400 nights of shelter
• Direct Services to approximately 800 adult and youth clients
• Support and advocacy for 558 victims of family violence in Criminal and Civil Court
• Responses to 1,884 hotline crisis requests
• Prevention education workshops that meet CT education standards in all grade 6-12 classrooms in Region 1 schools
• 46 workshops/trainings for adults, with attendance of over 400 people
• 317 prevention workshops for children and teens in local schools and daycare programs

Project SAGE is located in Lakeville, CT. Part of Litchfield County, Lakeville is one of the best places to live in Connecticut. It's known for its peaceful atmosphere, scenic beauty, beautiful vistas, pristine lakes and historic charm. It’s convenient to the Appalachian Trail, mountains for hiking and skiing, lakes for fishing and canoeing, and numerous art and music venues.

Lakeville is a 45 minute drive to the Berkshires, an hour and twenty minutes from Hartford and a two hour train ride to New York City.

Project SAGE is one of the 18 members of CCADV, the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Statement of Principles

Cooperation and Mutual Respect

Project SAGE is committed to the development of each person’s full potential and the dignity and worth of each individual’s talents and contributions. Relations among staff, between staff and Board, and with volunteers will be guided by cooperation and mutual respect.

Collaboration and Communication

Project SAGE strives to maintain a supportive and collaborative environment where each person can bring their best to the work and mission of Project SAGE. Project SAGE values honest, direct, and respectful communication among staff, volunteers, and Board members.

Strength in Diversity

Project SAGE believes honoring diversity and striving for inclusiveness are values of strength that contribute positively to the work and mission of Project SAGE.

About the Position

The Director of Development oversees all Project SAGE fundraising efforts. They are responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program that includes individual giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, grants and special events. The successful candidate will work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors and volunteer committees to develop fundraising goals and strategies, and will manage a team of fundraising professionals.

Project SAGE works 37.5 hours a week. This is a full-time exempt position.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director and directly supervises the part-time Development Associate and full-time Events Coordinator (position to be filled later in 2024).

Philanthropy Context:

With a current annual budget of $1.5 million, Project SAGE has recently experienced significant growth and has a strong foundation—both in terms of reputation and revenue generation—on which to continue to increase their impact.

Last year, the agency raised 36% of its revenue from individual and institutional donors, 35% from state and federal funding, and 29% from their nationally acclaimed annual event called Trade Secrets, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in May 2025. Project SAGE’s committed Board of 16 members actively engages in fundraising, with 100% Board participation in giving and willingness to reach out to their networks and assist in the thoughtful identification, cultivation, and stewardship of donors. In addition to partnering with the full Board of Directors on fundraising, the Director of Development will also collaborate closely with two active committees, the fund development committee of the Board and the Trade Secrets Underwriting committee, as well as be involved with other volunteer committees.

In February 2022, Project SAGE moved to a new space with increased capacity for client services and staff needs. They are now embarking on the second phase of the building renovation and plan to continue to leverage the enthusiasm for the project, which will be a focus of fundraising in the coming year. Given compelling fundraising opportunities and a significant base of donors and prospects, Project SAGE is poised to strengthen philanthropy in both the near and long term. The Director of Development will play a critical role in this growth and in supporting a philanthropic culture of hospitality and generosity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and Implement a Comprehensive Fundraising Plan including an annual development plan and calendar.
• Manage and lead a team of fundraising professionals
• Work closely with a variety of volunteer committees
• Identify and work with Project SAGE’s grants writing consultant, and help provide leadership and oversight for grant writing including research, narrative strategy, and editing.
• Manage the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of new and existing donors, develop meaningful and authentic donor relationships to ensure sustained and increased support.
• Manage a personal portfolio of 100-150 major gift-level donors
• Facilitate and organize donor meetings with the Executive Director
• Working with a marketing/communications consultant, create effective donor communications and development materials.
• Oversee and complete a special “Phase 2” 1.2 million dollar fundraising campaign to renovate the second half of our new building, some of which has already been raised and pledged.
• Monitor and analyze fundraising data to evaluate performance and adjust strategies as needed.
• Work to identify and oversee a move to a new donor tracking system
• Guide and manage all aspects of annual giving appeals which includes: fall annual appeal, winter holiday outreach, Trade Secrets Underwriting winter appeal and spring LYBUNT appeal.
• Expand and diversify Project SAGE funding sources

Special Requirements:

• Obtain and maintain certification as a domestic violence counselor per CGS 52-146k (Project SAGE provides training).
• Maintain client confidentiality subject to Project SAGE’s confidentiality and mandatory reporting policies and the provisions of CGS 52-146k privileged communications between domestic violence counselors and victims.

General Requirements

• Participate in Project SAGE community outreach efforts.
• Attend and participate in Project SAGE staff meetings and trainings.
• Perform other agreed upon projects and duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Key Qualifications

• Enthusiasm about working and collaborating with a small team at a mission-driven organization.
• Calm and steady with superior networking skills a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal working relationships with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, community groups, and stakeholder groups from many backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise a high level of discretion in both internal and external interactions
• Self-motivated and self-directed to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Meticulous attention to detail with superb organizational skills
• Prioritizes clarity and accuracy in all communications
• Diligent in follow through with a growth mindset
• Systems thinker with hands on experience with donor database software, as well as Microsoft office suite and Google calendar.

Key Experience:

• Knowledge and experience in the ever-changing evolutions in the field of philanthropy, including trust-based philanthropy, the rise of AI and technology, investing in the workforce and operations and engaging millennials and gen Z in philanthropy.
• Demonstrated history in effectively mentoring and developing direct reports
• 5+ years of non-profit fundraising experience
• Experience in grant research and writing proposals
• Successful track record of identifying, soliciting, and securing 4-6 figure gifts
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent life experience, professional designation as a Certified Fundraising executive a plus
• Demonstrated success in developing and overseeing budgets and ensuring on-time, on-budget implementation
• Possess a working knowledge of and sensitivity to issues regarding nonprofit organizations to ensure compliance with all legal and fiscal management requirements related to the solicitation of funds.