Vice President of Development

Career Guide

A Vice President of Development is a senior leader responsible for growing an organization’s revenue through fundraising. This role sets the fundraising strategy, leads donor and partner relationships, manages a development team, and works closely with the Chief Executive Officer and board members to meet long-term funding goals.

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Key Responsibilities

Set the fundraising strategy and annual revenue goals
Lead major donor engagement and relationship building
Oversee gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Partner with the Chief Executive Officer on top donor and partner relationships
Support and train board members on fundraising expectations
Manage the development budget and resource planning
Lead and develop the fundraising team
Oversee grant strategy and high-level proposal direction
Plan fundraising campaigns and events
Improve donor retention through strong communications and recognition
Track fundraising performance and report progress to leadership
Ensure ethical fundraising practices and donor trust

Top Skills for Success

Executive Communication

Relationship Building

Strategic Planning

Leadership

Negotiation

Financial Acumen

Stakeholder Management

Donor Cultivation

Major Gift Solicitation

Campaign Strategy

Board Engagement

Grant Strategy

Donor Stewardship

Fundraising Analytics

Donor Database Management

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Chief Development Officer

Chief Advancement Officer

Executive Director

Chief Executive Officer

Vice President of External Affairs

Transition Opportunities

Vice President of Partnerships

Vice President of Marketing

Chief Operating Officer

Consultant

Interim Executive Director

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Major gift pipeline managementBoard fundraising enablementCampaign planningDonor retention strategyFundraising forecastingPerformance managementChange management

Development SuggestionsBuild a disciplined donor pipeline, formalize board involvement, and strengthen forecasting with consistent reporting. Seek mentorship from experienced advancement leaders and practice donor conversations through role-play and joint visits.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry Level$120,000 to $170,000

Mid Level$170,000 to $230,000

Senior Level$230,000 to $325,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand, driven by competition for donor dollars, expansion of philanthropy programs, and increased focus on diversified revenue.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Universities and collegesHospital systemsNational charitiesCommunity foundationsMuseums and cultural institutionsK through 12 education networksInternational aid organizationsResearch institutes

Industry Sectors

Higher educationHealthcareHuman servicesArts and cultureEnvironmental organizationsReligious organizationsInternational developmentPublic media

Recommended Next Steps

Audit the current fundraising mix and identify the top three growth opportunities

Create a 12 month fundraising plan with clear targets by channel

Build a major donor pipeline with defined stages and next actions

Set a donor stewardship calendar to improve retention

Align expectations with the Chief Executive Officer and board on roles in fundraising

Assess team structure and hire for the biggest capability gaps

Implement a simple dashboard for revenue, pipeline health, and donor retention

Refresh messaging and case for support to match donor priorities