Director of Development

About the Furniture Bank

The Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit helps families in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties rebuild their lives by providing essential home furnishings, beds, dressers, tables, and sofas to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or recovering from crisis.

Each year, we furnish more than 2,000 homes, transforming empty spaces into safe, dignified living environments. We believe a furnished home is not a luxury, it is a foundation for stability, recovery, and hope.

The Opportunity

The Director of Development will serve as a key member of the leadership team, responsible for creating and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that fuels the Furniture Bank’s growth and community impact.

This role is for a relationship-builder and revenue driver, someone equally comfortable setting strategy, opening doors, asking for major gifts, and building systems that make fundraising stronger every year. You’ll work closely with the new President & CEO, board members, donors, corporate partners, and foundations to expand support and deepen community engagement.  This is an opportunity to build and grow a philanthropy program as part of a new leadership team at a nonprofit with 60 years of community impact. 

If you thrive in a mission-driven environment where results matter, stories matter, and relationships matter, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Design and implement an annual and multi-year fundraising plan across individual, corporate, foundation, grant, and event revenue.
• Grow major gift giving, personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors at $5,000+.
• Identify new funding opportunities aligned with organizational growth goals.
• Strengthen sponsorship and corporate partnership strategies.

Execution & Relationship Building

• Manage all fundraising activities;  annual fund, campaigns, events, and grant cycles from concept through follow-up.
• Personally steward key donors, foundation, and corporate relationships.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for the Furniture Bank in the philanthropic and community sectors.
• Write and oversee compelling proposals, reports, and donor communications that clearly convey impact.

Board & Leadership Engagement

• Serve as staff liaison to the Board Development Committee.
• Equip board members to participate confidently in fundraising and donor engagement.
• Report regularly on fundraising performance, donor pipeline, and growth opportunities.

Systems & Growth

• Oversee donor database management and data integrity.
• Build systems to track donor engagement, retention, and revenue performance.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to strengthen organizational visibility and community presence.

What We’re Looking For

We know great candidates come from different paths. If this role excites you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification.

Ideal Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated success in major gifts, corporate partnerships, and grant development.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Excellent writing and storytelling ability.
• Experience managing donor databases and fundraising systems.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Passion for serving families and strengthening community stability.

Work Environment

Location: Pontiac, Michigan.  While we expect senior leaders to be present, the environment is flexible and hybrid.

Culture: Mission-driven, collaborative, community-centered, and results-oriented. We value initiative, integrity, and authentic relationships.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and holidays.

To Apply

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter to:

Diane Charles
dcharles@furniture-bank.org

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.