Director of Development @ Hunger Free Vermont

Position Title: Director of Development
Supervisor: Executive Director
Supervisee(s): Grants and Development Manager
Standard Hours: Hybrid, 35 hours per week, Exempt; in-state travel, occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends
Comprehensive Benefits including medical/dental/vision, generous paid time off, retirement, and disability

Position Summary
Hunger Free Vermont is seeking a strategic and passionate Director of Development to lead all fundraising efforts and ensure long-term financial sustainability. You will be responsible for planning and executing a comprehensive development strategy—including individual giving, business partnerships, and grants—aligned with our mission to end hunger for all Vermonters.

As a key leader in the organization, you will partner closely with the Grants and Development Manager and the Executive Director as the team responsible for raising $1.8 million annually to support our operating budget. Your proven experience in team supervision, grant management, and donor engagement will drive our success. This role is ideal for a collaborative leader who combines data-driven strategy with a deep commitment to social justice. Through meaningful relationships with donors, stakeholders, and partners, you will help shift the conversation from charity to collaboration.

The Development Team
The Development Team ensures Hunger Free Vermont has the financial resources to make permanent, systemic change. Our core revenue comes from strong, long-term foundation partnerships, and we are actively growing support from individual donors, corporate partners, and collaborative grants. We also participate in collective fundraising efforts with peer organizations, including our role in the Vermont Food Security Roadmap Coalition.

Working at Hunger Free Vermont

At Hunger Free Vermont, we believe everyone deserves access to nourishing food. We value the well-being of our staff and the communities we serve. Our work culture centers on collaboration, curiosity, open communication, and mutual care. We design roles and workflows to support work-life balance, knowledge-sharing, and sustainability. We actively seek to create a learning environment that values innovation and equity.

Focus of Position

Lead fundraising strategy and planning to meet the organization’s $1.8 million annual revenue goal.
Provide supervision and mentorship to the Grants and Development Manager, with a focus on nurturing their leadership growth and long-term development.
Create and implement fundraising plans across key areas: individual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorships, and planned giving.
Build and maintain strong donor relationships through engagement, recognition, and stewardship.
Collaborate with the Grants & Development Manager to write and submit compelling proposals, letters of inquiry, budgets, and reports.
Identify new grant opportunities that align with organizational goals.
Manage post-award grant activities including compliance, data collection, and reporting.
Partner with the Communications and Program teams to create persuasive messaging for fundraising campaigns and donor communications.
Provide fundraising performance updates to the Board of Directors and attend board meetings regularly.
Participate in the organization’s Leadership Team to guide overall strategy and operations.
Engage in collaborative fundraising efforts with other anti-hunger organizations to share resources and maximize impact.
Foster a positive team culture that supports professional growth and shared leadership.

Important Perspectives, Knowledge, and Skills

At least 7 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including successfully meeting ambitious revenue goals, leading strategic campaigns, and building empowered and purpose-aligned teams through supportive and collaborative leadership.
Experience managing fundraising and communications strategies.
Deep knowledge of diverse fundraising methods including major gifts, annual giving, grants, corporate partnerships, and planned giving.
Strong grant writing and reporting experience.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strategic thinker with the ability to adapt to emerging trends in philanthropy.
Skilled in donor relationship-building, solicitation, and stewardship.
Budgeting and financial tracking experience.
Familiarity with donor management software.
Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Passionate about ending hunger and building food security for all Vermonters.


Working Conditions & Physical Demands

This position is based in South Burlington, VT, with flexible in-office or hybrid work options.
Occasional in-state travel may be required.
Hunger Free Vermont provides reasonable accommodations to support all employees in fulfilling job responsibilities.
Must be able to work at a computer and participate in virtual meetings for extended periods.


Hunger Free Vermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Bringing diverse perspectives into anti-hunger work is critical to affecting meaningful change. To expand the diversity of voices who speak with authority toward this end, we welcome candidates with lived experience in hunger.

Learn more about our open positions, working at Hunger Free Vermont, and the application process by visiting //www.hungerfreevt.org/employment. There you will find a link to the position descriptions and our application submission site.

If we can assist you in applying for this position, we warmly welcome you to contact us by emailing jobs@hungerfreevt.org or by calling (802) 865-0255.