Development Director

Development Director (The Park Synagogue)

Organizational Profile

Founded in 1869, The Park Synagogue is one of the largest Conservative congregations in the United States. Located in Cleveland’s eastern suburbs, Park serves over 1,200 member families, supports daily and weekly worship, a religious school with 300+ students, a summer day camp with 100+ campers, and hosts numerous community programs throughout the year.

Position Overview

The Development Director leads all fundraising efforts for Park Synagogue, with a primary focus on personally cultivating relationships and securing gifts from donors for annual, major, and long-term gifts. The role oversees annual giving, major gifts, campaigns, grants, events, and donor stewardship. The Director works closely with the Executive Director, Senior Rabbi, Board leadership, and staff to strengthen a culture of philanthropy and advance the synagogue’s financial sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Develop and implement annual and multi-year fundraising strategies.
• Personally meet with donor prospects to cultivate and solicit gifts.
• Lead the Annual Campaign; manage donor retention and upgrades.
• Oversee all giving channels, including Tributes, Perpetual Kaddish, Societies, sponsorships, and designated gifts.
• Create strategies and proposals for individual donor engagement.
• Build relationships with corporate, foundation, and community partners.
• Plan and execute fundraising and donor-engagement events.
• Lead and support capital and endowment campaigns.

Stewardship & Communications

• Ensure timely donor acknowledgment and accurate record-keeping.
• Work with communications staff on appeals, materials, and impact reports.
• Publish a monthly philanthropy update.
• Organize donor recognition and stewardship events.
• Provide annual reporting to Tribute Fund donors.

Data, Reporting & Systems

• Manage donor database (ShulCloud or equivalent).
• Maintain donor contact notes and development records.
• Prepare reports for the Senior Rabbi, Executive Director, Executive Committee, and Board, and use donor data to guide decision-making.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Report to the Executive Director; collaborate with clergy and senior staff.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Development Committee.
• Coordinate a long-term master schedule of all fundraising activities.
• Partner with program staff on sponsorship opportunities.

Grants & Institutional Funding

• Identify foundation and institutional funding opportunities.
• Research, write, and manage grant proposals.
• Ensure compliance and reporting for awarded grants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 3–5+ years of significant fundraising experience, including major gifts.
• Demonstrated success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience with annual campaigns, special events, and volunteer engagement.
• Familiarity with planned giving concepts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.
• Comfortable with high levels of confidentiality.
• Experience with donor databases (Blackbaud, ShulCloud, or similar).
• Knowledge of Jewish communal life strongly preferred.

Personal Qualities

• Warm, engaging, and relationship-driven.
• Strategic and entrepreneurial thinker.
• Motivated self-starter with strong follow-through.
• Comfortable engaging with diverse congregants.
• Values donors at every giving level.
• Mission-driven and committed to strengthening Jewish life.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience.
• Health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Synagogue membership included.