Annual Fund Development Specialist

Development Specialist

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development Specialist will play a key role in advancing the International OCD Foundation’s (IOCDF) long-term goal to significantly grow annual fundraising by helping to further develop and implement individual and mid-level giving strategies. This position is newly created, reflecting the organization’s growth and need for expanded donor engagement to support our five-year strategic plan. The Development Specialist will have a unique opportunity to design and lead dynamic individual giving initiatives, strengthen donor relations, and help build a sustainable development program for the long term. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a background in individual giving, an understanding of fundraising best practices, and a passion for the IOCDF’s mission to support those impacted by OCD and related disorders. This role is well-suited for individuals dedicated to a career in fundraising development, with opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position based in Boston, MA, with three days in-office each week. Annual travel to the IOCDF conference is required.

Qualifications

• A 4-year degree in a related field from an accredited college or university is preferred.
• 2-4 years of experience in a fundraising development or related role.
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising practices and ethical standards.
• Track record of success in growing individual giving programs.
• Proficiency with donor CRM, Salesforce preferred.
• Familiarity with online fundraising platforms such as Classy and wealth screening software.
• Basic experience with design tools like Canva encouraged.
• Knowledge of digital marketing for fundraising.
• Strong project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and solve problems effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and writing skills, with a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.

Principal Responsibilities

• Provide support to the Director of Development and Development Team to meet annual fundraising goals.
• Contribute to year-round engagement, stewardship, and segmented communication strategies to increase donor retention and boost mid-level giving, including grassroots, workplace, and peer-to-peer fundraising, and the annual year-end giving campaign
• Support direct mail appeals and digital fundraising initiatives, collaborating with the community to share impactful stories and develop compelling content.
• Assist in implementing donor journeys to strengthen the donor pipeline.
• Liaise with the Development Team to regularly update IOCDF donation pages, aligning with current fundraising trends.
• Effectively communicate with donors, responding to inquiries and cultivating relationships to advance them through the pipeline.
• Collaborate with fundraisers to increase giving and share impactful stories with the IOCDF community.
• Collaborate on content development to share donor impact.
• Assist with segmenting and managing donor contacts in the database and wealth screening tools, maintaining data accuracy and integrity.
• Leverage fundraising systems to track individual giving and generate reports to track progress.
• Contribute to donor-focused event planning as needed.
• Stay informed on philanthropic trends, specifically in grassroots, mid-level, and annual fund giving, to drive innovation in individual giving.

The International OCD Foundation provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.

About the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)

The IOCDF is a largely donor-supported nonprofit organization based in Boston, MA. Founded in 1986 by a small group of individuals with OCD, the Foundation has grown into an international membership-based organization serving a broad community of individuals with OCD and related disorders, their family members and loved ones, and mental health professionals and researchers around the world. We have affiliates in 25 states and territories in the US, in addition to global partnerships with other OCD organizations and mental health non-profits around the world.

The mission of the IOCDF is to help those affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders to live full and productive lives. Our aim is to increase access to effective treatment through research and training, foster a hopeful and supportive community for those affected by OCD and the professionals who treat them, and fight stigma surrounding mental health issues.