VP of Community Development

Remote

Full Time

Executive

The VP of Community Development is the cornerstone of our community-driven fundraising model. By leading chapter engagement and revenue strategy, this position directly fuels our ability to fund groundbreaking research and accelerate cures for blinding diseases. Success here means delivering ambitious revenue goals while empowering teams, inspiring volunteers, and ensuring every community effort translates into tangible impact for those affected by vision loss.

Primary Responsibilities: The following illustrates the accountabilites and duties associated with this position and are not meant to be an all-inclusive list:

Cultivate a culture of innovation, accountability, and motivation that drives chapter engagement and giving while creating a meaningful and rewarding employee experience.
Set, monitor, and exceed ambitious fundraising goals.
Align all regional, event, and science program strategies with organizational priorities and financial objectives.
Actively engage in the field: visit chapters, participate in volunteer and board activities, and model best practices for relationship building, outreach, and fundraising.
Ensure every chapter and event team has clear, measurable fundraising goals and actionable plans.
Coach, mentor, and develop Regional Directors and Event Directors, into expert fundraisers through formal and informal training and performance assessments.
Work closely with internal teams to craft powerful stories that turn complex research into relatable, inspiring narratives—equipping our field team with compelling messages that engage donors, volunteers, and communities in advancing the Foundation’s mission
Optimize fundraising strategies using data insights; implement best practices across all regions.
Manage budgets, forecasts, and rigorous revenue reporting with attention to organizational alignment.
Build strong in-market relationships with volunteers, boards, donors, and community partners to strengthen chapter capacity.
Lead the strategic expansion of our national geographic footprint through new chapter development, volunteer leadership recruitment, and scaling existing core community-based fundraising initiatives.

Essential Qualifications:

7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit fundraising, chapter-based programs, or equivalent, including 3+ years managing multi-level teams.
Ability to travel easily and frequently across the United States, with reliable access to major airports. Because this role leads teams and programs nationwide, candidates should reside in a location that allows convenient travel to key markets and events.
Demonstrated success in managing large-scale fundraising programs and meeting or exceeding multi-million-dollar revenue goals.
Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop high-performing teams into expert fundraisers through structured training and accountability.
Track record of aligning team priorities with organizational goals and driving results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Experience in pipeline development, forecasting, and data-driven revenue strategy; ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into actionable plans.
Comfort with field engagement, including volunteer and board cultivation, and ability to model best practices for relationship building.
Inspirational leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to motivate teams and ensure accountability for measurable outcomes.
Demonstrated success in geographic expansion and chapter development, including establishing new volunteer networks, launching fundraising events in new markets, and building sustainable community presence.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including large and small group presentations, facilitation, and persuasive storytelling.
Proficiency in nonprofit CRM systems and leveraging technology for fundraising optimization; advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills.
Change leadership experience, guiding teams through organizational shifts while maintaining focus on enterprise priorities.
Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with a strategic mindset.

Position Specifics:

Home-office based position with up to 30% estimated travel
Annual Bonus Eligibility up to 10%
Technology allowance provided: $120/mo
Full-time, exempt, with occasional evenings and weekends
Budgeted Salary Range: $200k–$230k This range is what we reasonably expect to pay for this role. The range considers a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to: geographic markets, skill sets, depth of experience, and internal equity to comparable roles
Reports to Chief of Strategy and Innovation
Direct Reports: Yes

To apply, please submit both a resume and a cover letter.
Applications submitted without a resume and/or cover letter may not be considered.

Apply for this position

Required*

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Phone*

Address*

Resume*

We've received your resume. Click here to update it.

Attach resume or Paste resume

Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

Cover Letter*

Who referred you to this position? Enter their first and last name here.

What's your citizenship / employment eligibility?*

LinkedIn Profile URL:

Earliest start date?

Is the address you provided your permanent address?*

Have you been employed by Foundation Fighting Blindness?*

If you have been employed by Foundation Fighting Blindness, please explain

How did you learn about this opening?*

If you answered "Other" for how you learned about this opening please provide more information here.

If you were referred by an employee, who was it?

Have you ever applied for a position with Foundation Fighting Blindness before?

Do you have relatives that are employed by Foundation Fighting Blindness?

If yes, provide names.

Is there anything that would prevent you from working any day or time of the week, traveling, or regularly working overtime?*

If yes, please specify the reasons (It is not necessary for you to identify unavailability for work because of religious observance or practice or any other protected classification. Subsequent to any job offer, we will consider whether a reasonable accommodation can be made.)

Comments: Explain gaps in your employment, other than those due to personal illness, injury, or disability.

What is your desired salary?*

I certify that the information furnished in this application and any supporting documents is true and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that any false statements, misrepresentation or omission of material fact on this or any other record submitted pertinent to employment or during any interview will be sufficient cause to (i) eliminate me from further consideration for employment, (ii) withdrawal of any offer of employment, or (iii) may result in my immediate discharge from the employer’s service, whenever it is discovered. I authorize my previous employers, references, educational institutions, public agencies, licensing authorities, and other persons named to verify the accuracy of all information in this application, resume, or job interview. I give Foundation Fighting Blindness permission to investigate and inquire about all statements contained in this application. I hereby release and hold harmless Foundation Fighting Blindness and its representatives, said agencies or other persons or organizations from liability, for disclosure of any lawful information about me in their possession.

I understand that any hiring decision is contingent upon my successful completion of all of Foundation Fighting Blindness’s lawful pre-employment checks, which may include a background check.*

Please list any donor/relational databases and event utility systems you have experience with (e.g., GoFundMe Pro, Classy, Virtuous). For each, include:
-Your role in using the system
-Key tasks you performed
-Length of experience

Have you previously worked at a non-profit research organization?* yesno

In 3–4 sentences, describe the largest multi‑market fundraising or field operation you’ve led, including revenue scale and team size, and share what made your leadership effective.*

The following questions are entirely optional.

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.

Gender

Race/Ethnicity

Human Check*

Submit Application