Development Director

Position Summary

KAXE is seeking a Development Director to lead and grow a diverse fundraising program that supports our mission and long-term sustainability. This role is responsible for building and executing a comprehensive development strategy that includes individual giving, major gifts, business support and sponsorship, on-air and digital fundraising campaigns, events and donor stewardship.

The Development Director is a senior leadership role that works closely with the CEO and staff to strengthen relationships, grow revenue and ensure fundraising efforts that are aligned with KAXE’s values, evolving digital presence and community-focused approach.

Essential Functions:

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute an annual development plan that supports organizational goals and revenue targets
• Lead a balanced fundraising program including individual giving, major gifts, underwriting and sponsorship, events and digital campaigns
• Identify and develop new sponsorship opportunities and initiatives that align with KAXE’s growth as a multimedia organization
• Track progress toward revenue goals and regularly report results and insights to leadership

Individual Giving & Major Gifts

• Build, foster and grow relationships with individual donors, including mid-level and major supporters
• Partner with CEO on donor cultivation and stewardship
• Develop strategies to improve donor retention, upgrades and long-term engagement

Business Support & Sponsorship

• Oversee underwriting and sponsorship sales across air, digital and event-based offerings
• Support prospecting, proposal development, relationship-building and renewals
• Collaborate on the development of digital sponsorships including web, newsletter, podcast and streaming opportunities
• Ensure business support offerings align with public media guidelines and KAXE’s mission

Campaigns & Events

• Collaborate with Membership team on on-air membership drives, year-end giving and special appeals
• Serve as a key collaborator and point connection for fundraising-related events and community engagement opportunities
• Collaborate with marketing and content staff to align fundraising with storytelling and audience engagement

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Manage and support development team, fostering a collaborative and mission-driven team culture
• Work across departments to integrate fundraising into programming, news, music and events
• Build systems, processes and shared expectations that support growth, clarity and accountability

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Experience leading or contributing to successful nonprofit fundraising programs
• Strong relationship-building skills with donors, businesses and community partners
• Comfort with individual giving, major gifts, business support and campaign-based fundraising
• Experience using donor databases or CRM systems and working with fundraising data and metrics
• Experience with Google Ads Manager is strongly preferred
• Experience with Canva
• Strong communication, organization and project management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort working collaboratively across teams and in a remote or hybrid setting
• Familiarity with public media or community-based organizations is strongly preferred
• Commitment to KAXE’s mission, values and community-centered approach
• Participate in a “culture of candor” within a positive work environment
• Travel between the regular worksite and the other studio (either Grand Rapids or Bemidji) is sometimes required; employee must have access to a vehicle and be able to drive

Additional Responsibilities:

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned
• Work to ensure the success of the organization
• Participate in other station activities, including but not limited to station events and fundraising activities, which may require working occasional weekends or evenings, or otherwise adjusting work hours

The Development Director will work directly and under the leadership of the CEO/General Manager.