Summary
Description
Who We Are
The Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) is a non-profit adventure-based education organization that emphasizes personal growth through challenge and experience. For over 60 years our wilderness courses have focused on inspiring responsibility, teamwork, confidence, compassion, and environmental and community stewardship.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Colorado Outward Bound School celebrates diversity and strives to create an inclusive environment for all employees. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nation origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is based on qualifications and business needs. Outward Bound has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect and will report any suspected abuse or neglect.
We want to be transparent with all applicants that working at the Colorado Outward Bound School means joining a growth-minded community where we are actively dismantling our organization’s white supremacy culture. This conversation shows up at all levels of the organization – in our trainings, in our meetings, on our courses, and in our daily lives. Anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion work can be messy at times and we remain committed to navigating that together. Challenge and discovery are what we do and (un)learning is a fundamental part of our practice. COBS was originally built for and by white men, and now in support of our community members with marginalized identities – at COBS, in the outdoor industry, and beyond – we are actively working on changing that story to support individuals with different identities to empower themselves as we address barriers related to race, culture, socioeconomics, ability, gender, identity, geographic location, and mental health. While we are committed to learning and making necessary changes, we recognize we have a long way to go and want to notify applicants of that up front.
Your Role as the Next Development Director
COBS is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial, and highly collaborative fundraising leader to serve as our Director of Development. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will lead the Development team and oversee all contributed revenue, with responsibility for achieving an annual fundraising goal of $1.3M+, with a primary emphasis on major gifts, along with foundation, corporate, and community support.
This is a highly strategic and hands-on role, ideal for a systems thinker who is energized by building a high-performing development department from the ground up. The Director of Development will design and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy, personally manage and grow a major donor portfolio, and secure significant philanthropic investments. In close partnership with the Executive Director and Board, the Director will build the systems, tools, and culture needed to sustain long-term revenue growth, strengthen operational excellence, and deepen donor engagement in COBS’ mission.
Primary Roles and Responsibilities
Strategy and Organizational Leadership
- Serve as COBS chief fundraising strategist, partnering with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to set and advance the organization’s philanthropic vision and annual revenue goals ($1.3M+).
- Act as a core member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy, financial sustainability, and operational excellence.
- Collaborate with Outward Bound USA to leverage national initiatives and align local fundraising efforts.
- Manage and support the Board Development Committee, partnering with board members to activate networks, maximize donor opportunities, and lead board-driven campaigns.
- Provide regular, clear reporting to leadership and the Board on fundraising performance, pipeline health, and strategic priorities.
- Support critical incident response as needed, including availability outside of standard work hours when required.
Management Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership to the Development team, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and revenue goals.
- Hire and supervise a team of Development professionals, setting clear performance expectations and providing ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development support.
- Convene the Development team regularly to assess progress, align on strategy execution, capitalize on emerging opportunities, and address challenges.
- Foster a positive, collaborative work environment that promotes engagement, accountability, and professionalism.
- Champion and help build an organization-wide culture of philanthropy that engages staff, leadership, and the Board.
Major Gifts and Donor Cultivation:
- Partner with the Executive Director, Board leadership, and Development Committee to expand the major donor pipeline through strategic prospecting, research, and network leverage.
- Lead and coordinate all aspects of major gifts fundraising, including prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Manage a personal portfolio of major donors and prospects to achieve annual fundraising goals.
- Strategically support and advance the Executive Director’s major gifts fundraising efforts through planning, preparation, and follow-up.
- Design and implement meaningful donor recognition and stewardship opportunities, including leadership and legacy giving circles.
- Conduct donor research and collaborate with the Development team to develop comprehensive profiles and engagement strategies for major donors.
- In partnership with the Development team, plan and execute small- to mid-sized donor cultivation and stewardship events.
Institutional, Corporate & Planned Giving:
- Oversee COBS foundation fundraising strategy, working closely with the Executive Director, and the Development team to align proposals with organizational priorities.
- Develop and implement strategies to grow corporate partnerships and sponsorships.
- Reinvigorate and grow the organization’s planned giving program, ensuring alignment with long-term sustainability goals.
- Partner with the Marketing Manager to develop compelling planned giving and alumni communications.
- In partnership with the Development team, plan and execute small- to mid-sized donor cultivation and stewardship events.
Data, Finance & Systems
- Utilize the donor database (Salesforce) to track relationships, analyze giving trends, and inform fundraising strategy.
- Oversee monthly fundraising and financial reports to ensure progress toward annual revenue and budget goals.
- Partner with the Finance Department to ensure accurate tracking, forecasting, and reporting of contributed revenue.
- Lead the refinement of development and financial reporting tools to support decision-making and transparency.
Communications & Donor Stewardship
- In collaboration with the Marketing Manager, oversee the creation of donor-facing communications, including newsletters, appeals, social media, and digital content.
- Ensure digital platforms and social media are used strategically to deepen donor engagement and expand COBS’s reach.
Who You Are-Required
- Commitment to COBS’s mission of changing lives and values of compassion, service, inclusion, integrity and courage.
- Minimum of six years of progressive experience in professional fundraising, including demonstrated success in leadership roles.
- Proven ability to personally solicit, secure, and steward five-figure and larger gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Working knowledge of capital campaigns, planned giving, and endowment development.
- Experience fundraising for education, youth development, outdoor education, or related mission-driven organizations.
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, revenue forecasting, and donor database management (Salesforce experience preferred).
- Demonstrated experience leading teams, mentoring staff, and fostering professional growth and accountability.
- An exceptional public speaker and relationship builder with the ability to effectively communicate COBS’s funding needs to a wide variety of stakeholders
- A service ethic and willingness to help where needed and requested, including areas outside of traditional job responsibilities
- Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of four additional years of relevant experience
Physical Requirements
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Benefits
Compensation and Benefits
- Annual Salary Range: $100,000-$120,000. Based on experience, education level and expertise
- Benefits eligibility for medical, dental, and vision insurance, where COBS pays a significant amount towards health care premiums and provides employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage and basic life insurance.
- PTO (approximately 20 days per year) and sick leave prorated by months worked.
- 401k eligibility available after one year of service.
- Pro-deal eligible.
How to Apply
Application Process
Please visit our website to complete the online application process: https://www.cobs.org/connect/employment/. Please address cover letter to Amber Barnett, Executive Director.
** Colorado Outward Bound School is an E-Verify employer**
