Position Profile

• Fund Development Strategy, Planning and Execution (Approximately 20% of time): Lead the strategic development of the Ranches’ fundraising efforts, including creating and executing annual fund development plans, aligning strategies with the Ranches’ mission, managing annual giving campaigns, data and donor coordination, budgeting, and crafting marketing materials to enhance brand awareness and engage diverse donor audiences.
• Donor Relations (Approximately 40% of time): Collaborate with the Executive Director and Founder to foster new relationships with high-capacity donors, drive interest in Ranch activities, write grant proposals, manage donor acknowledgments, coordinate recognition events, conduct campus tours, and oversee the production and distribution of Ranch newsletters and quarterly magazines.
• Team Development (Approximately 20% of time): Drive staff performance through leadership, goal setting, and target achievement, support special event planning, foster relationships with program staff, and collaborate across departments to expand donor relationships and fundraising opportunities.
• Executive Leadership (Approximately 20% of time): Key member of the Executive Leadership team, actively engage with the Board, Foundation Trustees, and Auxiliary, nurture organization-wide relationships and communication, exemplify responsibility, maturity, and positive role modeling in interactions, and support a culture of gratitude and service.

At Hill Country Youth Ranch, culture is rooted in faith, family, trust, healing, and long-term commitment. The staff embodies a deep sense of mission-driven purpose, creating an environment that is relational, supportive, and transformative. Employees describe the organization as family-like, where collaboration, flexibility, and shared responsibility are central to daily life. Whether through annual traditions like Thanksgiving dinner or the unwavering support among staff, HCYR fosters a culture of belonging and trust.

HCYR’s work is guided by five core values:

• Faith – Providing an inclusive, non-denominational, and loving Christian environment where children of diverse backgrounds can navigate their spiritual journeys with love and understanding (John 15:12).
• Family – Believing that family is forever, HCYR goes beyond traditional foster care by fostering mentorship, training, and deep, lasting relationships that extend well beyond a child’s time in the program.
• Building Trust – Trust is established from day one, ensuring that every child and young adult receives unwavering support, guidance, and resources to help them heal, grow, and succeed.
• Healing & Growth – Each child’s path to healing is unique and intentional, incorporating adventure, exercise, play, and therapeutic interventions to replace negative patterns and cultivate emotional and physical well-being.

Continuum of Care – HCYR believes in long-term stability, providing continuous support that allows children to transition into stable adulthood rather than experiencing frequent disruptions.

This mission-centered culture makes HCYR a deeply rewarding place to work, where faith, compassion, and purpose drive every aspect of care.

• Navigating leadership transition – HCYR is shifting fundraising leadership from its founder to the Executive Team, requiring the CDO to balance donor relationships while ensuring a smooth transition.
• Entering amid significant change – The organization is undergoing a strategic shift, and the CDO will need to provide stability while helping shape a new development strategy in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Balancing innovation with tradition – While there is room for fresh fundraising strategies, it’s essential to respect and maintain long-standing donor relationships that have been the backbone of HCYR’s financial support.
• Defining and strengthening the Development Team – The role requires assessing team needs, clarifying roles, and building a structure that aligns with HCYR’s future fundraising goals.
• Managing evolving donor expectations – With a push toward increased private funding, the CDO must cultivate new donor relationships while reinforcing trust with existing supporters.

• Design and implement a transformative fundraising strategy – Build and execute a comprehensive development plan that drives both immediate impact and long-term financial sustainability.
• Shape the next chapter of a historic organization – Play a key role in refining and reinforcing HCYR’s mission, increasing reliance on private funding, and strengthening its faith-driven impact.
• Expand and enhance the Development Team – Structure and grow the team to support a scalable and effective fundraising operation.
• Deepen relationships with major donors – Cultivate and strengthen donor engagement, stewarding relationships that will sustain and grow the organization’s financial future.
• Work alongside a supportive leadership team – Partner with an engaged Executive Director and Board to bring strategic vision, donor engagement, and organizational growth to the next level.