About SHF: Founded in 1969, Settlement Housing Fund is a nonprofit affordable housing organization. We own and operate 3,147 affordable apartments across New York City and are currently creating and preserving an additional 3,031 apartments. We provide social services through on-site support to ensure housing stability for tenants who have transitioned from shelters into permanent housing at our buildings and those of other owners. We serve as an HDFC nominee to provide private developers with access to City financing to expand the supply of affordable housing. We are a leader in tenant selection and affirmative fair housing, leasing hundreds of units annually for other affordable housing owners.
Position Overview: Settlement Housing Fund (SHF) is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Development & Communications to lead and elevate the organization’s fundraising and communication efforts during a period of significant growth for the organization.
Job Summary
The Director of Development & Communications is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy. This role will cultivate and oversee all philanthropic revenue streams including support from foundations, corporations, and individuals, as well as sponsorship and support for our signature annual gala. The Director of Development & Communications also leads organizational communications, ensuring consistent, compelling messaging across all platforms. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, strategic thinker, and a relationship builder who can balance big picture planning with hands-on execution.
Job Duties Include But Not Limited To
Fundraising Strategy
- Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with SHF’s mission and evolving organizational priorities.
- Lead strategic planning to expand and diversify revenue across individual, corporate, foundation, and government donations and grants.
- Partner with the Board and volunteers to support our fundraising strategy, prospecting, stewardship, and relationship management.
- Ensure revenue targets are met and create forecasts, pipelines, and progress reports for senior leadership and the Board.
Communications & Public Relations
- Oversee SHF’s communications, including our website, newsletter, social media, branding, and other communications to ensure consistent and compelling organizational messaging.
- Manage public relations efforts, including media coordination, press releases, and cultivation of relationships with journalists and external partners.
- Support new and ongoing engagement efforts with elected officials, community leaders, development partners, and other key external stakeholders.
Special Events & Donor Engagement
- Lead strategy, planning, and execution of SHF’s annual gala, including sponsorship development, donor cultivation, program creation, and revenue goals.
- Direct the planning and execution of events such as groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, and property celebrations.
- Strengthen donor stewardship and create meaningful opportunities for donor engagement, including site visits, volunteer events, and leadership-level touchpoints.
- Engage Board members and volunteers to serve as ambassadors for SHF, providing guidance and tools to support their engagement in fundraising and communications efforts.
Team Leadership & Cross-Department Collaboration
- Supervise Development & Communications staff and consultants, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team.
- Serve as a member of the senior team at SHF, contributing to organizational strategy and decision-making.
- Partner with SHF leadership and program staff to translate organizational outcomes and impact into fundraising and communications content.
- Collaborate with SHF leadership to ensure communications reflect organizational priorities, values, and impact.
