Senior Director of Development and Partnerships

Date Posted	January 20, 2026
Industry	Nonprofit
Specialty	Not Specified
Job Status	Full-time
Salary	Not Specified

Description:

Deep South Today is a nonprofit network of local newsrooms that includes The Current, The Garrison Project, Mississippi Today and Verite News.
Founded in 2016, Mississippi Today is now one of the largest newsrooms in the state, and in 2023 it won the Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting. Verite News launched in 2022 in New Orleans, where it covers inequities facing communities of color. The Current is a nonprofit news organization founded in 2018 serving Lafayette and southern Louisiana.
With its regional scale and scope, Deep South Today is rebuilding and re-energizing local journalism in communities where it had previously eroded, and ensuring its long-term growth and sustainability.
To sustain that mission, Deep South Today is seeking an experienced Senior Director of Development and Partnerships for the newsroom it will establish in Arkansas. The Senior Director of Development and Partnerships is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing all annual fundraising initiatives to support the mission and strategic goals of Deep South Today’s newsroom in Arkansas. This role oversees major and annual giving, planned giving, grants, sponsorships, donor relations, and fundraising-related event coordination. The Director plays a key leadership role in donor cultivation and stewardship, while also managing key relationships with foundations, corporations, and individual supporters. This position reports to the VP of Development and Partnerships and works collaboratively with the President and CEO to foster a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization.

About the Role

The Senior Director of Development & Partnership leads fundraising at the local level, reports to the VP of Development and Partnerships, and coordinates fund-raising activities supporting Deep South Today's mission.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Execution

• Design and lead comprehensive development strategy including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, corporate sponsorships, and grants

• Manage full gift cycle: initiating contacts, developing cultivation strategies, making solicitations, and maintaining donor stewardship

• Manage annual fund including strategy, campaign design, and evaluation

• Develop multi-year fundraising plans aligned with strategic priorities

• Create revenue diversification strategies

• Lead campaign planning for special initiatives

Major Gifts

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects, maintaining portfolio of significant donors

• Develop customized cultivation and stewardship plans for major donors

• Research and qualify prospects through wealth screening and relationship mapping

• Build pipeline of legacy gift prospects and secure commitments

Grants & Sponsorships

• Oversee grant writing process, collaborating with Development Manager on proposals to foundations, corporations, and government agencies

• Cultivate and secure corporate sponsorships

• Maintain grant calendar ensuring timely submissions and compliance

• Build relationships with foundation officers and corporate giving managers

• Develop corporate partnership packages aligned with business objectives

Donor Research & Relationship Management

• Conduct prospect research to inform cultivation strategies and identify opportunities

• Maintain accurate donor records in development database; generate acknowledgment and stewardship communications

• Develop donor segmentation strategies for personalized communications

• Track donor progression

Collaboration & Leadership

• Work with President/CEO and senior leaders to engage stakeholders in fundraising

• Serve as visible ambassador for DST in the community

• Partner with editorial team to translate journalistic impact into fundraising narratives

• Collaborate with marketing on donor communications and campaigns

• Provide fundraising training to board members and ambassadors

Donor Stewardship & Communications

• Design comprehensive donor stewardship program ensuring donors feel valued

• Create personalized acknowledgment and recognition strategies

• Develop impact reporting demonstrating mission advancement

• Organize donor appreciation events and cultivation activities

• Ensure timely and meaningful donor communication

Location: Arkansas

Compensation: Commensurate with experience.

How to Apply

Deep South Today is committed to building an inclusive company that represents the people and communities we serve. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply for this position, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people who are differently abled. Please apply here.

Apply

https://deepsouthtoday.org/careers/