Director of Philanthropic Activities

Director of Philanthropic Activities
Oakwood Creative Care | Mesa, AZ (regular travel to Chandler and Flagstaff) | Full-time, Exempt | 

About Us
For more than 50 years, Oakwood Creative Care has helped older adults live with joy, purpose, and connection. We offer arts, wellness, and enrichment programs in Mesa, Chandler, and Flagstaff.

The Role
You’ll report to the Chief Philanthropy Officer and own the systems and experiences that keep donors and volunteers connected to our mission. That covers our donor database, donor communications, the volunteer program, and all fundraising events, including Moments Matter, our signature annual gala. If you see every gift record, thank-you letter, and volunteer shift as a chance to deepen a relationship, we’d love to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

• Manage our donor CRM (Bloomerang). This includes gift entry, monthly reconciliation with finance, data hygiene, platform integrations, and reports on revenue, retention, and events.


• Acknowledge every gift within 48 hours with an IRS-compliant receipt. Write annual appeals, e-newsletters, and impact updates.


• Lead the Moments Matter Gala from concept through follow-up: budget, vendors, sponsorships, ticketing, auction, and the gala committee.


• Manage third-party fundraising events, as well as smaller cultivation events and tours.


• Run the volunteer program across all sites: recruitment, screening, onboarding, scheduling, and recognition.


• Work with the Chief Philanthropy Officer on goals and strategy, support board fundraising, and supervise future staff and interns.

What You Bring

• 5+ years in nonprofit fundraising or development, including donor database management and event planning


• Experience planning and running a major fundraising event, such as a gala, from start to finish


• Hands-on experience administering a donor CRM


• Experience recruiting and supporting volunteers or volunteer committees


• Warm, compelling writing and strong project management skills


• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel)


• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent professional experience


• Valid Arizona driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to pass a background check

Nice to Have: Experience with Bloomerang (strongly preferred), Givebutter or similar giving and auction platforms, or volunteer management software. Familiarity with Benevon or other relationship-based fundraising. Experience in aging services, health and human services, or the arts. Supervisory experience. A CFRE credential or progress toward one. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Good to Know

• Evening and weekend work is required for events, including the gala.


• You’ll travel regularly to program sites, community events, and donor meetings.


• You’ll need to be able to lift up to 30 lbs, stand for extended periods, and set up and break down events.


• You’ll work in settings with older adults, including people living with dementia.