Resource Library
Opportunities at LifeAct
Director of Development
LifeAct | Chagrin Falls, OH
Job Type: Full-time
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
About LifeAct
LifeAct is a Northeast Ohio nonprofit dedicated to preventing suicide by educating young people to recognize the warning signs of suicide and seek professional help for themselves and others. Through school-based suicide prevention and stress management programs, LifeAct provides students with critical knowledge and tools to support their mental health and connect with help when needed.
Last school year, LifeAct reached more than 35,000 students in 136 schools, helping young people recognize when they or someone they know may need support.
As demand for our programs continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced fundraising professional to help strengthen and expand the philanthropic partnerships that make this work possible.
About the Opportunity
LifeAct is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven Director of Development to lead our fundraising efforts and help build a sustainable, diversified revenue base.
This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on fundraiser who enjoys meeting people, building meaningful relationships, and securing philanthropic support for a mission that matters.
Working closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and development team, the Director will lead major gifts, individual giving, corporate partnerships, annual fundraising campaigns, planned giving, and event fundraising.
LifeAct has established support for grant writing, donor database management, gift processing, acknowledgments, and reporting. We're looking for someone who can build on that foundation by focusing on what they do best: cultivating relationships, making the ask, and generating revenue.
What You'll Do
Build Relationships & Secure Gifts
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors and major gift prospects.
Manage an active portfolio of donors and personally conduct cultivation meetings and gift solicitations.
Develop strategies to acquire new donors, increase retention, and grow individual giving.
Partner with the CEO on major gift opportunities and significant donor relationships.
Lead Fundraising Strategy
Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan with clear revenue goals and measurable outcomes.
Lead LifeAct's Annual Fund and strategies to increase unrestricted support.
Identify opportunities to diversify revenue and expand philanthropic partnerships.
Relaunch and grow LifeAct's planned and legacy giving program.
Monitor fundraising performance and adjust strategies to achieve goals.
Grow Corporate & Foundation Partnerships
Cultivate corporate sponsors, business leaders, and community funding partners.
Develop opportunities for businesses to invest in LifeAct's mission and programs.
Strengthen relationships with foundations and institutional funders.
Collaborate with our Development Specialist to support grant opportunities, proposals, and foundation stewardship.
Support Events & Community Engagement
Provide fundraising leadership for LifeAct's signature events, including Links for Life and Move for Mental Health.
Develop sponsorship strategies and secure event support.
Work with volunteers, committees, and community partners to maximize fundraising success.
Lead & Collaborate
Provide leadership and direction to the development team.
Partner with the CEO to engage Board members in fundraising and donor cultivation.
Establish clear fundraising priorities, goals, and accountability.
Build a collaborative, results-oriented approach to philanthropy across the organization.
What We're Looking For
5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, major gifts, or a related field preferred.
Demonstrated success cultivating donors and personally securing philanthropic gifts.
Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
Confidence in making financial asks and engaging donors in meaningful conversations.
Experience with individual giving, annual campaigns, major gifts, or corporate partnerships.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to develop fundraising strategies and translate them into measurable results.
Excellent organizational and project management skills.
Experience working with nonprofit Boards and volunteers preferred.
Experience leading or coordinating a small team preferred.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
A genuine passion for youth mental health and suicide prevention.
You'll Thrive at LifeAct If You...
Love meeting people and building authentic relationships.
Are energized by fundraising and comfortable asking for support.
Take initiative and follow through on opportunities.
Can think strategically while remaining actively involved in the work.
Enjoy collaborating with a small, dedicated team.
Are motivated by goals, accountability, and measurable results.
Want your work to have a direct and meaningful impact on young people's lives.
Why Join LifeAct?
At LifeAct, your work will directly support programs that help young people recognize the warning signs of suicide and connect with professional help.
You'll join a mission-driven organization with an established community presence, strong philanthropic relationships, and significant opportunities for growth.
This role offers the opportunity to work closely with organizational leadership, develop meaningful relationships throughout Northeast Ohio, and play an important part in LifeAct's long-term sustainability.
If you're a fundraiser who loves building relationships, making meaningful asks, and seeing the impact of your work, we'd love to hear from you.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter describing your fundraising experience, including examples of your success in cultivating donors and securing philanthropic support to Sborden@lifeact.org
LifeAct is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds.
Program Instructor
Seasonal (2026-2027 School Year)
LifeAct is a local nonprofit that provides depression awareness and suicide prevention education for middle and high school students. The Program Instructor delivers LifeAct’s signature programs. These programs teach the signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Students learn how to identify these signs within themselves and others and seek help. Program Instructors connect students who may need assistance to designated school staff. They do not diagnose or treat students.
Program Instructor Responsibilities:
Work as part of a Team of Instructors to deliver LifeAct’s signature programs throughout Ohio and help market LifeAct’s prevention education program to area schools.
Instruct students in our 1-day Stress Management Program and our 2-day middle school and high school Suicide Prevention Programs.
Learn and deliver the evidence-based QPR, Question, Persuade, and Refer 1-hour programming for adults if needed (once instructor is certified).
Maintain and produce necessary documentation and paperwork as well as online reports for data collection.
Apply for Registered Applicant status in Ohio and complete the required education and experience to earn the Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant (OCPSA) credential, which is required by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Board to provide prevention services in the state.
Programming Instructor Key Functions:
Act as an in-classroom guest instructor for high school & middle schools. Present two sessions per class (on consecutive days) with the prescribed curriculum as scheduled by the Program Director and/or Program Coordinator.
Present a 1-day Stress Management Program with the prescribed curriculum as scheduled by the Program Director and/or Program Coordinator.
Connect students who “come forward” with symptoms of major depression or suicidal ideation to appropriate contact person in school (Guidance Counselor, School Nurse, Administrator or Outside Agency Counselor) by following all Reporting Procedures. Document all students who express suicidal ideation, symptoms of depression or other mental health issues with LifeAct’s formal report and online reports.
Complete documentation and paperwork as well as online reports.
Promote LifeAct Community Events at schools served.
Promote Youth Advisory Board at schools served.
Attend monthly instructor meetings, in-service training sessions and other meetings as scheduled.
Provide data input pertaining to students served, students reported, and other key metrics, in a timely manner as outlined by the Program Director and Program Data Specialist.
Program Instructor Skills & Qualifications:
Knowledge of mental health and adolescent development.
Teaching experience in middle and high school grades; in-school or out-of-school.
Experience with school culture and dynamics.
Ability to engage and create partnerships with schools.
Knowledge of MS Outlook (email, shared calendars), MS Office Suite.
Knowledge of Apple iPad functionality (these are used to deliver programming)
Willingness to learn, adapt, and troubleshoot technology independently.
Maturity, reliability, high energy, and ability to work independently.
Self-starter and willingness to work flexible hours.
Reliable transportation, current Ohio driver’s license and auto insurance.
A background check will be required for this position.
Commitment to obtain the necessary experience and education related to the OCPSA license within 1 year of starting date.
Reliable transportation, current Ohio driver’s license and auto insurance. (LifeAct reimburses mileage at the IRS rate. Willingness to work flexible hours. A background check will be required for this position
Organization Description
LifeAct is a non-profit, with a mission to prevent suicide by teaching young people to recognize the warning signs of depression and to come forward seeking professional help for themselves or others. This early identification helps to initiate the first step in getting assistance – connecting those students with the appropriate professionals. Our program is taught in more than 200 schools by trained instructors and benefits more than 48,000 students a year.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Joanie Walker, Program Director, at JWalker@LifeAct.org.
Part-Time Administrative Assistant
Position Summary
LifeAct is seeking a detail-oriented and mission-driven Part-Time Administrative Assistant to support the daily operations of our nonprofit organization. This position plays a vital role in ensuring smooth office operations, supporting staff and volunteers, assisting with communications, and helping advance LifeAct’s mission of suicide prevention through education and community engagement.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is organized, personable, flexible, and passionate about supporting meaningful work in the community.
Position Details
Schedule: Part-time, approximately 20–25 hours per week
Reports To: CEO
Compensation: Based on experience
Key Responsibilities
Provide administrative support to the leadership team and staff
Answer phones, manage incoming emails, and greet visitors professionally
Assist with scheduling meetings, trainings, and events
Maintain office organization, supplies, and filing systems
Support data entry
Prepare correspondence, reports, and meeting materials
Attend board meetings and record minutes
Help process mailings, acknowledgments, and basic bookkeeping support
Maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive organizational information
Support fundraising and community outreach initiatives as assigned
Qualifications
High school diploma required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred
Prior administrative or office experience preferred
Strong organizational and time-management skills
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail
Friendly, professional, and collaborative demeanor
Passion for nonprofit work and LifeAct’s mission
Preferred Skills
Experience working in a nonprofit environment
Familiarity with QuickBooks a plus
Event coordination experience
Social media or marketing support experience is a plus
Work Environment
LifeAct offers a collaborative and supportive office culture focused on compassion, professionalism, and community impact. This role is primarily office-based with occasional support needed for community events and board meetings.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and brief cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications to:
Sborden@lifeact.org
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
_________________________________________________________________________
Organization Description
LifeAct is a non-profit, with a mission to prevent suicide by teaching young people to recognize the warning signs of depression and to come forward seeking professional help for themselves or others. This early identification helps to initiate the first step in getting assistance – connecting those students with the appropriate professionals. Our program is taught in more than 200 schools by trained instructors and benefits more than 48,000 students a year.
LifeAct is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all employees and community members.