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Opportunities at LifeAct
Director of Development
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Position Summary
LifeAct is seeking a strategic, experienced, and hands-on Director of Development to lead and execute the organization's comprehensive fundraising strategy.
This position will be responsible for developing philanthropic revenue across individual giving, major gifts, foundations, corporations, grants, planned giving, annual campaigns, and fundraising events. The Director will work closely with the CEO, Board, volunteers, and staff to build strong donor relationships and create a sustainable and diversified development program.
The ideal candidate is both a strategic leader and an active fundraiser who is comfortable developing strategy, cultivating relationships, making asks, writing proposals, and ensuring that fundraising efforts produce measurable results.
Key Responsibilities
Development Strategy
Develop and execute LifeAct's annual and long-term fundraising strategy.
Establish fundraising goals, priorities, and measurable outcomes.
Diversify philanthropic revenue and increase unrestricted support.
Maintain a strong prospect pipeline and identify new funding opportunities.
Regularly report fundraising progress and projections to the CEO and Board.
Major Gifts & Individual Giving
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects.
Manage a portfolio of key donors and personally conduct donor meetings and solicitations.
Lead LifeAct's annual fund and individual giving efforts.
Develop strategies to increase donor acquisition, retention, and giving levels.
Create meaningful donor stewardship and recognition practices.
Grants & Foundation Support
Research and identify foundations and grant opportunities.
Assist Development Specialist with proposals, letters of inquiry, and grant reports.
Build relationships with foundation representatives and funding partners.
Corporate & Community Partnerships
Develop corporate sponsorship and philanthropic partnerships.
Cultivate relationships with businesses and community leaders.
Create customized opportunities for corporate investment in LifeAct's mission and programs.
Planned & Legacy Giving
Relaunch and grow LifeAct's planned and legacy giving program.
Identify and cultivate prospective legacy donors.
Develop appropriate communications and stewardship strategies for legacy donors.
Fundraising Events
Provide strategic oversight for LifeAct fundraising events, including the Links for Life Golf Outing and Move for Mental Health 5K.
Establish revenue goals and sponsorship strategies.
Work with committees and volunteers to maximize fundraising results.
Evaluate event performance and return on investment.
Board & Volunteer Engagement
Develop meaningful fundraising roles for Board members and volunteers.
Provide Board members with the tools and information needed to participate in fundraising.
Work with the CEO to engage community leaders and volunteers in donor cultivation and solicitation.
Development Operations
Ensure accurate and timely donor records and gift processing.
Maintain effective use of LifeAct's donor database/CRM.
Develop development reports and dashboards.
Track revenue against goals and budget.
Work closely with Finance to ensure accurate reporting and reconciliation of philanthropic revenue.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
5–7+ years of progressive nonprofit development experience, with a demonstrated record of fundraising success.
Experience with major gifts, grants, annual giving, and corporate/foundation relationships.
Demonstrated ability to personally cultivate and solicit donors.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
Strong organizational and project management abilities.
Experience working with nonprofit Boards and volunteers.
Experience with donor databases/CRM systems.
Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution.
To Apply: Submit your resume and cover letter to sbaggott@lifeact.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
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:
Sbaggott@lifeact.org
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
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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.