Director of Development

Civil Eats, the award-winning, nonprofit news organization, seeks a director of development to join its hard-working team. This is a new position. Under the direct supervision of the executive director, the director of development’s primary role is to generate income through fundraising activities including foundations, corporations, and individual donors, management of special events and an annual campaign, and to work with the operations director, membership manager, and audience engagement officer to identify fundraising opportunities. This position is exempt.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES :

Leadership

• Work closely with the executive director to develop goals and strategies related to fundraising, membership, communications, and special events.
• Train staff, board members, and volunteers in philanthropic giving solicitation techniques.
• Serve as an information resource for all fundraising issues.

Strategic Planning

• Working collaboratively with all staff, organize an annual fund development plan and calendar to coordinate all fundraising and communications activities that maximize resources and results.
• Research and identify individual prospects for solicitations to increase donor base.
• Prepare background reports on donor giving and interests and develop proposals for donor consideration.
• Develop guidelines for planned giving, fundraising, and marketing campaigns.
• Evaluate overall results of fund development plan and recommend modifications or new approaches to support successful achievement of development goals.

Fund Development

• Cultivate potential major gift prospects, develop proposals, and conduct solicitations of individual donors.
• Research and identify individual prospects for solicitations to increase donor base.
• Prepare background reports on donor giving and interests and develop proposals for donor consideration.
• Write grant proposals for foundation support.
• Collaborate with staff and board to engage them in donor solicitations based on donor interests, personal relationships, expertise, or other criteria.
• Plan and implement fundraising and in-person and virtual events with staff and consultant support.
• Manage fundraising and special event expenses within budget.
• Help create and manage record-keeping for planned gift donors, assuring effective administrative and operational support functions are in place. Help create and manage a donor database.
• Keep current with laws, statutes, fundraising materials, and organizational literature.
• Recognize contributions with acknowledgement letters and special recognition events.

Partnership Development

• Develop partnerships with donors, community leaders, and related organizations.
• Work closely with staff to determine best audiences and approaches.
• Develop partnerships with community organizations and institutions, including educational institutions, as appropriate.

Communications

• Develop and maintain communications with support from the team to increase the visibility of programs, services, and activities within the organization and the community.
• Conduct in-person and online presentations as needed.
• Prepare correspondence, proposals, and reports.
• Develop fundraising materials to support solicitations and increase understanding of philanthropic gifts.
• Work with membership manager and audience engagement editor to create fundraising opportunities.
• Explore earned income and new business development opportunities with the executive and operations directors.

RELATIONSHIPS

Internal : Maintains oral and written contact with the team to receive / provide information, discuss challenges, explain guidelines / instructions, provide direction and advise / counsel.

External : Maintain oral and written contact with external groups, donors, prospects, media, and others to achieve program goals and objectives, manage costs, share information, and resolve problems, as well obtaining referrals and help solve technical issues. Frequent contact with community members, including financial planners, accountants, and law firms to maintain current knowledge in the field and to discuss donor interests and appropriate giving methods.

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE PREFERRED :

• Four-year degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of seven-years work experience in relevant fundraising activities and a proven track record of accomplishment in this area,

such as successfully soliciting five- and six-figure gifts and developing funding proposals for six-figure grants specifically in nonprofit news media and / or food systems nonprofits.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with all types of people.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, board, volunteers, community groups, and other related stakeholders.
• Knowledge of accessing and utilizing donor databases.
• Working knowledge of proposal preparation, reporting, and solicitation.
• Technologically proficient, with experience using Mailchimp, Eventbrite, and webinar platforms.
• Demonstrated ability in working with donors, volunteers, and community leaders.
• Commitment to the highest standards of philanthropic ethics.
• Passion for and / or knowledge of food systems helpful.
• Comfortable performing multi-faceted tasks in conjunction with day-to-day activities.
• Ability to get along with diverse personalities; tactful, mature, and flexible.
• Ability to work remotely and independently.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Civil Eats offers a competitive and comprehensive salary and package of employee benefits. The salary for this 40-hr / week position is $120,000.

LOCATION

Civil Eats operates a virtual newsroom, with the senior management team based on the West Coast. This position can be located anywhere in the U.S.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter, CV, and writing sample. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Civil Eats and provide examples of past successful fundraising efforts. Civil Eats is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring diverse employees.

We strongly encourage candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to apply so we can build a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we wish to serve. We view diversity as multi-dimensional and intersectional, encompassing race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, ability, class, geography, veteran status, lived experiences, and more.

Applications accepted until the position has been filled; to apply, please send an email to hiring@civileats.com. All inquiries will be held in confidence.

ABOUT CIVIL EATS

Since 2009, Civil Eats, an independent, nonprofit digital news site about the American food system, has focused on high-quality, original journalism that breaks news, educates leaders and policymakers, and serves as a resource for broader mainstream media. Learn more about our work here.

Salary : $120,000