• Co-create and drive the fundraising strategy
  • In partnership with the VP of Strategic Growth and Revenue, develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising (contributed revenue) strategy encompassing government, individual giving, major gifts, foundation grants, and corporate partnerships to ensure that annual philanthropic revenue goals are achieved.
    • Currently, the majority of the contributed revenue comes from institutional donors. It is the intention that this revenue will be diversified to incorporate broader revenue streams by 2027.
  • Drive revenue growth by securing significant funding increases and spearheading initiatives that double our revenue over a three-year period. This would mean growing the contributed revenue from ~$3M now to $6M by 2027.
  • Spearhead grant success by crafting compelling proposals that resonate with major early childhood education funders, securing critical funding for our mission. Manage the grant reporting process, ensuring timely and impactful narratives that showcase program progress and exceed funder expectations.
  • Manage prospect research process and build a pipeline of funders that are capable of making transformative investments in scale and impact. Manage preparation for successful donor meetings and track all appropriate data in Salesforce.
  • Cultivate strong relationships by building strong connections with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners, fostering long-term partnerships.
  • Forge strategic cross-functional collaborations by working closely with both the Programs and Partnerships team to ensure grant deliverables are met and maximize program impact and the Finance team to ensure records, contributions, and grants are captured correctly.
  • Continuously learn and refine your fundraising expertise, expanding your leadership capabilities within a supportive environment.
  • Report directly to the Vice President of Strategic Growth and Revenue, providing regular updates on fundraising performance, forecasting, and overall progress toward achieving contributed revenue goals.
• Provide team management and leadership
  • Serve as a member of the Director’s Team within the organization; leading by example and demonstrating a commitment to results.
    • As a member of this team, this role will contribute to annual planning and strategic plan, support the development and management of the organizational budget, and actively use organizational management tools
  • Build a winning team by hiring, coaching, and managing a talented development team over the next three years. Deliver effective and insightful team management and guidance. Develop the skills and monitor progress to goals.
  • Ensure the team is resourced appropriately and has the tools, systems, and processes to ensure successful achievement of all goals and objectives.
  • Provide strategic thought partnership to the VP of Strategic Growth and Revenue on fundraising efforts.
  • Support building community and team. Be a culture carrier committed to DEI values.
  • Collaborate with every member of the team, including the CEO and Board. Build and maintain strong relationships across the organization.
• Other duties as needed.

This is more than just a job; it's an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children. Join us and be a part of a team that is changing the world, one book at a time.

Qualifications

• Possess a passion for the mission and values of Raising a Reader and a commitment to children’s literacy.
• Have significant (7 ) experience working with national non-profit development pipelines with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Demonstrate a consistent ability to meet and/or exceed goals year over year and grow a significant philanthropy portfolio.
• Prior moves management experience and success.
• Previous experience writing compelling grants and reports that inspire philanthropic investment.
• Exceptional business writing capabilities.
• Proven success leading and motivating fundraising teams in the nonprofit sector.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Proficiency using computers and software such as Salesforce,Microsoft Office, and Google Suite applications is required; prior Sharepoint experience is ideal.
• Understand the national philanthropy landscape, revenue best practices, and overall trends.
• Strong and inspiring organizational, managerial, and communication skills. You are a skilled listener and understand both the expressed needs and underlying sentiments in conversations. You identify patterns and themes across conversations and use those insights to further enhance the overall business development strategy.
• Have a strategic mindset paired with the execution skills that allow you to lead and manage critical projects, groups, or organizations to achieve goals/ objectives and build toward the future. Possess analytical skills and a focus on details that allows you to take a data-driven approach to fundraising.
• Demonstrate significant experience working with diverse audiences and/or communicating with an equity lens.
• Outstanding problem solver with an independent and entrepreneurial spirit that allows you to make quick, sound decisions and the ability to juggle multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Positive, can-do attitude with a solutions-oriented mindset. Customer service focused person who finds creative ways to get to “yes” whenever possible.
• Build and maintain relationships with multiple stakeholders, internally and externally, with inspiring verbal communication and presentation skills.

Compensation and Location

Pay: The pay range for this position is targeted at $95,000 - $150,000 annually. Final compensation amounts are determined by multiple factors, including candidate experience and geographic market, and may vary from the amounts provided. Generally, we expect this role to be paid near the $120,000 mark; however, we may pay more for specific geographic regions and/or highly desirable skills, experiences, and/or abilities. New staff are rarely brought in at the top of the range to ensure internal equity and to leave room for salary growth during an employee’s tenure at Raising a Reader.

Geographic location is one consideration in determining competitive and internally equitable compensation. Specifically,

• San Francisco Bay Area and New York City pay ranges up to $150K
• Boston, Los Angeles, and D.C. pay ranges up to $140K
• Other geographic locations may differ.

Benefits: We offer competitive benefits, including top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance, disability and life insurance, generous paid time off, 403(b) match, financial advising.

Location: While all U.S. states will be considered, there is a preference to hire candidates within these states: CA, CO, FL, MD, NC, NY, PA, TX, UT

Travel: there may be some travel required for this position. Estimated up to 10% travel in a given year for Board meetings, staff retreats, and other in-person events as determined by the CEO and President.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Inclusion

Raising a Reader is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. RAR is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, political affiliation, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. RAR is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume and a one-page cover letter outlining your unique qualifications for this role using the link below. The position will remain open until filled, though we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.