Director of Development

  • Position title: Director of Development
  • Employment type: Full-time, exempt
  • Reports to: Executive Director
  • Manages: Development Manager
  • Salary range: $90,000 – $100,000
  • Application deadline: Open until filled, priority given to applications received by December 31, 2023  

About EarthGen

EarthGen is a nonprofit organization that equips young people to grow their power as changemakers for a healthy environment. Through EarthGen’s science-based programs based in K-12 schools, students and educators gain knowledge, skills, and experience they need to think critically, collaborate, and take action to create a more just and sustainable world. With a focus on communities impacted by environmental and educational inequities, EarthGen provides resources and opportunities for environmental learning and action to educators, students, and school communities across Washington state.

What You’ll Bring

We are excited to welcome our new Director of Development to EarthGen. As a member of EarthGen’s leadership team, you will help lead the organizational strategy to support current and future development and growth. The ideal candidate is an experienced fundraiser who leads with a community-centric approach to development.

The position is primarily focused on strategy, relationship building, and securing large-scale gifts. The Director of Development will work in close partnership with our Executive Director, Development Manager, and Communications Manager. EarthGen’s development portfolio of approximately $1M includes individual giving, corporate gifts, and grants, about 50% of our current budget. The Director of Development will supervise the Development Manager and be responsible for growing EarthGen’s fundraising revenue to help sustain the organization as EarthGen continues to evolve in the years ahead.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Management & Leadership

  • Design and oversee a comprehensive fundraising strategy to maintain the fiscal health of the organization and help provide future financial resources for growth and expansion.
  • Lead the implementation of community-centric donor engagement practices within the organization through individual giving, corporate gifts and sponsorships, and grant writing.
  • Manage and mentor the team to reach development goals, including continued growth and diversification of revenue.
  • Staff the board Stewardship Committee and provide comprehensive and timely reporting to the board.
  • Partner with the Communications Manager to develop and execute fundraising communications strategy and materials including, but not limited to, newsletters, appeals, and website updates.
  • Develop annual department expense budget and forecast contributed income sources for organizational budget.

Fundraising

  • Leverage existing organizational relationships and lead targeted prospecting to build a robust pipeline of potential funders.
  • Oversee the major individual donor giving strategy, including maintaining a dynamic portfolio of existing and prospect donors with an emphasis on cultivating, stewarding, and soliciting major gifts. 
  • Implement strategies and campaigns to increase the number of donors giving at all levels and grow donor giving year-over-year through engagement and cultivation.
  • Strategically build the foundation and corporate giving programs to identify, cultivate, secure, and report on funding.
  • Manage and support the development responsibilities of the Executive Director, which includes focusing and prioritizing their development-related time and duties.
  • Work in partnership with the board of directors to leverage their networks and support strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of new and existing donors and partners.

Required Qualifications

  • Passion for EarthGen’s mission and a commitment to equity and environmental justice.
  • An understanding of the current philanthropic landscape, and the ability to strategically develop a fundraising strategy that addresses relevant challenges and opportunities.
  • A proven track record of building relationships with current and potential funders and closing five and six-figure gifts with major donors, corporations, and foundations.
  • Experience formally leading a team for shared success in meeting goals and outcomes.
  • Exceptional initiative, vision, and ambition to lead a dynamic development program.
  • Experience developing successful written donor communications and marketing materials.
  • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects at once.
  • An energetic, flexible, collaborative, supportive, and proactive approach to work.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Minimum of five years of experience working in fundraising, community engagement, corporate relations, or related fields.
  • Minimum of two years of people, department, and/or project management, including the ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and foster an environment of creativity and professional growth.

Compensation

The Director of Development is a full-time, salaried position. Some flexibility around work hours will be required, including occasional evenings and weekends. The salary range is $90,000-$100,000 per year plus full benefits (medical/dental/vision, 403b retirement plan). Time off includes 11 paid holidays, seven Sick and Safe Leave days, and 20 vacation days in the first year.

EarthGen is committed to providing a flexible work environment. Our office is located in the Good Shepherd Center in the Wallingford neighborhood in Seattle. This position is full time exempt and will work a hybrid schedule. Residence in Washington and the ability to work in the office a minimum of one day per week is required.

Application Process

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume as one document in Word or PDF format. In your cover letter, outline 1) your experience with the requirements listed above and 2) why you are a good fit for this position.

Email all materials to hr@earthgenwa.org with the subject “Director of Development – [your name].” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority given to those received by December 31, 2023.

Questions?

Reach out to EarthGen’s Interim Executive Director, Laura Collins via email (laura@earthgenwa.org) or schedule a 15 minute Zoom call. 

EarthGen values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and members of ethnic minorities to apply. EarthGen 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, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.