Director of Advancement

Africatown Community Land Trust•Seattle, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) seeks a dynamic, mission-driven Director of Advancement to lead an integrated department encompassing philanthropy, marketing and communications, and community programming. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role aligns business strategy and revenue growth with community impact and ensures external-facing activities advance ACLT’s mission to preserve and develop Black community ownership in Greater Seattle. The Director partners with the real estate development team, strategic partners, and board of directors on individual giving, donor events, major gift solicitation, grants, and strategic partnerships. The position also oversees programming through the William Grose Center, ensuring programs support ACLT’s strategic goals and revenue growth. Following a recent reorganization, the role will initially be hands-on while the successful candidate builds out the team. The Director develops and implements fundraising plans and campaigns, cultivates donors and funders, supports board fundraising, oversees donor communications and database management, and coordinates fundraising events. The position directly supervises the Advancement department, including development, programming, community-building, marketing, and grant-writing staff. It also leads agency marketing and public relations, unifies external communications, and oversees grant proposal and reporting processes. For the William Grose Center, the Director sets strategic direction, works with the Program Manager to develop programs with demonstrable community outcomes, and ensures impact data supports fundraising and communications.

Requirements

Certification or completion certificate in Professional Fundraising, Fundraising Management, or a similar area; or at least five years of experience in fundraising, sponsorship solicitation, and/or strategic partnerships, with evidence of year-over-year donor giving growth.
Experience directly soliciting major gifts of $5,000 or more from individual donors, or equivalent sales experience.
Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of racial equity and social justice issues faced by Black communities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Experience with the grant-writing process and a demonstrated record of successfully procuring grants.
Experience with donor databases and event management software.
Strong time-management and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize responsibilities effectively.
Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively, and to work varied hours including evenings and weekends as necessary.
Knowledge of and interest in financial markets, wealth management, and other areas that may influence philanthropic giving.
Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Demonstrated ability to meet fundraising goals and deadlines under pressure.
Experience supervising or managing staff, preferably in a nonprofit or community organization.
Reliable transportation; some driving may be required.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and must not require visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business management, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field.
Seven or more years of experience in fundraising, sponsorship solicitation, and/or strategic partnerships.
Experience directly soliciting major gifts of $25,000 or more from individual donors, or equivalent sales experience.
Experience overseeing or coordinating community programs or economic mobility initiatives.
Knowledge of the local and national philanthropic landscape.
Experience with prospect research tools.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement ACLT’s capital fundraising plan and annual campaign to meet fundraising goals.
Work with the CEO to facilitate gift solicitations and grant cultivation.
Partner with strategic organizations to identify and pursue collaborative fundraising efforts.
Support the board in its fundraising efforts.
Write and produce donor solicitations, acknowledgments, funder reports, and donor communication materials for print and online channels.
Cultivate individual donors and current and prospective funders, and develop strategies to retain and grow donor contributions.
Oversee donor database management and tools for tracking pledges, gifts, grant commitments, applications, and reporting deadlines.
Coordinate fundraising event logistics using staff and volunteers, participate in ACLT functions and activities, and ensure development representation at community events.
Collaborate with external fundraising professionals.
Directly supervise the Advancement department and ensure employee workplans and performance evaluations are completed on time.
Develop and coach team members, demonstrate ACLT’s core and leadership competencies and values, and foster an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach.
Manage agency marketing and public relations, including periodically updating the website and social media and responding to media requests.
Unify external-facing communications across Development, Marketing and Communications, and Programs, and strengthen the connection between Advancement and real estate efforts through a shared Community Builder role.
Gather and synthesize information; draft proposals, reports, and other communications to foundation, corporate, and government funders.
Maintain ACLT’s library of institutional language and standard proposal attachments, and support partnership directors with attachments for complex project-based funding requests.
Align grant narratives and reporting with outcomes generated by William Grose Center programs.
Oversee the strategic direction of William Grose Center programs and initiatives to align them with ACLT’s mission, fundraising goals, and grant commitments.
Work with the Program Manager to develop programs that produce demonstrable community outcomes and support compelling funder narratives.
Ensure program data, outcomes, and impact metrics are captured and incorporated into development reports, grant proposals, and donor communications.
Identify opportunities for programming to generate or support revenue, partnerships, or community investment.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Generous vacation (PTO) and sick leave.
11 paid holidays and 2 personal holidays.
Matching 401(k) plan up to 4%.
Annual health reimbursement account (HRA) of $1,000.
Flexible spending account (FSA).
Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance.
Employer-paid long-term and short-term disability insurance.
Professional development stipends.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Opportunity to support a life purpose and make a positive impact in the Seattle community.