Director of Development

College Success Foundation•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Development at College Success Foundation-DC (CSF-DC) plays a crucial role in enhancing the CSF-DC fundraising efforts to support its mission of promoting educational equity and success among underserved communities. This position will lead a comprehensive development program that includes annual giving, major gifts, grants, planned giving, corporate partnerships, special events, and broad-based donor engagement. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director and collaborate with CSF-DC leadership and staff to design and implement inclusive fundraising strategies that align with the organization's values of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. This role is vital in fostering a culture of philanthropy that emphasizes the importance of supporting diverse communities and ensuring that our fundraising practices are reflective of our commitment to antiracism.

Requirements

Minimum eight (8) years of relevant professional experience including fundraising, events, institutional philanthropy, and non-profit board development.
Minimum five (5) years prior supervisory or management experience.
Bachelor's degree.
Demonstrated experience in nonprofit fundraising, particularly in major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, grant proposal development, donor stewardship, and special events, with a strong track record of soliciting and securing major gifts.
Ability to develop and execute comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategies. Strong business, political, and organizational acumen, and sound judgment to effectively prioritize development initiatives to meet revenue objectives.
Strong financial management skills, including experience in budgeting, revenue forecasting, and maintaining fiscal accountability within fundraising programs.
Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including donors, Board members, senior leadership, staff, and external partners. Experience managing a diverse portfolio of prospects effectively.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing, donor outreach, and presentations to executive-level audiences. Capable of articulating a compelling case for support in a competitive fundraising environment.
Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing development staff and consultants. Ability to work independently while fostering collaboration across various teams within the organization.
Proficiency with donor/constituent management systems (e.g., Salesforce) and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
High level of organization and attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment using proactive problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Commitment to ethical fundraising practices and the ability to work effectively with diverse communities while supporting an inclusive and respectful organizational culture.
Willingness to attend and participate in community, donor, and CSF/CSF-DC events, including occasional evenings and weekends.
Ability to travel as needed, including but not limited to periodic visits to the CSF National office in Washington State, with travel commitments potentially up to 75% of the time.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director (Programs & Student Services), CSF President and CEO, the CSF-DC Board of Directors, senior staff, and key volunteer leadership to establish and achieve equitable annual and long-term fundraising goals and strategies.
Design and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies that significantly increase revenue from individuals, foundations, corporations, government agencies, and other diverse funding sources, prioritizing equity in outreach and engagement.
Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director in Board relations, including enhancing Board engagement in fundraising efforts and ensuring materials and reports reflect our commitment to inclusivity.
Lead the development, execution, and evaluation of innovative revenue generation models that align with CSF-DC's programs, ensuring these efforts are equitable and accessible to all communities served.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects, working collaboratively with senior leadership and Board members to secure contributions that reflect a commitment to racial and socio-economic equity.
Represent CSF-DC to external audiences, including peer organizations, philanthropic partners, and sector convenings, to increase visibility and support for our mission, emphasizing our engagement with historically marginalized communities.
Oversee the development and management of grant proposals and contracts, ensuring timely compliance with all reporting and stewardship requirements, while maintaining transparency and accountability in our fundraising practices.
Collaborate with College Success Foundation on national and multisite fundraising strategies, facilitating shared learning and alignment with our mission and values.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for fundraising performance and donor engagement; provide regular updates to leadership and the Board, ensuring an inclusive approach to assessing progress.
Partner in annual budgeting and planning processes to align fundraising goals and strategies with CSF-DC's programmatic needs and financial sustainability.
Develop revenue projections and contingency plans to mitigate risks associated with fundraising, addressing historical inequities in funding sources.
Partner with program and finance teams to translate impact data into compelling fundraising narratives and proposals that resonate with diverse donors.
Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development to the Development Team, fostering an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and experiences.
Collaborate with the Executive Director and CSF-DC Leadership Team to ensure cohesive communication and integrated fundraising strategies that uphold our commitment to a strong, mission-aligned brand.
Oversee the administration of Salesforce (or other CRM systems) for donor records and stewardship, ensuring data integrity and adherence to best practices in equity-focused fundraising.
Foster an organizational culture of philanthropy that encourages participation from staff, leadership, and Board members in development efforts, promoting shared accountability for fundraising success and reflecting our commitment to equity and justice.