Development Director

Turning Green is seeking a Development Director to lead and grow funding for our Turning Green programs, including Project Green Challenge (PGC) and Conscious Kitchen (CK). This role is responsible for owning and executing the fundraising strategy for both, from the ground up, including grants, major gifts, and partnerships.

The Development Director will serve as the primary driver of fundraising, building systems, cultivating donors, securing funding, and establishing long-term sustainability. Working in close partnership with the Executive Director, this person will translate Turning Green’s vision, programs, and impact into a strong, repeatable funding engine. Additionally, the Development Director will also closely collaborate with the Program Director of Conscious Kitchen, to manage the development efforts for CK.

About Turning Green

Turning Green is a California-based nonprofit advancing climate solutions through youth leadership and food systems transformation.

Through Project Green Challenge (PGC), we empower young people around the world to become informed, confident climate leaders—equipping them with the tools, mentorship, and community needed to drive real change.

Through Conscious Kitchen (CK), we partner with public school districts, organic farmers, and food system leaders to bring fresh, local, organic, and scratch-cooked meals to K–12 students across California—strengthening regional supply chains, advancing food equity, and making climate-smart school food the norm.

Together, our programs form an integrated ecosystem that centers youth leadership, regenerative food systems, and community resilience.

Position Overview

Turning Green is seeking an experienced, strategic Development Director to lead and grow funding across our organization, including Project Green Challenge and Conscious Kitchen.

This is a senior, hands-on role for a seasoned fundraiser who can build and execute a comprehensive development strategy—from the ground up—encompassing grants, major gifts, and strategic partnerships. The Development Director will serve as the primary driver of fundraising, responsible for building systems, cultivating relationships, securing funding, and establishing long-term financial sustainability.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role works in close partnership with leadership to translate Turning Green’s vision, programs, and impact into a strong, repeatable funding engine. The Development Director will also collaborate closely with the Program Director of Conscious Kitchen to support and manage CK’s development efforts.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives with ownership and accountability, enjoys relationship-building, and is motivated by mission-driven work with both local and global reach.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

• Own and execute the fundraising strategy for Project Green Challenge and Conscious Kitchen.
• Develop and manage an annual development plan, including timelines, benchmarks, and revenue goals.
• Build and steward diversified revenue streams with a strong emphasis on grants and major gifts.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, institutional funders, family foundations, and strategic partners.

Grant Management

• Research, qualify, and maintain a robust pipeline of grant prospects aligned with PGC and CK.
• Lead the full grant lifecycle, including proposal development, submission, reporting, and compliance.
• Collaborate with program staff and interns to gather outcomes, stories, and metrics for proposals and reports.

Major Gifts & Donor Stewardship

• Manage donor pipelines, including outreach, meeting preparation, solicitations, and follow-up.
• Draft donor communications, proposals, one-pagers, and customized pitch materials.
• Design and implement thoughtful stewardship strategies that deepen engagement and retention.
• Prepare and support Executive Director involvement in select donor relationships as appropriate.

Development Operations & Systems

• Implement and manage a CRM or donor tracking system.
• Create templates and processes for proposals, reports, acknowledgements, and donor updates.
• Maintain accurate records and provide regular fundraising reports to leadership.

Cross-Organizational Collaboration

• Work closely with Turning Green staff and interns to align fundraising with program goals, partnerships, and storytelling.
• Integrate development priorities into broader organizational planning and communications.

Qualifications

Required

• 4–6 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or relationship management.
• Demonstrated success securing grants, major gifts, or strategic partnerships.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills with the ability to translate impact into compelling funding narratives.
• Experience building fundraising systems, processes, or pipelines from the ground up.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with executive leadership.
• Ability to work hybrid (2–3 days/week in Sausalito) and travel for donor meetings or events as needed.

Preferred

• Experience with funders focused on climate, food systems, youth leadership, education, or sustainability.
• Familiarity with donor databases or CRM platforms.
• Knowledge of relationship-based fundraising and stewardship best practices.

Application Process

Interested applicants should apply with a resume and cover letter. Turning Green encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Please submit materials to info@turninggreen.org with the subject line:

“Development Director, Turning Green Application.”

We are a generous employer with benefits that will take care of you. In addition to a competitive salary, we provide:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement program
• Ten (10) days of paid vacation per year to start (accrued monthly)
• Five (5) paid sick days annually and up to two (2) personal days
• Hybrid work flexibility (remote and office, with possibility of some travel)