Development Director

Description

Title: Development Director

Term: Full-time

Compensation: The salary range for this role begins at $70,000 annually

Location: Remote for now, with preference for ability to work from Cambridge, MA office post-pandemic

Position Overview: Solstice Initiative is a nationwide nonprofit that empowers low-income and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities towards a just and inclusive clean energy transition. As the fossil fuel industry continues to exacerbate the climate crisis, these US communities bear the brunt of its effects while spending a disproportionate share of their income on their utility bills. Though rooftop solar is commonly considered a remedy to these systemic problems, 80% of Americans can’t access it because they do not own a home, have the right rooftop, or have the ability to finance it.

That’s why Solstice deploys community solar: an equitable solution to break fossil fuel dependence and decrease high energy costs, providing access to clean energy to anyone with an electric bill. Community solar enables households to subscribe to a portion of a solar farm in their community, allowing them to reap the benefits of local clean energy and monthly energy bill savings. Solstice works at the nexus of clean energy and social justice to provide BIPOC and low-income households with accessible and affordable community solar projects, to research and innovate solutions that address exclusion within the clean energy movement, and to advocate for inclusive, green policies in every state. Together, we will make solar accessible to everyone.

We are excited to expand our Development and Communications team, which includes a Development Associate and the Executive Director, by adding a Development Director to the team to oversee individual giving and guide our overall fundraising strategy. As a six year old but growing nonprofit, this is an exciting opportunity to lead on our fundraising strategy and grow a development program from the ground up.

This role will report to the Executive Director.

Requirements

Responsibilities include:

• Work closely with Solstice Initiative Executive Director to execute annual fundraising and communications strategies
• Collaborate with the Solstice Initiative Board and Co-Founders and actively engage the Board Fundraising Committee
• Meet quarterly and annual fundraising goals and KPIs
• Develop and manage strategies and timelines for all fundraising activities to ensure strategic plans and critical fundraising processes are carried out in a timely manner
• Identify new individual, corporate, and foundation supporters
• Cultivate relationships with existing and potential donors and ask them to support the mission of Solstice
• Lead projects related to the design, printing, and distribution of marketing and communications materials for development efforts, including email campaigns and annual reports
• Oversee the planning and execution of fundraising events and additional creative donor-centered programming
• Work with the Development Associate to coordinate the grant calendar ensuring timely submission of grant proposals and reports to foundations
• Review grant proposals and assist in writing grant budget proposals
• Serve as direct supervisor to Development Associate and any future Development/Communications Team hires

Qualifications:

• 5-10 years experience in fundraising, including managing a portfolio of donors and prospecting new donors; preference for work in small or medium size shops (i.e. experience with budgets of $1M-$5M)
• Experience with fundraising events, donor solicitation and cultivation strategies, email fundraising and social media
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including ability to make effective and persuasive verbal and written presentations to donors, staff, industry peers, board members, and others
• Expertise with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Suite, fundraising software such as Salesforce
• Ability to manage multiple tasks/projects at the same time
• Ability to work independently to develop and execute priorities and also work together in a dynamic team environment
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Experience with personnel management
• Ability and willingness to travel (when safe to do so) for events and training
• Commitment to intersectional social justice, namely environmental, racial, and economic equity

Benefits

• A deep understanding of the environmental justice space, particularly energy justice
• A workplace that prioritizes equity and balance
• Competitive benefits package and other perks, including access to leadership development funds

Solstice was founded to advance equity and inclusion in America. We are committed to living those values, not just in the work we do to promote environmental and energy justice, but in how we grow as an organization. We seek always to expand leadership opportunities for marginalized communities in the global transition to clean energy.

Solstice is an equal opportunity employer. We hire, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, national origin, genetics, veteran status, or any of the other characteristics that give each of us unique perspective and capacities.

We’re a team of mission-driven, passionate and dedicated individuals. We’ve fostered an inclusive and fun culture through regular socials and even solar farm field trips. Apply today and get to know us!