Director of Development

Job Title: Director of Development

Position: Full Time, Exempt

Reports to: Chief Advancement Officer

Location: Cleveland, OH

About DigitalC

DigitalC is a nonprofit technology social enterprise headquartered in Cleveland that has built and now operates America’s fastest-growing community-based broadband network. Our purpose is simple: we connect people. We deliver high-speed home internet and digital skills training at citywide scale in neighborhoods long underserved by traditional providers—proving that a nonprofit model can outperform legacy telecom approaches. In only 18 months, we completed the buildout of a citywide network and connected thousands of households, establishing what is now recognized nationally as The Cleveland Model.

Our mission is to bridge the digital divide—for good—by pairing world-class infrastructure with the systems and support residents need to fully participate in the digital age. We treat broadband access not as the foundation for opportunity, stability, and growth. Our vision is to change the world, one connection at a time.

Job Overview

The Director of Development will support the organization’s fundraising and public funding efforts by helping lead strategies that expand individual donor engagement, strengthen development operations, and advance government affairs initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, this position will cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors, support fundraising campaigns, and help build development infrastructure that drives sustainable revenue growth. The Director of Development will also support the organization’s government affairs strategy by building relationships with public sector partners and identifying public funding opportunities aligned with the organization’s mission. This position will work closely with the Advancement team and executive leadership to ensure coordinated philanthropic and public funding strategies.

.Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to grow individual donor support.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with individual donors.
• Build and manage a pipeline of mid-level and emerging major donors.
• Strengthen donor engagement to increase long-term philanthropic support.
• Support the planning and execution of fundraising campaigns and special initiatives.
• Coordinate donor engagement activities and cultivation opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Advancement team to expand donor participation.
• Support the organization’s government affairs and public funding strategy.
• Build relationships with local, state, and federal government partners.
• Monitor public funding opportunities and relevant policy developments.
• Coordinate public funding applications and reporting.
• Strengthen development operations including donor tracking and fundraising analytics.
• Maintain accurate donor records in the organization’s CRM system.
• Collaborate with program and leadership teams to communicate impact and funding priorities.
• Partner with the Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations to align fundraising strategies.
• Support the Chief Advancement Officer in achieving advancement goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred in nonprofit management, public policy, communications, or a related field.
• 6–8+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, government relations, or public funding strategy.
• Experience managing donor relationships and supporting fundraising initiatives.
• Familiarity with government funding processes or public sector partnerships preferred.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with donor databases or CRM systems used in nonprofit development.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your health, financial security, and time away from work.

• Medical coverage for all full-time employees, with dental and vision coverage fully paid for employees and their dependents.
• Employer paid short and long term disability, life insurance, and AD&D coverage.
• 401(k) plan with a competitive company match.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and paid holidays.