Director of Development

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: California Youth Connection (CYC) was founded in 1988 by foster youth and adult supporters. It has evolved into a vibrant statewide youth leadership, advocacy, and training organization with county-based chapters throughout California, satellite offices, and an annual budget of nearly $2 million. CYC empowers and educates current and former foster youth, providing them with leadership and advocacy opportunities to be the lead agents of change for system improvements throughout the state through legislative, policy, and practice change.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Director of Development will be responsible for strategizing and coordinating efforts to reach financial and organizational growth objectives by ensuring the financial stability of CYC. The Director of Development customarily and regularly exercises discretion and independent judgment in leading the development efforts and works in collaboration with members, staff, volunteers, Board members, and youth leaders across the state to build and lead multi-year development plans. As a skilled narrator, strong writer, and people person, the Director of Development will motivate supporters to advance CYC's work at the intersection of youth leadership and advocacy in foster care and intersecting systems. The position is responsible for meeting fundraising goals and building new donor pipelines, motivating and leading staff across the organization to engage in fundraising efforts, increasing the capacity of fundraising operations, and contributing to strategic conversations about growth. The Director of Development may supervise and direct the work of one or more full-time employees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

FUNDRAISING STRATEGY AND DONOR RELATIONS

• Lead multi-year development planning, including creating and implementing effective strategies and structures for raising funds across diversified revenue streams.
• Oversee and introduce data-driven processes and systems to support ambitious goals.
• Creatively cultivate, solicit, and steward new major donor prospects and current major donors, with a focus on donors with capacity to give $1,000+.
• Build a broader movement of donors, including securing new major gifts to support campaigns.

FUNDRAISING OPERATIONS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Research revenue opportunities and economic trends, analyze internal operations, and identify areas for cost reduction and process enhancement.
• Prepare detailed reports for funding calls, management team, and the rest of the organization.
• Set and achieve measurable quarterly and annual fundraising goals, such as pipeline metrics, retention goals, cultivation touchpoints, and number of proposals submitted.
• Build and manage a pipeline of new foundations and major donor prospects.

MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT

• Lead daily development operations and collaboration efforts by ensuring staff are performing tasks consistent with their job duties and progressing towards completing organizational goals.
• Interview, hire, build, and sustain a staff community that encourages understanding and implementation of organizational values, respect, collaboration, teamwork, and healthy conflict resolution.
• Ensure direct reports are properly onboarded, oriented, and understand CYC’s policies, procedures, and logistics.
• Implement a culture of performance management and coaching to ensure staff are managed effectively and held accountable for high performance. Provide ongoing, timely, and direct feedback about performance.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field; MBA and/or other finance-related degrees and fundraising certification(s) preferred.
• At least five to ten years of nonprofit fundraising, business development, marketing, community organizing, or partnership experience.
• Proven record of accomplishment of securing new major donor pledges and gifts by using creative, customized donor-centered strategies.

OUR TEAM: CULTURE & BENEFITS: CYC is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where CYC members and staff feel heard, supported, valued, and share their authentic brilliance to move our mission forward. We are committed to addressing issues of racism and inequity internally and externally. We rely on creativity, flexibility, listening, critical thinking, and humor to bring out the best in each other. Membership development and bringing to life the youth-led, legislative and policy change model are deeply woven into the fabric of the CYC community and culture. We also appreciate each other for giving and receiving feedback and setting goals.

LOCATION: This is a hybrid remote position that will involve working from home, in the field, and at various meeting and conference locations throughout California, which will be scheduled between the employee and the Executive Director. Regular work hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some weekend and evening work may be required.

COMPENSATION: The annual salary for this position is $90,000. Because we recognize that the practice of salary negotiation can contribute to pay inequities, this salary is non-negotiable. Full compensation includes a generous benefits package with paid health benefits (medical, dental, vision, and chiropractic), vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, paid Wellbeing Days, a Winter Break, life insurance, and an employer contribution to the CYC retirement plan.

CANDIDATES FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS WELCOME: CYC strongly encourages people from all backgrounds—especially people of color, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, former systems-impacted youth, and people with disabilities—to apply for open positions. We welcome all applicants, especially those with direct experience in foster care, intersecting systems, and youth-led initiatives. We believe that systems can be transformed and are looking for individuals who share this vision and want to work in a collaborative, continuous learning environment. Most importantly, no matter your background, the person selected for this position must embrace, advocate for, and deeply value racial equity. We seek applicants with a fierce commitment to racial and social justice to join our team as we expand our statewide movement.