Development Manager (Fundraising)

Location: Oakland, CA, with some hybrid flexibility (minimum of 3 days in the Oakland office)

Travel: 10% local travel anticipated, with the possibility of light, additional travel within California, outside of the Bay Area

Reports to: Executive Director

Role: Regular, full-time, exempt position

The Oakland Community Land Trust (OakCLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building resident power through community governed land while expanding permanently affordable housing and economic development opportunities for low-income Oakland residents. OakCLT’s current work includes preventing displacement through a continuum of resident-controlled housing preservation options (including single-family and multi-family housing cooperative programs), the acquisition and stewardship of land for urban agriculture and other community-serving uses, and supporting the leadership of existing OakCLT residents.

OakCLT is comprised of a small, nimble team and offers an ideal environment for employees who want to see the immediate impact of their work, and who prioritize the opportunity for ownership within their scope of work.

This is a newly created role bringing the opportunity for direct involvement in:

• Defining the shape and scope of fundraising activities
• Aligning development strategy directly with the organization’s values
• Designing, building, and executing development programs and systems

Position Overview: We are seeking a Bay-Area based, motivated and strategic Development Manager to join our team. This resource-mobilizing position plays a critical role in advancing our fundraising efforts through grant writing, donor cultivation, and securing major gifts—including non-cash contributions such as securities and real estate. The ideal candidate is a skilled fundraiser and relationship builder with strong writing abilities, an understanding of complex gift vehicles, and a deep commitment to racial equity and community-centered wealth redistribution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Donor Relations & Major Gifts

• Identify, research, and qualify major gift prospects, including individuals, families, and institutions
• Develop and implement cultivation strategies for individual donors and institutional partners
• Conduct donor meetings, presentations, and site visits
• Steward existing donors through personalized communication and engagement opportunities
• Collaborate with Executive Director to solicit large gifts
• Engage donors who are motivated by wealth redistribution, racial and economic justice, and shifting power and resources to advance community-ownership of land
• Promote planned/legacy giving options (bequests, beneficiary designations)

Grant Writing & Management

• Research foundation and government funding opportunities that align with the OakCLT’s work
• Write, edit, and submit compelling letters of inquiry and grant proposals to foundations, corporations, and government entities
• Manage grant calendar and ensure timely submission of reports and renewals
• Track grant outcomes and maintain accurate records in the development database
• Cultivate and sustain relationships with program officers and foundation contacts

Non-Cash Contributions & Real Estate Gifts

• Cultivate and solicit donors of appreciated assets including stocks, securities, and mutual funds
• Identify and pursue opportunities for outright real estate donations and charitable bargain sales that align with the organization's land acquisition strategy and community development goals
• Engage with owners and investors interested in transferring property ownership to support community control of land and housing justice
• Educate donors on the tax benefits and mission impact of non-cash giving
• Develop and maintain relationships with professional advisors (estate and financial planners, attorneys, accountants, real estate agents) who can refer potential donors

Fundraising Strategy & Movement Building

• Contribute to annual fundraising planning and goal-setting
• Collaborate with program staff to gather impact stories and data
• Support the development of marketing and communication materials that promote non-cash giving opportunities
• Build relationships within networks focused on wealth redistribution, resource generation, and solidarity economy principles

Data Tracking and Analysis

• Maintain timely and accurate donor records and gift processing in our CRM
• Work with Finance Director to produce quarterly analyses on fundraising progress; analyze giving trends and provide recommendations for growth

QUALIFICATIONS:

Professional Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, and/or donor organizing
• Demonstrated fundraising success in grant writing and/or securing major gifts
• Experience working with CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, etc.)

Core Competencies:

• A strong understanding of land and housing justice and the role of Community Land Trusts in advancing economic justice and racial equity
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders; ability to articulate the intersection of wealth redistribution, land ownership, and racial justice
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills; ability to synthesize complex concepts into clear, persuasive narratives
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with (or willingness to learn) non-cash giving mechanisms, including stock transfers and real estate concepts (e.g., deeds, bargain sales)
• Knowledge of planned giving vehicles and estate planning concepts
• Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape in the Bay Area and California

Health: OakCLT covers 100% of employee premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage. Dependent premiums are covered at 100% for dental and vision. Employees may enroll dependents in the medical plan on a pre-tax basis at their own expense.

Retirement: Simple IRA with employer match, up to 3%

Generous Time Off:

• Approximately 25 days accrued, paid vacation days in year one, increasing after the first anniversary to 30 accrued, paid vacation days
• 8+ paid sick days per year
• Paid family leave
• 18 observed holidays per calendar year