VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT

ABOUT FOUNDATION FOR LOUISIANA

Foundation for Louisiana (FFL) is a social justice philanthropic intermediary founded in 2005 as the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation to invest in the immediate recovery of Louisiana’s communities after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While FFL was established in the wake of these disasters, our founders recognized the need to address the longstanding inequities that have contributed to the life outcomes of the most marginalized of Louisianans for centuries. Our programs grew in response to these needs, and today FFL focuses on philanthropic leadership, racial justice, climate justice, criminal legal reform, economic opportunity, LGBTQ justice, and support for Louisiana's vibrant arts and culture via a three-pronged strategy:

• Invest: FFL makes grants and loans to support organizations and movements throughout Louisiana in our key program areas. We attract and invest resources to support on-the-ground projects, many of which can’t access traditional philanthropy. Through fiscal sponsorship, we support innovative ideas responding to unmet needs throughout Louisiana.
• Build: We build power to effect change in Louisiana communities. We convene community leaders and provide training in organizing, policy change, leadership, public speaking, and facilitation to tackle issues of climate change, police accountability, health disparities, housing access, and more.
• Transform: By fortifying movements, we shift systems and shape regional and national narratives. We re-imagine how our communities are governed and funded to redefine how residents can thrive in them.

Since its inception, FFL has invested $60 million in more than 260 mission-critical nonprofit organizations working across the state towards building a more just Louisiana. As a social justice philanthropic intermediary, FFL’s work unapologetically advances racial justice while moving Louisiana forward. The foundation engages communities in both program co-design as well as its grant-making process to expand opportunities and move communities towards a more just future.

Position Overview

Foundation for Louisiana is seeking a strategic, experienced, and equity-driven Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead our resource development strategy and team. Reporting to the President and CEO and serving as a member of the executive leadership team, the CDO will provide vision and execution for fundraising efforts across institutional giving, individual and collective giving, donor engagement, and communications. The CDO will also help shape organizational strategy and represent FFL with key stakeholders including major donors, foundations, and community partners. This role is ideal for a skilled relationship-builder and confident closer who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The following list of duties and responsibilities is representative and may be subject to evolution and change over time. FFL is committed to an inclusive workplace for all staff, including those with a disability, and is open to discussing disability-related accommodations to essential job functions for qualified applicants.

Leadership and Strategy (30%)

• Lead the design and implementation of multi-year fundraising and communications strategies that align with FFL’s mission and growth goals.
• Manage and mentor the Development team; facilitate a collaborative and accountable team culture.
• Participate in executive leadership team meetings; provide input on strategic planning, financial forecasting, and organizational policy.
• Engage the Board of Directors and support their development involvement.

Major Donor and Funder Relations (35%)

• Build and manage a personal portfolio of top-level individual and institutional funders.
• Lead donor strategy and communications, ensuring alignment with FFL’s equity values.
• Represent FFL at high-level meetings and public events to cultivate and steward donor relationships.

Cross-Team Integration (20%)

• Collaborate with Program, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure timely and effective proposal development, grant reporting, and donor stewardship.
• Champion knowledge-sharing practices and systems that enhance coordination and impact across departments.

Fundraising Systems and Infrastructure (15%)

• Oversee Salesforce donor database, reporting systems, and campaign metrics.
• Develop tools and procedures to improve Development operations, including prospect research, donor tracking, and gift processing.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

The Vice President of Development should possess the following qualifications, skills, and personal attributes:

• Fundraising Leadership: Proven success in building and leading fundraising teams; track record of securing major gifts and institutional support.
• Relationship Management: Exceptional skills in cultivating and stewarding high-level funders.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to design and execute long-range plans with measurable impact.
• Equity and Inclusion: Deep commitment to racial, economic, and gender justice; ability to lead with an anti-oppression lens.
• Project and People Management: Experience supervising diverse teams and managing cross-functional projects.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communicator with ability to synthesize complex ideas for diverse audiences.

WHO YOU ARE

You are an experienced fundraising executive who brings humility, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in community leadership. You are energized by growing philanthropic partnerships and closing transformational gifts. You see fundraising as a tool for justice and storytelling as a way to build power. You love Louisiana, and you believe in the brilliance of its people. You’re excited by both strategy and hands-on collaboration, and you want to help build a more just and joyful future alongside a bold, values-driven team.

This is a full-time, exempt position. Candidates must be based in Louisiana or willing to relocate. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY

Foundation for Louisiana aspires towards freedom for all Louisianans and aims to create a fully inclusive and affirming workplace for all people. We welcome and encourage applications from people who have been involved with the criminal legal system. FFL is committed to providing staff with resources to work from home effectively. Reasonable accommodations may be requested to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the position.

Foundation for Louisiana follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, criminal legal background, and marital status.

This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, members and customers, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, grant partners, board members, and dealings with the general public.

For more information about Foundation for Louisiana visit our website at www.foundationforlouisiana.org