Director of Development

Job Description for Director of Development

Location: Flexible remote work for candidates in the United States

Status: Full-Time (40hrs per week/flexible)

Salary: 80,000-92,000

The Climate Initiative (TCI) is a scientifically-based education organization aimed to help solve the climate crisis. The uniqueness of TCI's approach is its focus on educating and empowering youth. We believe that the generation most at risk will shift politics, stimulate solutions, and ultimately be agents of change. We also believe that it is important to educate about climate change in a nonpartisan way. Our vision is to create a cohesive voice at the grassroots level to push for climate-friendly policy and action in this time of crisis.

The Director of Development is responsible for building and executing the development plan and implementing the information technology systems (Salesforce) to support the function. The Director of Development will report to TCI's Executive Director but will work closely with the Director of Communications and Marketing and the Director of Operations to ensure an integrated approach.

The ideal candidate for this position is highly collaborative and passionate about climate change and preserving our natural environment and activating youth voices across the globe. They are an effective fundraiser across multiple segments (individual, corporate, foundation, and special events), possess stellar grant writing skills, champion a vision for cause marketing in partnership with the Director of Communications and Marketing, and, ideally, have strong Salesforce skills that will enable TCI to reach its mission goals.

As the IPCC notes, 'Impacts of climate change are likely to be felt most acutely not only by the poor, but also by certain segments of the population, such as the elderly, the very young, the powerless, indigenous peoples, and recent immigrants, particularly if they are linguistically isolated'. TCI values diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and we greatly value our workforce reflecting the communities in which we are activating.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute TCI's annual fundraising strategy, including specific plans and targets, metrics for monitoring and evaluation, and reporting frequency
• Build and manage a relationship-based fundraising program:
  • Maintain and steward a personal portfolio of key donors in accordance with TCI's high standards
  • Develop and deepen donor relationships using moves management techniques, including tailored initiatives for leadership prospects
  • Build and refine individual strategies to identify, prioritize, cultivate, solicit, and steward all donors and prospects
  • Develop and implement planned giving strategies to ensure long-term organizational sustainability
• Lead fundraising campaigns and donor engagement:
  • Responsible for reaching an annual fundraising goal of at least $1.5 million by the end of 2025
  • Conduct research, prospecting, and applications/grants to multiple sources of funding
  • Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with donors, providing frequent updates on TCI's activities and results
  • Track all donor-related engagements in Salesforce and utilize the platform for gift processing
• In partnership with the Marketing Director, develop and execute a cause marketing strategy that enhances revenue
• Organize and lead special events (virtual and in-person) that support donor cultivation
• Serve as a spokesperson for TCI when public speaking opportunities arise
• Regularly report to TCI's Executive Director on fundraising results and efforts, using analytics and statistical approaches
• Oversee Development Associate
• Serve as the staff leadership for the TCI Board of Directors' Development Committee

Success Metrics for This Role:

• Development of a 3-year fundraising strategy (2025-2028), to include cause marketing
• Progressively growing annual fundraising success, with goal of $5 million in annual fundraising by the end of the first three years
• Maintain active relationships with a portfolio of 75-100 major donors
• 100% of donor data is both accurate and reflected in Salesforce
• Quarterly meeting (or more often as needed) of the TCI Board Development Committee
• Working with the Executive Director and Board Development Committee, ensuring that periodic (i.e. once a year or more) contact, stewardship, and cultivation of key donors takes place
• Working in partnership with Marketing, development and delivery of monthly donor communications
• Achievement of donor retention levels above industry standard
• High level of engagement, collaboration, and belonging within the TCI team

Desired Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree is required; Master's degree is a plus
• 5+ years of fundraising, development or sales experience
• Experience in grantmaking and grant applications is a plus
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational, managerial, and communication skills (including writing, speaking, and digital communications)
• Experience managing relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Experience using Salesforce
• Experience communicating with and presenting to diverse audiences, including but not limited to donors, foundations, board members, employees, and community-based organizations
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Creative, innovative thinker with bold, outside-the-box thinking welcomed
• Highly collaborative, flexible team player
• Passion for climate action and the mission of TCI
• Desire to be part of an entrepreneurial team