Job description

Title: Development Director

Reports to: Executive Director

Type: Full-Time

Supervises: Marketing & Communications Manager

Category: Exempt

About Upward Scholars

Upward Scholars is the only nonprofit in the Bay Area providing financial, academic, career development, and holistic support to low-income adults transitioning from ESL and adult schools to community colleges and universities. As a result, students continue their education, secure higher-paying jobs, and serve as role models and advocates for their children. Learn more about our impact here.

Job Summary

Upward Scholars is a mission-driven organization that helps students overcome the financial and academic barriers that may limit their success. Whether it’s immigration status, lack of a college degree, or being stuck working multiple low-wage jobs just to make ends meet, Upward Scholars students face insurmountable obstacles to earning a family-sustaining wage. All staff is dedicated to creating a high-performing work culture that centers and supports the people directly impacted by Upward Scholars’ work. Another core cultural tenet is that the work is characterized by a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Typical duties and responsibilities consist of, but are not limited to, the following:

• Work effectively with the Executive Director, board, and staff to foster a culture of philanthropy organization-wide so that Upward Scholars’ values, mission, and vision are integrated into fundraising, and all stakeholders feel responsible for ensuring organizational health, effectiveness, and sustainability.
• Establish goals, develop activities, and create programming to maintain and grow Upward Scholars’ individual giving program, including major gifts.
• Manage data-driven strategies for annual giving, major giving, monthly giving, and planned giving that consistently increase annual revenue in major gifts by at least 10%, with an annual gift renewal rate of at least 75%.
• Create and manage a solicitation calendar and direct strategic participation of key staff (including the Development Director) and board members in individual donor development activities.
• Supervise and collaborate with Upward Scholars communications staff on a messaging and communications strategy for building a sustained base of annual individual donors; ensure that strategies are implemented across all fund development functions; and evaluate the effectiveness of strategies, including the organization's annual giving campaigns (currently two per year), including mailings and fundraising drives.
• Plan and implement donor-related stewardship and cultivation events and activities.
• Coordinate, manage, and grow relationships with existing and prospective donors, emphasizing increasing donor commitment and securing multi-year commitments.
• Collaborate with Upward Scholars operations staff to ensure timely and accurate gift entry and acknowledgment process, including documentation and follow-up of verbal and written pledges.
• Use internal data to analyze, evaluate and prepare reports on the progress and success of individual giving against annual goals.
• Utilize existing development databases and/or identify needs for upgrades to oversee all administrative aspects of identification, cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship of all individual donors.
• Maintain confidentiality of funder, donor, and budget information.
• Prepare donor profiles (prospective and current) to be used by Executive Director and Board members when going to public events and help track contact made and follow-up needed.
• Develop fund development budget annually with the Executive Director and Fund Development & Marketing Committee.
• Build the planned giving program focusing on deferred gifts such as bequests and annuities.
• Understand Upward Scholars’ mission, goals, and programming to effectively identify, research, monitor, and engage prospective donors.
• Plan and lead Board Fund Development Committee meetings, working in partnership with Committee Chair.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive corporate giving/engagement program with current and prospective businesses.
• With the team, develop and implement marketing and communications strategies for corporate partnerships.
• Solicit in-kind donations for various events, programs, and projects.

Additionally, all members of the Upward Scholars team are expected to

• Plan, coordinate, and participate in events for students, donors, and the community with the team.
• Provide content ideas for eNews (e.g., newsletters, social media channels), website, and presentations in support of program awareness, student recruitment and retention, and fundraising.
• Participate in staff meetings and make presentations to the Board.
• Perform other related duties as necessary or assigned.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate has extensive experience overseeing nonprofit fundraising in the Bay Area. They are proactive, detail-oriented, and focused on measurable results. Additional qualifications considered are:

• Proven track record of developing successful fundraising strategies and results, particularly in major gift fundraising.
• Goal-driven “self-starter” who thrives on initiating donor visits and fundraising calls and preparing the Executive Director, Board members, and staff to be fundraising ambassadors for the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and hold accountable individuals and teams to fundraising goals.
• Working knowledge of development best practices, trends in development, fundraising tools and technology (including donor databases), and donor research.
• Understanding of the Silicon Valley and Alameda County philanthropic culture and philanthropic connections.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent training/experience and a minimum of 4-years of work experience in development for a nonprofit or similar organization
• Experience fundraising for a $1 million+ budget.
• Demonstrated success in raising significant capital annually from both individual and corporate sources.
• Creative and independent strategic thinking with the ability to proactively develop new ideas, cultivate buy-in with other staff members, and manage implementation and assessment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively and build relationships with internal and external constituencies, including colleagues and current and prospective donors.
• Strong written and oral communication skills to express Upward Scholars’ mission and goals with clarity and persuasion.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational, and time management skills.
• Quick learner and creative problem solver.
• Experience using Microsoft Office/Google Suite or similar software and Mac/PC hardware knowledge, as well as CRM databases (i.e., Salesforce).
• Sensitivity to the challenges faced by under-served populations.
• Experience working collaboratively and successfully with people and organizations from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and a broad range of ideological positions and religious views.
• Work under general supervision, exercising significant independent judgment.
• Desired skill: bilingual in English and at least one other language spoken by most program participants, e.g., Spanish.

Additional Requirements

• Must be authorized to work in the United States of America.
• Must be willing to flex schedule to engage donors when they’re available; this may involve occasional evening and weekend work.
• Passion for education and Upward Scholars’ mission.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Access to reliable transportation to donor, program, and partner sites via a personal vehicle with a valid CA driver’s license, public transit, or other means.

Compensation & Benefits

For Full-Time hires, the salary for this position is commensurate with experience, within the $80k-$125k range. This job requires some onsite/community-based work, but most work can be done remotely from home. This is a Full-Time position with excellent health, dental and vision benefits, as well as paid holidays and vacation/sick days. Candidates from beyond the San Francisco Bay Area are encouraged to apply, but funds are unavailable for relocation or housing assistance.

To Apply

The position is available immediately. Please submit your resume and cover letter to careers[at]upwardscholars.org.

Please note: This position has been designated as “sensitive” and requires a pre-employment background check.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact careers[at]upwardscholars.org if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include changing the application process, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Failure to provide the information as required on the application and/or instructions to apply shall immediately disqualify an applicant from employment consideration.

What to Expect

Applicants who meet the position requirements will be evaluated to identify individuals whose qualifications, depth of experience, and education most closely relate to the stated job requirements. Only qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview.

The position is open until filled.

The skills listed above are comprehensive but not all-inclusive. We understand candidates may possess a subset of the skills listed or closely related job skill experience and requirements. If a candidate's experience and skills match a substantial subsection of the position requirements, they are encouraged to apply for the position.

Upward Scholars is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Upward Scholars strives to provide a diverse and inclusive environment that fosters cultural awareness, mutual understanding, and respect. Upward Scholars is interested in candidates who will contribute to the diversity and equal opportunity in the nonprofit sector through their work. Qualified women and members of underrepresented minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Redwood City, CA 94063: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Nonprofit Fundraising: 4 years (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Redwood City, CA 94063

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