Director of Development

ABOUT AIM HIGH

At Aim High, students unlock their limitless potential by participating in a multi-year summer joyful, enrichment program that empowers middle school students navigating systemic barriers, igniting their love of learning and yielding real results—98% of Aim High alumni graduate high school and go on to college. Grounded in the CORE Values (Community, Opportunity, Respect and High Expectations), every student feels seen and supported. Aim High gives students the confidence to succeed in high school and beyond. Aim High also fosters a supportive professional community in which educators - from aspiring to experienced - grow personally and professionally.

Aim High staff are dedicated to making a positive difference in the world. We are a team of collaborative, creative and mission-driven individuals who respect and encourage each other. Guided by the Aim High CORE values of community, opportunity, respect, and high expectations, we work together every day to narrow the opportunity gaps in Northern California. For more about Aim High, please visit www.aimhigh.org.

Position Summary

Aim High is growing—and with that growth comes a bold vision for philanthropy. We are seeking a Director of Development to lead two key areas of fundraising: institutional giving and events. This newly created role will report to the Vice President of Development and directly manage a Grants Manager and an Events Consultant. The Director will also work closely with the Major Gifts Officer and Communications Manager to ensure coordinated, compelling donor engagement and storytelling.

This position is responsible for helping raise approximately $3.5 million annually, with a focus on foundation and corporate partnerships and donor-facing events. The Director will serve as the lead relationship manager for institutional funders, building and stewarding key philanthropic partnerships to advance Aim High’s mission. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, a collaborative spirit, team management experience, and a track record in securing institutional support and producing mission-aligned events.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Grants & Institutional Giving

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for Aim High’s institutional partners, including foundations, corporations, and government entities.
• Oversee and refine the organization’s institutional giving strategy, managing a robust portfolio of funders and prospects.
• Supervise and support the Grants Manager in drafting compelling proposals, reports, and funder communications.
• Cultivate and steward funder relationships, including leading meetings, preparing talking points for leadership, and coordinating site visits.
• Collaborate with Program and Finance teams to align proposals with organizational needs and outcomes.
• Ensure accurate tracking of deadlines, revenue projections, and progress in the CRM (Salesforce preferred).

Events & Donor Engagement

• Lead the planning and execution of strategic donor-facing events, including the annual benefit, cultivation gatherings, and site visits.
• Supervise the Events Consultant, ensuring events reflect Aim High’s mission and fundraising priorities.
• Collaborate with the Communications Manager to align messaging, branding, and event strategy.
• Coordinate with the Major Gifts Officer to leverage events as cultivation tools for individual donors.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a key member of the Development leadership team.
• Partner with the VP of Development on strategy, goal setting, and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Provide mentorship and day-to-day management to direct reports, fostering accountability and professional growth.
• Collaborate closely with the Major Gifts Officer and Communications Manager to support integrated campaigns and storytelling.

Other duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with leadership in institutional giving, events, or both
• Experience managing funder relationships and stewarding long-term philanthropic partnerships
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other CRMs preferred
• Proven ability to craft and execute successful fundraising strategies, with clear results
• Experience managing staff or consultants, with strong team-building and project management skills
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills
• Strong collaboration skills, particularly across departments and with fundraising colleagues
• Commitment to Aim High’s mission and values, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

Job Details:

• Reports To: Vice President of Development
• Direct Reports: Grants Manager, Events Consultant
• Collaborates Closely With: Major Gifts Officer, Communications Manager
• Location: 601 Van Ness Avenue, Suite F/G San Francisco, CA 94102
• Classification: Full-Time (40 hours per week); Exempt from overtime
• Travel: Some travel throughout the Bay Area and Tahoe for donor meetings and events
• Pay Range: $130K-150K depending on experience
• Benefits: 100% employer-paid health insurance (medical/dental/vision) for employees, retirement match, and generous paid time off, including a winter closure

At Aim High, we recognize that striving to be a truly anti-racist, diverse, equitable, and inclusive (A.D.E.I.) organization requires deep and long-term commitment. We know that we will make mistakes, and we are dedicated to learning from them. We ask our broader Aim High team – including staff, educators, board members, and supporters – to encourage, challenge, and join us in living out our commitment to A.D.E.I.

Aim High is an equal opportunity employer. Aim High seeks diversity in its community and affords equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, citizenship status, medical condition, or any other legally protected status.