Development Director

About Project EATS

Founded in 2009 by artist Linda Goode Bryant, Project EATS (PE) is a living installation of art, food, and human ties. Project EATS is a non-profit social enterprise that joins with residents and stakeholders to use the resources they have to create what they need.

Project EATS works to create community-based food value chains, consisting of small-plot, high-yield farms; raw, prepared food, and agricultural products; distributors; retail outlets; and waste reduction methods to increase access and consumption of locally grown, healthy, affordable food in food-insecure communities in New York City and beyond.

Through partnerships, creativity, collaboration, and innovation, Project EATS seeks to support, strengthen, and extend the human ties and economies of small communities and their ability to shape the conditions they need to live healthy lives and thrive where they live.

About the role - Development Director

This role will continue to build and grow the development function at Project EATS by assisting in the planning, executing, and managing of fundraising campaigns, events, and donor relations. The Development Director works closely with the senior team and Board President to identify potential donors, maintain donor databases, and prepare grant applications and reports. In this role, you will leverage a variety of skills, from developing creative engagement solutions to attracting prospective supporters to creating a communications system to ensure ongoing touchpoints with our existing base of supporters. Your attention to detail also gives way to high emotional EQ as you pick up on the small things, knowing it goes a long way to be personable and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

This role presents a unique opportunity to contribute to an organization that has a strong fundraising track record but is seeking to formalize and enhance its development approaches. With an annual budget of approximately 3 million, there is no immediate pressure to increase our raised revenue. We understand that successful development and fundraising takes time, resources, and support, and we are committed to providing the new Development Director with all three.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop and manage the fundraising schedule, including work plan and deadlines, and follow up on development activities, including anniversary campaigns, annual galas, and board meetings.
• Proactively research to identify and qualify new prospects for major gifts, grants, and other funding opportunities.
• Oversee stewardship for all annual donors, including acknowledgment and renewal correspondence and benefits administration.
• Support ad hoc research and content development for fundraising proposals and other collateral.
• Maintaining accurate records of current and potential donors, tracking donations, and ensuring timely acknowledgment of contributions.
• Assist in the planning and execution of fundraising events, including logistics, invitations, and on-the-day activities, with support from the Board and event planners.
• Prepare and submit grant proposals and reports to foundations, corporations, and other funding sources.

We’re looking for someone who is

• An Effective & Excellent Writer. You write well and take pride in your ability to do so, especially when communicating an idea, topic, or vision that you are passionate about.
• A Convener. You recognize that a well-prepared and supported community can achieve far more than a single, highly talented individual. You can bring together sector leaders and facilitate conversations to identify ways to attract resources to our cause.
• A Relationship Builder. You thrive on meeting new people and like to foster relationships. You like learning what motivates people, what inspires their giving, and what makes them feel appreciated.
• Meticulous. You’re highly organized, with an eye for detail and excellent proofreading skills.
• Resourceful and Adaptable. You’re at ease with ambiguity and rapid change. You possess a positive attitude and identify creative solutions to obstacles. You can juggle many important responsibilities at once and you’re rigorous about prioritizing.
• Organized. You’re a strong project manager, capable of driving multiple work streams toward deadlines and juggling changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated. You proactively take the initiative, identifying problems and opportunities across your portfolio, developing recommendations, and taking action on those recommendations.

What You'll Need

• At least 7 years of related and progressively responsible experience in fundraising and development.
• Ability to handle multiple deadlines and complete assignments with minimal supervision in a fast-paced workplace.
• Impeccable organization; you are highly detail-oriented and someone who gets a real sense of satisfaction from producing polished work and managing smooth and orderly processes.
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion. You're always asking: "whose voice is not at the table?" You have experience working with diverse teams and successfully navigating cross-cultural communication in both local and global contexts, and you deeply value creating a workplace that is supportive of difference.