Director of Development

The Oakland Literacy Coalition (OLC) is seeking a dynamic, results-driven Director of Development to lead the strategy and growth of our fundraising efforts, propelling our mission forward and expanding our impact on literacy in Oakland. This pivotal role requires a visionary leader who can build on our current successes while cultivating new and innovative funding opportunities.

As a core member of OLC’s senior leadership team, the Director of Development will drive the organization’s fundraising program and forge new relationships to build the OLC’s financial resources. This role is both strategic and tactical, as it is responsible for developing, managing, and executing the OLC’s development plan and activities. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned fundraising professional, competent and confident in both external relationship-building and operationalizing plans internally, with a high degree of independence and a deep commitment to the OLC’s mission and values.

This is a full-time, exempt position (40 hours per week) with a hybrid schedule based in Oakland, CA, with an anticipated start date in January 2025. The Director of Development will report directly to Executive Director Sanam Jorjani and work closely with staff, board members, independent contractors, and external stakeholders to achieve the organization's ambitious growth goals.

ABOUT US

Our Mission & Approach

Building a future where all Oakland students are afforded their civil right to literacy will take all of us. That’s why the OLC fosters a diverse coalition of community organizations and agencies with the mission of working together to ensure that every Oakland child learns and loves to read.

Through our 2023-2026 strategic plan, we are growing our programs and organization to deepen our impact as an effective and sustainable literacy hub for Oakland.

The Organization & Team

Founded by the Rogers Family Foundation in 2008 and launched as an independent nonprofit in 2016, the OLC is in an exciting phase of growth and development. Our current annual operating budget is $1.6 million, and we have a diverse revenue portfolio that includes foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, individual donors, an annual fundraising event, and earned income.

Our passionate and talented team of seven takes pride in fostering a positive culture of excellence, collaboration, continuous learning, and accountability in line with our guiding beliefs and values.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Development Strategy (20%)

• Lead the implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy to meet or exceed annual revenue goals in collaboration with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and consultants.
• Regularly assess and report fundraising progress and metrics to the Executive Director and Board, ensuring transparency and alignment with strategic goals.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison for the Board Development Committee, guiding and energizing their fundraising efforts.
• Strategically manage the Executive Director’s fundraising activities, providing direction on high-priority relationships with funders and donors.
• Stay informed about trends and best practices in nonprofit fundraising and philanthropy and update existing development and stewardship plans with new ideas, industry best practices, and data-driven analysis.

Individual Giving & Fundraising Events (40%)

• Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with current and prospective donors that lead to high-level support and result in meeting or exceeding fundraising goals. Seek out and secure new networks of prospective supporters and identify appropriate channels to engage them.
• Plan and execute compelling fundraising campaigns and appeals, ensuring year-over-year growth in individual giving.
• Lead the planning and execution of the annual Chapters of Change fundraiser in collaboration with the Board, staff, and contractors.
• Develop and coordinate 2-3 smaller donor cultivation events throughout the year, with a focus on building a major gifts pipeline.
• Represent the OLC at donor meetings and events, articulating our value, goals, and impact.

Institutional Funding & Sponsorships (30%)

• Steward relationships with existing foundation partners and conduct prospect research to ensure the OLC has a robust pipeline of grant opportunities to pursue.
• Manage the grants pipeline/calendar and work with the grant writer to develop accurate and highly effective proposals, reports, budgets, and other materials and ensure timely submission.
• Work with program and finance staff to track grant deliverables and budgets.
• Identify and pursue relationships with potential corporate partners to leverage corporate social responsibility and sponsorship opportunities.
• Manage the sponsorship strategy and plan for the annual Literacy and Justice for All Symposium and direct the work of the sponsorship sales contractor to grow the pipeline.

Fundraising Communications & Administration (10%)

• Continuously seek to understand all aspects of our mission and model and use impactful storytelling to convey the value and impact of our work and inspire others to support.
• Collaborate with the Senior Communications Manager and contractors to create compelling fundraising collateral and donor communications, including presentations, appeals, acknowledgments, and other marketing materials.
• Maintain policies, systems, and procedures to track fundraising activities and donor data.
• Responsible for maintaining all donor and prospect information utilizing Kindful and Airtable and ensure the delivery of donation acknowledgments and agreements.

Knowledge, Skills, & Experience

• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit fund development with with progressive responsibilities for an organization with an annual budget of at least $1 million.
• Authentic and compelling communicator who can effectively pitch the OLC’s work to engage and inspire supporters, leveraging storytelling to build relationships that drive results.
• Track record of expanding donor networks and fostering partnerships that lead to increased funding and sustained engagement.
• Strong strategic thinker who holds the big picture while owning the end-to-end process of implementation, ensuring alignment with goals and accountability for outcomes.
• You thrive in a small, dynamic organization by working independently and creatively to maximize available resources, contribute innovative ideas, and drive impactful results.
• You are passionate about our work, mission, and values and are excited to help us secure new and sustainable funding streams.

Bonus points if you:

• Are familiar with and have existing relationships within the Bay Area funding community.
• Are proficient with fundraising CRM, (the OLC currently uses Kindful and Airtable).
• Have experience in the education sector.

WORK SCHEDULE + LOCATION

The position is based out of our office in a bright and inviting co-working space in Artthaus Studios, located in Oakland’s Jingletown neighborhood.

Our regular work schedule is weekdays from 9 am - 5 pm. Our team works a hybrid schedule, with up to three days in the office (currently our team works in-office on Mondays and Thursdays). Our work sometimes happens at community events or the offices of partner nonprofits or funders. It also sometimes requires attending meetings or events at night and on the weekends.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY + COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Oakland Literacy Coalition is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to creating a diverse staff and inclusive environment. We especially encourage members of historically marginalized communities to apply for this role.

In compliance with applicable laws, the Oakland Literacy Coalition does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, color, national origin or ancestry, cultural background, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, primary language, citizenship, or immigration status.