This is a remote position.
*Remote with a strong preference for candidates in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area.
ABOUT OUTDOOR AFRO
Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Our network also connects Black people with our lands water and wildlife through outdoor education recreation and conservation. Some examples of Outdoor Afros year-round activities range from fishing hiking biking kayaking gardening skiing and more! Visit: or @outdoorafro across all social media platforms to learn more.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Outdoor Afro is entering an exciting new chapter of growth. We are seeking a mission-driven strategic and relationship-centered Director of Development and Donor Engagement to lead our fundraising strategy and elevate donor stewardship.
Currently operating as a $23M organization Outdoor Afro is preparing to scale to $34M through strategic revenue diversification donor expansion and strengthened philanthropic partnerships.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer the Director of Development and Donor Engagement will lead the vision priorities and execution of the organizations multi-year development strategy.
WHAT YOULL DO
Areas of Focus
Individual Giving (Priority): Lead strategies to identify cultivate solicit and steward mid- and major-level donors increasing donor lifetime value and growing unrestricted giving.
Foundation & Grants (Priority): Direct the management of existing grants and proactively build a multi-year pipeline of institutional funders through high-quality proposals reporting and long-term relationship stewardship.
Events: Lead the strategy and design of donor cultivation and stewardship events.
Corporate Partnerships: Lead mission-aligned corporate sponsorship and partnership strategies in partnership with the Executive Leadership Team.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAF): Strengthen systems to increase DAF-origin gifts and donor advisor engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Fundraising Leadership
Lead the design and implementation of Outdoor Afros multi-year fundraising strategy to grow annual revenue from $23M to $34M.
Establish annual and multi-year revenue goals forecasts and diversified pipelines that reduce reliance on CEO-led fundraising.
Serve as staff lead to the Development Committee including planning agendas preparing materials guiding prospect engagement and driving accountability.
Lead the organizations board giving strategy ensuring 100% participation and developing tools and training that strengthen board engagement in philanthropy.
Shape the long-term development infrastructure including staffing recommendations and resource planning for future growth.
Individual Foundation and Grant Fundraising
Manage a growing portfolio of mid- and major-level donors; develop individualized cultivation and stewardship plans and conduct regular meetings.
Oversee all aspects of grant strategy and grant management including pipeline development proposal writing reporting compliance and funder engagement.
Partner with Program Operations and Finance teams to align proposals and reporting with program impact and organizational priorities.
Maintain disciplined moves management accurate forecasting and a multi-year institutional funding pipeline.
Campaigns Events & Development-Related Communications
Lead organization-wide fundraising campaigns (e.g. End-of-Year Giving) working closely with the Program Team to deliver compelling impact stories.
Oversee donor events in partnership with the CEO and Executive Manager; develop agendas donor briefings cultivation strategies and post-event follow-up.
Partner with the Program Team and Marketing on development-related communications ensuring donor materials reflect Outdoor Afros mission values and impact.
Systems Data and Operations
Lead the development operations strategy for segmentation portfolio prioritization and analytics in partnership with the Operations Director (CRM owner).
Maintain high-quality donor and grant data revenue projections KPIs and performance dashboards.
Ensure timely and accurate gift reconciliation compliance acknowledgments and stewardship workflows.
Team Leadership
Provide thought leadership and mentorship across the development and operations functions.
Potential to supervise Development staff as organizational structure and staffing needs align.
Foster a collaborative accountable and equity-centered development culture across the organization.
Requirements
Qualifications
Bachelors degree and 710 years of progressive nonprofit development experience including leadership responsibility.
Demonstrated success in individual giving and institutional fundraising including major gifts and multi-year grant strategies.
Proven ability to secure 56 figure gifts from individuals and foundations.
Experience designing and leading high-impact campaigns and donor communications.
Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce strongly preferred); comfort with data analysis forecasting and KPI design.
Exceptional written verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to lead through influence align cross-functional teams and manage up and across.
Commitment to Outdoor Afros mission and values of joy belonging and connection in nature.
Performance Expectations
Meaningful progress toward annual revenue growth targets and advancement toward $34M annual budget.
Growth across individual donor upgrades grants secured retention rates and donor lifetime value.
Measurable reduction in CEO-led fundraising dependence.
Strong engagement of the Development Committee and Board in philanthropy.
Strengthened development systems workflows and cross-team alignment.
Work Environment & Travel
Remote with a strong preference for candidates in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area.
Regular visits to Outdoor Afros Oakland headquarters and periodic evening/weekend activities.
Travel: 46 trips per year typically 34 nights each aligned with donor meetings and philanthropic partnerships.
Benefits
Compensation & Benefits
TO APPLY
Submit a cover letter explaining why youd be a great fit for Outdoor Afro a resume and a writing sample via the application link.
Outdoor Afro is an equal opportunity employer. The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as assigned by their supervisor.
Required Skills:
Bachelors degree and 710 years of progressive nonprofit development experience including leadership responsibility. Demonstrated success in individual giving and institutional fundraising including major gifts and multi-year grant strategies. Proven ability to secure 56 figure gifts from individuals and foundations. Experience designing and leading high-impact campaigns and donor communications. Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce strongly preferred); comfort with data analysis forecasting and KPI design. Exceptional written verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to lead through influence align cross-functional teams and manage up and across. Commitment to Outdoor Afros mission and values of joy belonging and connection in nature.
Required Education:
Bachelors Degree
This is a remote position.*Remote with a strong preference for candidates in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area. ABOUT OUTDOOR AFRO Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Our network also connects Black people with our lands water and wildlife th...
This is a remote position.
*Remote with a strong preference for candidates in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area.
ABOUT OUTDOOR AFRO
Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Our network also connects Black people with our lands water and wildlife through outdoor education recreation and conservation. Some examples of Outdoor Afros year-round activities range from fishing hiking biking kayaking gardening skiing and more! Visit: or @outdoorafro across all social media platforms to learn more.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Outdoor Afro is entering an exciting new chapter of growth. We are seeking a mission-driven strategic and relationship-centered Director of Development and Donor Engagement to lead our fundraising strategy and elevate donor stewardship.
Currently operating as a $23M organization Outdoor Afro is preparing to scale to $34M through strategic revenue diversification donor expansion and strengthened philanthropic partnerships.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer the Director of Development and Donor Engagement will lead the vision priorities and execution of the organizations multi-year development strategy.
WHAT YOULL DO
Areas of Focus
Individual Giving (Priority): Lead strategies to identify cultivate solicit and steward mid- and major-level donors increasing donor lifetime value and growing unrestricted giving.
Foundation & Grants (Priority): Direct the management of existing grants and proactively build a multi-year pipeline of institutional funders through high-quality proposals reporting and long-term relationship stewardship.
Events: Lead the strategy and design of donor cultivation and stewardship events.
Corporate Partnerships: Lead mission-aligned corporate sponsorship and partnership strategies in partnership with the Executive Leadership Team.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAF): Strengthen systems to increase DAF-origin gifts and donor advisor engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Fundraising Leadership
Lead the design and implementation of Outdoor Afros multi-year fundraising strategy to grow annual revenue from $23M to $34M.
Establish annual and multi-year revenue goals forecasts and diversified pipelines that reduce reliance on CEO-led fundraising.
Serve as staff lead to the Development Committee including planning agendas preparing materials guiding prospect engagement and driving accountability.
Lead the organizations board giving strategy ensuring 100% participation and developing tools and training that strengthen board engagement in philanthropy.
Shape the long-term development infrastructure including staffing recommendations and resource planning for future growth.
Individual Foundation and Grant Fundraising
Manage a growing portfolio of mid- and major-level donors; develop individualized cultivation and stewardship plans and conduct regular meetings.
Oversee all aspects of grant strategy and grant management including pipeline development proposal writing reporting compliance and funder engagement.
Partner with Program Operations and Finance teams to align proposals and reporting with program impact and organizational priorities.
Maintain disciplined moves management accurate forecasting and a multi-year institutional funding pipeline.
Campaigns Events & Development-Related Communications
Lead organization-wide fundraising campaigns (e.g. End-of-Year Giving) working closely with the Program Team to deliver compelling impact stories.
Oversee donor events in partnership with the CEO and Executive Manager; develop agendas donor briefings cultivation strategies and post-event follow-up.
Partner with the Program Team and Marketing on development-related communications ensuring donor materials reflect Outdoor Afros mission values and impact.
Systems Data and Operations
Lead the development operations strategy for segmentation portfolio prioritization and analytics in partnership with the Operations Director (CRM owner).
Maintain high-quality donor and grant data revenue projections KPIs and performance dashboards.
Ensure timely and accurate gift reconciliation compliance acknowledgments and stewardship workflows.
Team Leadership
Provide thought leadership and mentorship across the development and operations functions.
Potential to supervise Development staff as organizational structure and staffing needs align.
Foster a collaborative accountable and equity-centered development culture across the organization.
Requirements
Qualifications
Bachelors degree and 710 years of progressive nonprofit development experience including leadership responsibility.
Demonstrated success in individual giving and institutional fundraising including major gifts and multi-year grant strategies.
Proven ability to secure 56 figure gifts from individuals and foundations.
Experience designing and leading high-impact campaigns and donor communications.
Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce strongly preferred); comfort with data analysis forecasting and KPI design.
Exceptional written verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to lead through influence align cross-functional teams and manage up and across.
Commitment to Outdoor Afros mission and values of joy belonging and connection in nature.
Performance Expectations
Meaningful progress toward annual revenue growth targets and advancement toward $34M annual budget.
Growth across individual donor upgrades grants secured retention rates and donor lifetime value.
Measurable reduction in CEO-led fundraising dependence.
Strong engagement of the Development Committee and Board in philanthropy.
Strengthened development systems workflows and cross-team alignment.
Work Environment & Travel
Remote with a strong preference for candidates in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area.
Regular visits to Outdoor Afros Oakland headquarters and periodic evening/weekend activities.
Travel: 46 trips per year typically 34 nights each aligned with donor meetings and philanthropic partnerships.
Benefits
Compensation & Benefits
TO APPLY
Submit a cover letter explaining why youd be a great fit for Outdoor Afro a resume and a writing sample via the application link.
Outdoor Afro is an equal opportunity employer. The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as assigned by their supervisor.
Required Skills:
Bachelors degree and 710 years of progressive nonprofit development experience including leadership responsibility. Demonstrated success in individual giving and institutional fundraising including major gifts and multi-year grant strategies. Proven ability to secure 56 figure gifts from individuals and foundations. Experience designing and leading high-impact campaigns and donor communications. Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce strongly preferred); comfort with data analysis forecasting and KPI design. Exceptional written verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to lead through influence align cross-functional teams and manage up and across. Commitment to Outdoor Afros mission and values of joy belonging and connection in nature.
Required Education:
Bachelors Degree
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