Development Associate

Development Associate

ELLA BAKER CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS OAKLAND CA

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Oakland California organizing to shift resources away from prisons and punishment towards opportunities that make our communities safe healthy and strong. Named after civil rights hero Ella Baker we mobilize Black Brown and low-income people to build power in our communities. For 30 years we have worked from the community to the legislative level to free our people from state violence. We are currently working to end mass incarceration and criminalization in the United States through Truth and Reinvestmentmoving resources away from failed criminal legal policies and into creating opportunities also known as books not bars jobs not jails healthcare not handcuffs. Through our programs such as successful organizing in Alameda County a robust state policy platform and national leadership in the movement to end mass incarceration EBC is building a culture of care to replace cages and cops.

The Ella Baker Center Action Fund (EBCAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and a separate but affiliated organization with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. EBCAF mobilizes our communities current and formerly incarcerated people their loved ones people who are low income and Black and Brown communities to exercise their full political power and hold institutions accountable. Like our namesake Ella Baker we understand that true power lies within the people. EBCAF was born out of the vision to further build power amongst those most impacted by incarceration and criminalization. We mobilize these communities to ensure that our elected officials are focused on addressing the root causes of harm in our communities instead of investing in failing institutions such as prisons and policing that exacerbate that harm.

OUR VALUES

At the Ella Baker Center we win by doing our liberation work in alignment with and guided by our core values:

1. Prioritize people most impacted by policing and prisons

2. Accountability

3. Black Liberation

4. Interconnection

5. Transformation

6. Culture of Care and Healing

7. Self-Determination

The ideal candidate at EBC understands that our work uplifts the leadership and strategies of those most impacted by the criminal legal system: working-class people of color. Our primary aspiration is Black liberation as these communities are the most harmed by policing and prisons. We practice accountability to our communities and each other by giving and receiving feedback communicating directly and building a culture of restorative justice.

We seek staff who are looking to not only transform the world but are themselves excited to be personally transformed by organizing for liberation while caring for ourselves and each other. Transformation means that we do not turn anyone away who seeks our advocacy or support based on what the state has charged them with. Inherent in collective liberation work we ask our staff to do the personal work of organizing to dismantle white supremacy and cisheteropatriarchy and practice anti-oppression in everyday relationships. Living our values means we are building a

leaderful movement with an emphasis on those who have been systematically denied leadership and power.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC) seeks a bright and dedicated Development Associate to help move resources into community-led solutions for safety and racial justice. Reporting to the Director of Development and serving as a key member of the individual giving team the Development Associate will exercise leadership in a collective environment developing and implementing new strategies for emerging areas in our fundraising program. The successful applicant will have three or more years of professional experience in fundraising and volunteer management a track record of successful collaboration on complex projects and a strong political commitment to racial justice and collective liberation.

The Development Associate will lead key portions of EBCs fundraising work including development operations grassroots giving and sponsorships/partnerships. This role incorporates both fundraising and organizing skills with an emphasis on supporting and mobilizing members to lead grassroots and mid-level giving projects engaging local and/or politically aligned businesses and leveraging data to inform fundraising campaign strategy. The role will also coordinate mass mobilization efforts to expand EBCs relationship with new grassroots donors leveraging technology and volunteer support. This role primarily focuses on individual and corporate giving for EBCs 501(c)3 entity and will spend a limited number of hours stewarding gifts towards EBC Action Fund our 501(c)4 entity. This position requires in-person work in our Oakland office a minimum of two to three days per week. The role also requires flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed to support organizational priorities. Preference will be given to candidates who reside in the Bay Area.

PRIMARY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Operations (35%)

Guide the Development Teams database operations including designing and implementing changes to improve EBCs donor database. This includes both database architecture and ongoing data hygiene work.

Develop data visualization and evaluation tools (dashboards reports etc.) to support the teams individual giving campaigns and institutional gifts work.

Proactively collaborate with the Director of Development and other members of the team to resolve discrepancies outstanding tasks and other irregularities in donor and/or funder data.

Perform regular data entry maintaining and updating filing systems records and the Development Teams Google Drive and email.

Lead the Development Teams work to successfully manage and integrate various platforms into team workflows (Salesforce Google Drive etc.)

Screen and evaluate potential new products and platforms and serve as the primary point of contact for external sales representatives.

Supervise and support Development interns including onboarding ongoing management and evaluations.

Donor Stewardship Grassroots and Mid-Level Supporters (35%)

Develop and implement strategies to deepen grassroots and mid-level donor engagement among existing donors and expand EBCs donor base.

Manage and coordinate resource organizers (development volunteers) to support fundraising campaigns donor outreach and engagement activities ensuring volunteers are trained equipped and mobilized to expand EBCs donor base and strengthen donor relationships.

Manage improve or establish processes and procedures as needed to ensure high-quality donor experience through all the various communication touchpoints (e.g. website donor portal email telephone events site visits mailings onboarding).

Collaborate with the Director of Development to build an annual donor cultivation calendar which includes events direct mail digital content phone banking and appeals. Utilize mass communication systems to mobilize donors and build connections.
Continuously improve donor relations through regular communications to build strong lasting relationships with existing donors educate donors on EBCs campaign and strategies and discuss new giving opportunities of interest to donors; ensure ongoing refinement of messaging in EBC collateral intended for a donor audience.

Respond to donor needs and contribute to asset development goals by providing excellent donor service in all interactions with EBC donors.

Work with the Director of Development as needed to identify and qualify new donors to maintain EBCs prospect pipeline. Integrate new prospect research into donor engagement strategy.

External Partnerships and Sponsorship Engagement (15%)

Develop sustainable external partnerships and a sponsorship program to engage aligned companies.

Build engagement opportunities for companies to appropriately participate in the Ella Baker Centers work where it is mutually beneficial.

Deepen relationships with external partners and cultivate organizational affinity by supporting their political education with ad hoc workshops.

Consistently monitor and evaluate the impact of external partnerships and sponsorship activities and make decisions about adjustments and new strategies as needed to maintain desired levels of engagement.

Design and implement relevant evaluation metrics for the external partnerships and sponsorships program.

Curated Donor Experiences (15%)

Develop strategic light-touch low-commitment events to engage donors and encourage their participation in organizational activities where appropriate.

Evaluate the efficacy of small-scale events through qualitative and quantitative measures engaging donors who participate in events in the evaluation process.

Supervise and engage consultants as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

3 years of experience in fundraising or equivalent area.

3 years of volunteer management experience preferably in a fundraising and/or campaign environment.

Possess a strong knowledge of using CRM/database tools to successfully support donor engagement. Salesforce experience is strongly preferred.

History of working collaboratively with stakeholders (board members volunteers etc.) and coworkers while exercising individual leadership in meeting core job responsibilities.

Project management and/or campaign experience including proven ability to successfully manage multiple time-sensitive projects.

Familiarity with online fundraising tools and peer-to-peer fundraising strategies.
Aptitude for quantitative and qualitative evaluation of fundraising programs.
Excellent verbal written and interpersonal communication skills with high-level of attention to detail.

Familiarity with the criminal justice landscape in California and/or the Bay Area preferred along with a demonstrated commitment to racial economic and gender justice and respect for people of all gender identities.

Strong cultural competency with demonstrated ability to apply anti-oppression principles in administrative and organizational support work.

Ability to work effectively as part of a team; communicate clearly through email phone and in-person; and foster positive working relationships across the organization.

Bilingual in Spanish and English is a PLUS.

Open to learning and commitment to using 2SLGBTQIA staff and community names & pronouns.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

This is a salaried exempt full-time union position represented by CWA Local 9415. Employees are expected to be in person 2-3 days a week at the Oakland office. There will be times when the position will be required to work in the evenings on weekends and at outward-facing public events. The Development Associate reports to the Director of Development.

SALARY

Compensation range: $72000-$82000 designated by professional and lived experience. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights offers a competitive benefits package to its full-time employees which includes employee medical vision dental chiropractic acupuncture LTD life insurance EAP paid holidays vacation and sick time and the option to enroll in a 401(k) program. We cover 100% of the employee-only premiums for all medical coverage. Medical coverage begins on the 1st of the month after the date of hire.

HOW TO APPLY

Ella Baker Website Careers Tab: Complete applications must include:

Resume

A thoughtful cover letter about your interest in the position.

A short (2-3 page max) writing sample demonstrating your ability to convey a compelling narrative in a relevant nonprofit context.

HEALTH & SAFETY

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights encourages vaccinations to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases including COVID-19. There may be circumstances such as public health guidance updates known workplace exposures or specific events when employees are requested to participate in COVID-19 testing or wear a face covering while working in the building or attending EBC-sponsored gatherings. The organization fully supports and respects the decision of any staff member who chooses to wear a mask while in the building or at work-related events.

Employees may be legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation if vaccination testing or face covering requests conflict with a disability or a sincerely held religious belief practice or observance. Staff who believe they may need an accommodation are encouraged to contact Human Resources.

EVERYONE WELCOME

The Ella Baker Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse inclusive and justice-centered workplace. We believe that building a broad diverse movement is essential to lasting change and centering the leadership and experiences of those most impacted by the criminal legal system.

We strongly encourage applications from people of color; 2SLGBTQIA people; individuals directly impacted by the criminal legal system; and those with loved ones currently or formerly impacted. We welcome candidates with nontraditional backgrounds and recognize that leadership is developed in many spaces not only through formal credentials. We are committed to investing in the leadership of people of color and formerly incarcerated people as part of our commitment to equity and liberation.

We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. This includes but is not limited to race (including traits like hair texture and protective hairstyles) color religion (including dress or grooming practices) sex gender gender identity or expression pregnancy or related medical conditions sexual orientation national origin age (40) disability medical or genetic conditions marital or domestic partner status military or veteran status reproductive health decisions or any other characteristic protected by federal California or local law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable law.

If you are wondering whether you are qualified to apply we encourage you to do so!

START DATE

Spring 2026

Nothing in this job description restricts the Ella Baker Centers right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Employment with the Ella Baker Center is at-will meaning either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without cause or notice in compliance with California law.

Required Experience:

Manager