Director of Development

Oakland, CA
Posted on  

Job Description

The Director of Development is a visionary leader who will:

Expand EBASE’s financial resources through grants, donor engagement, and innovative fundraising strategies.

Lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Cultivate strong relationships with funders, allies, and grassroots donors to drive our mission forward.

Supervise development staff and contractors, building a strong internal fundraising culture.

Advance equity-driven fundraising that aligns with our vision of economic, racial, and climate justice.

This role is shared with East Bay Action, a 501(c)(4) organization building voter power in the East Bay.

Core Responsibilities:

Your Impact & Responsibilities

🔹 Strategic Fundraising Leadership (20%)

Develop and oversee an annual multi-channel fundraising strategy (grants, individual donors, events).

  • Innovate new revenue sources, leveraging digital fundraising and community-based models.
  • Develop and implement multi-year revenue projections to track and align fundraising efforts with organizational growth.

🔹 Foundation & Grant Development (40%)

Cultivate strategic funder relationships and identify new opportunities in worker rights, housing, climate justice, and racial justice.

  • Oversee grant writing, compliance, and reporting, ensuring alignment with EBASE’s goals.
  • Manage subgrant relationships with community partners in coordination with program teams.

🔹 Donor Engagement & Community Fundraising (20%)

Expand EBASE’s grassroots donor network and host engaging fundraising events.

  • Partner with communications teams to craft compelling donor messaging and campaigns.

🔹 Leadership & Internal Fundraising Culture (20%)

Supervise the Development Associate and consultants to strengthen fundraising operations.

Build staff and board engagement in philanthropy, fostering a shared commitment to resource-building.

Qualifications:

  • What we are looking for:
  • Proven Fundraiser: 5+ years of fundraising leadership, securing grants and donor investments for social justice initiatives. Brings an understanding of the foundation landscape, trends, and opportunities.
  • Strategic & Visionary Leader: You see the big picture and chart a path to meet ambitious goals.
  • Relationship Builder: You foster authentic connections across racial, economic, and social lines, engaging funders, partners, and grassroots communities. You bring relationships with foundation partners.
  • Systems-Thinker: You thrive in data-driven environments, optimizing CRM tools and donor analytics to inform strategy.
  • Mission-Driven Advocate: Deep alignment with economic, racial, and social justice, with experience in community organizing, labor movements, or housing justice.
  • Bonus: Experience with 501(c)(4) fundraising, political campaigns, and established funder networks.