Director of Development, Oakland Youth Writing & Publishing Center

ABOUT CHAPTER 510

Chapter 510 is a made-in-Oakland youth writing, bookmaking & publishing center. Our teaching artists and volunteers work side-by-side with educators to provide a safe space and supportive community with a focus on Black, brown, and queer youth ages 8-19 to bravely write. Our vision is that every young person in Oakland writes with confidence and joy.

We believe that writing is an act of liberation. When young people write and get published, they transform themselves and their communities, succeeding in school, work, and life.

Through writing programs at our center and within Oakland public schools, we help young people improve their writing craft, confidence, and competency at every stage. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Director of Development reports to and participates in a leadership partnership with Chapter 510’s Executive Director and COO. The Director of Development oversees Chapter 510’s fundraising strategy and the execution of all fundraising efforts, ensuring that we meet our annual goals for individual, foundation, and corporate giving. 

We have built a culture where all staff members take part in our fundraising and development. In addition working closely with the ED and COO, you will have direct support from a contract Grant Writer, Events Manager, and Creative and Communications Director.   

Our annual budget for 21/22 is $1.1 million and our goal is to grow to $1.25 million by 22/23. 

Overall Development Strategy & Communications
-Create fund development strategies, and design and implement annual and multi-year fundraising plans to increase income from individual donors, foundations, and corporations that helps Chapter 510 retain and grow donor support
-Meet budgeted fundraising goals for grants, campaigns, foundations, and individual donations
-Manage all development staff, contractors, volunteers, and interns who assist Chapter 510 in meeting its fundraising goals
-Create and maintain a shared annual fundraising calendar for all grants, campaigns, and major asks (large-dollar individual donations, corporate support, foundations, etc.) 
-Oversee each fundraising campaign, ensuring the staff’s successful execution of campaigns both large (multi-year, comprehensive campaign) and small (seasonal)
-Provide advice, training, and guidance to staff and Board of Directors to support their fundraising efforts
-Attend Board of Directors Campaign Committee meetings
-Oversee the creation of all fundraising-based assets for Chapter 510
-Oversee the creation of our annual report

Individual Donor Cultivation & Stewardship
-Oversee Chapter 510’s CRM in Salesforce. Train staff to use the database as needed.
-Work closely with the COO & Creative Director to create giving opportunities through our Dept. of Make / Believe, our physical and online store & donation portal 
-Manage staff/contractors/volunteers in charge of updating our CRM on a regular basis
-Oversee production of all solicitation materials and presentations online and in print
-Coordinate with staff to ensure consistency in all fundraising content and messaging and efficacy of outreach efforts
-In partnership with our Executive Director, seek out and actively engage new donors who give $1,000 or more to Chapter 510. Track all donors and prospects in Salesforce (or other CRM program)
-Oversee all donor stewardship and processes, ensuring all donors are acknowledged in a meaningful and timely manner
-Oversee large-donor thank yous, making sure that the appropriate people on staff are alerted when a large donation comes in, and circulating thank you cards for all staff to sign
-Write donation appeals and thank-you emails

Foundations & Grants
-Research grant opportunities and oversee all grant applications and calendars
-Write LOIs and grant materials or oversee staff and volunteers to meet all grant deadlines
-Work with COO to develop financials for all grant applications
-Keep digital files of all applications and award letters and ensure that the financial team know grant funding schedules and restrictions
-Communicate with program staff about all program-specific grants received
-Ensure that all grant reporting is completed in an accurate and timely manner
-Ensure that all OFCY data is collected and uploaded quarterly from our program and financial team

Corporate Giving
-Create corporate giving sponsorship and partnership opportunities and levels
-Research corporate giving opportunities, create and cultivate relationships with select corporations, and work with the COO and ED to develop engagement and giving opportunities for local businesses
-Manage all corporate giving asks and acknowledgements
-Communicate with our donor base about corporate matching opportunities

We are a highly democratic and fluid organization, so we all:

Help maintain the cleanliness and organization of our store and writing sanctuary Act as thought partners: attend weekly staff meetings and all annual planning retreats & meetings with staff and board Attend and help plan and run all friend- and fund-raising events Speak about our programs at various in-house and outside events Pinch hit on our writing and tutoring programs when needed Help each other with various other projects if time allows

ABOUT YOU

Required Qualities, Skills, & Experience

Kindness Integrity Share the values and approaches of Community Centric Fundraising Principles Patience and diligence to handle many tasks with care and attention to detail A passion for, and commitment to, Chapter 510’s mission and vision, including social and racial justice Ability to ask for and receive support when facing challenges or the unknown Ability to work independently, remotely, and in-person as part of a team Competency to work across lines of difference, including with communities of color, poor and low-income communities, immigrant communities, and other marginalized groups 3-5 years experience as a Director of Development, with a track record for building development strategies, operations & departments, and a culture of philanthropy within an organization Experience making direct asks of at least $100,000. Experience setting  an Executive Director up for successful solicitations. A passion for excellent writing and communication.

Desired experiences (please apply even if you do not have the following experience): 

Experience working in development for Oakland-based arts or education-based organizations

SALARY & BENEFITS

Compensation: $90,000-$120,000 DOE

Hours: We consider a full-time work week to be 32 hours. Longer working hours will be needed from time to time. 

Location: Our office is located in downtown Oakland. When the office is reopened, staff are encouraged to work in the office, on average, 4 days per week, but we want to remain flexible to accommodate those supporting children or other dependents at home. 

Time Off: We offer three weeks accrued PTO annually, as well as two additional all-staff holiday weeks (summer and winter holiday breaks), plus paid holidays and 14 sick days per year.  

Health Insurance: We offer fully paid premiums for health, vision, and dental insurance for staff working full time (32 hours/week). 

APPLY

Job open until filled. Please send a cover letter and cv to tavia_stewart@chapter510.org.