Foundation for a College Education (FCE), located in East Palo Alto, California, is a nonprofit organization that offers a comprehensive and holistic college access and success program. FCE's mission is to increase the number of first-generation, low-income students of color from East Palo Alto and similar underserved communities who graduate from a four-year college or university. FCE has been recognized by the Chan Zuckerberg Institute and Yield Giving, the MacKenzie Scott Foundation, for our programs. Serving families since 1995, FCE has a six-year graduation rate that is well above the national average for Black and Latinx students. For more information, visit: www.collegefoundation.org.
Director of Development
The Director of Development serves as an important member of FCE's team and is the driving force behind our fundraising and communication initiatives. The Director of Development will work closely with the Executive Director to set near and long-term fundraising and communications goals as well as design and execute plans to achieve those goals. The Director of Development will also collaborate with the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and the Development and Strategic Communications Committee. They will manage Development contractors, and oversee the planning and implementation of FCE's annual March to Success Gala.
Leadership Opportunities (Duties and Responsibilities)
Manage and Grow Institutional Grants Portfolio Support Board and Executive Director with foundation and corporate fundraising to build new donor relations while maintaining ongoing relationships with foundation and corporate supporters and prospects. Manage the prospecting process including developing systems and processes for identifying, vetting, researching, and prioritizing potential foundation and corporate funders. Ensure a seamless process for the identification, preparation and submission of grant proposals and reports (potentially working with an outside grant writer).
Assist in Diversifying and Increasing Individual Donor Portfolio
Work closely with the Executive Director and the Development and Strategic Communications Committee to oversee individual fund-raising efforts with a particular focus on donors giving $1,000+. Identify and streamline internal processes for cultivating and nurturing new and existing individual donor relationships. Increase institutional donor prospect pool through disciplined prospect research and customization of approaches. Plan, oversee, and implement an annual gala. Manage annual giving programs (fall and spring appeal, special project "campaigns").
Board, Advisory Board and Volunteer Support
Support the Board and involve volunteers in carrying out the annual development plan. Work with fund development volunteers to solicit individuals. Generate regular reports to keep the Fund Development Committee and Board of Directors informed of fund development activities. Develop program strategic and operational plans as well as annual and multi-year projections, progress reporting. Support FCE Advisory Board and chair develop and manage engaging programming for membership; advise on member acquisition and orientation. Implement programs to build philanthropic and other constituent support. Provide input for board nominating committee on prospective board members.
Coordinate Organizational Communication Initiatives
Work with the Development and Strategic Communications Committee to design and implement a cohesive communications plan to highlight FCE's mission and community impact and cultivate donor relationships. Help produce external communication content including the annual report, Fall Appeal and quarterly newsletters. Manage distribution of communication content on social media, website, direct mail and press releases.
People Management and Reporting
The Director will oversee the work of a Development Associate, consultants and provide regular progress reports to the Executive Director and Board Fund Development and Strategic Communications Committee. Work with the Accounting team to project and track the fund development-related revenue and expenses of the agency's annual budget, including monthly fiscal reconciliation and annual audit preparation.
Database Oversight
Oversee a donor management system. Plan, calendar, and document donor contacts (individual and institutional) to build a sustained record of engagement - cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation. Use wealth review apps to prioritize engagement with high potential individual prospects: provide prospect research dossiers and donor solicitation strategies to support prospect engagement by Executive Director and Board of Directors.
Desirable Candidate Qualifications
Experienced fundraising professional with proven ability to help create and achieve goals of a multi-strategy development plan and at least 5 years senior level experience and 5 years supervising staff. Experience in building and expanding a development effort by utilizing moves management, major gift solicitation, and other development tools. Ability to collaborate with the Executive Director and Board to support the fundraising goals. Proven experience diversifying revenue from individual and foundation donors preferred. Demonstrated experience overseeing complex or multiple projects through to success, including meeting financial goals and coordinating the work of key staff and volunteers. Demonstrated success in fundraising experience with individuals, foundations, and corporations. Proficiency in MS Office applications and familiarity with CRMs including Salesforce. Ability to work in a diverse, inclusive, collaborative, small-office work environment. Knowledge of the local philanthropic environment is highly desirable. Passion and commitment to youth development and education equity.
Why FCE
You will enjoy a career that truly transforms the trajectory of the lives of first-generation, low-income students
Salary range is $125,000 - $140,000
Comprehensive health insurance including medical, dental, vision, and $50,000 life insurance for employees;
401k retirement plan, including up to 6% employer matching
19 holidays observed including 5 days for winter break. accrue paid vacation time at the rate of 12 days per year, or 1.0 days per month in their first year of employment and 15 days of vacation years two through four of employment, accrue 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked up to a maximum of 96 hours, four week sabbatical after 6 years of employment and 4 Wellness Days per year;
Professional development trainings including $500 annual professional development allocation
AFPSV annual dues covered
Hybrid work setting as long as live within 1 hour commute of office
Equal Opportunity Employer
FCE is committed to providing equal opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, gender, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital or registered domestic partnership status, veteran status, participation in military service, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or domestic violence victim status.
Please email resume and cover letter to: ewells@collegefoundation.org