Director of Development (Seattle)

Summary

At Grist, we can see a better way forward. Our vision is a planet that doesn’t burn and a future that doesn’t suck. We make that possible through eye-opening environmental journalism that explores solutions, exposes injustice, and emboldens our millions of monthly readers to take action. Grist goes beyond the page to convene the leaders who are working for that sustainable, just future. We are an independent, nonprofit media organization with a base in Seattle. Our coast-to-coast dream team of journalists, editors, producers, designers and event creators make the story of a better future so irresistible, you want it right now.

Grist, the nation’s leading green news platform, seeks a Director of Development to oversee and expand our fundraising operations at a key inflection point for our organization. We are growing by leaps and bounds, with an audience in the millions and partnerships with the nation’s leading media outlets. Our staff and board have created a bold strategic plan that will transform the climate and sustainability conversation and are now evaluating the feasibility of launching a major fundraising initiative to support that work. All we need is you.

As a member of Grist’s senior management team, the Director of Development will work closely with the CEO and other staff members to shape and implement organizational strategies and to achieve contributed income goals. You will manage a small team responsible for raising funds from institutional sources and major donors.

This is a full-time position with a preferred location in Seattle, WA, but candidates in alternative locations will be considered. For more information on Grist, please visit http://grist.org/.

role and responsibilities

  • The Director of Development for Grist will be accountable for but not limited to the following key responsibilities:
  • Design and manage the overall strategy, plan, calendar, and budget for Grist’s fundraising program to meet its annual budget of $4M and growing.
  • Build a high-performing team to implement Grist’s fundraising program, leveraging the organization’s donor database and other technologies.  Currently this team includes a Foundation Relations Manager, Senior Development Officer, Membership Officer and Development Assistant
  • Lead the effort to evaluate, design, and implement a major capital campaign to support Grist’s new vision
  • Working in collaboration with Grist editorial team, develop proposals to solicit funding from high-level major donors, foundations, and other identified targets
  • Serve as a member of Grist’s senior management team, contributing to the development and implementation of the organization’s operating and strategic plans
  • Expand and manage the major individual-giving program, including the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects; the organization of fundraising events nationwide; and the creation of appropriate collateral, both print and electronic, to support a robust major donor program
  • Maintain a portfolio of individual and institutional major gifts prospects and donors and work with Grist’s CEO and Grist’s founder to manage and track the progress of their portfolios of top individual major gift prospects and donors
  • Lead and implement development strategy including a capital campaign aligned with the 20th anniversary of Grist in 2020
  • Provide direction and supervision for the foundation and corporate relations manager to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward foundation donors; oversee the creation and production of all fundraising materials, including letters of inquiry, grant proposals, and reports.
  • Work with appropriate staff to design and run regular reports for staff and board that track Grist’s fundraising results against its fiscal year goals and past giving history
  • Design, plan, and execute donor cultivation and stewardship activities designed to advance the organization’s strategic priorities and fundraising goals
  • Serve as the fundraising liaison to Grist's board, preparing agendas and materials for meetings; staffing the board fundraising committee; and assisting with special board projects.
  • Oversee use of Salesforce platform, including creation and analysis of reports, timely logging of communications and contacts, and system improvements as needed
  • Supervise the timely and accurate processing of gifts and acknowledgements
  • Perform other tasks, as appropriate, to achieve Grist’s fundraising goals
  • Some travel and flexible work schedule required

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or CFRE certification preferred
  • 7+ years solid fundraising experience, with proven success in the areas of institutional and individual giving
  • A track record of creative, innovative approaches to fundraising -- as an environmental news organization, Grist doesn’t always fit neatly into pre-defined program areas
  • Demonstrated ability to build, expand, and manage a development program responsible for raising at least $4.5 million annually
  • Dynamic and capable of organizing and leading strategic meetings with funders and board members; at ease driving an agenda and pivoting in real time to achieve a successful outcome
  • Strong leadership and management experience navigating and motivating people across the organization to engage in fundraising activities
  • Experience managing and motivating boards and volunteers for fundraising initiative.
  • Proven experience opening new doors with funders, waltzing through them, and walking away with funding commitments (bonus points for a record of multi-year gifts/grants)
  • Truly outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Attention to detail; strong time-management and organizational skills
  • Experience with fundraising databases (Salesforce preferred) and strong comfort with presentation software like Google Slides and PowerPoint
  • Strong financial skills, including the ability to develop and review budgets and to develop management reports that present a clear financial picture of fundraising activities
  • Comfort (and ideally experience) working in a nimble organization in which innovation and experimentation are prized and rigidity isn’t
  • Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with colleagues
  • A sense of humor never hurts!

compensation & benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

CONTACT

Grist has engaged Koya Leadership Partners to help in this hire. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume to Liz Lombard and Turner Delano here.

Grist is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBT applicants.

about koya leadership partners

Koya Leadership Partners is a national retained executive search and human capital consulting firm that works exclusively with mission-driven organizations, institutions of higher education and social enterprises. We deliver measurable results, finding exceptionally talented people who truly fit the unique culture of our client organizations and ensuring that organizations have the resources and strategies to support them. For more information, visit www.koyapartners.com.

 

Brenda Arredondo