Upward Scholars is seeking a Development Director. The ideal candidate has extensive experience overseeing nonprofit fundraising in the Bay Area. They are proactive, detail-oriented, and focused on measurable results.

Upward Scholars is a mission-driven organization that helps students overcome the financial and academic barriers that may limit their success. Whether it’s immigration status, lack of a college degree, or being stuck working multiple low-wage jobs just to make ends meet, Upward Scholars students face insurmountable obstacles to earning a family-sustaining wage. All staff members are dedicated to creating a high-performing work culture that centers and supports the people directly impacted by Upward Scholars’ work. Another core cultural tenet is that the work is characterized by a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

About Upward Scholars

Upward Scholars is the only nonprofit in the Bay Area providing financial, academic, career development, and holistic support to low-income adults transitioning from ESL and adult schools to community colleges and universities. As a result, students continue their education, secure higher-paying jobs, and serve as role models and advocates for their children.

Typical duties and responsibilities consist of, but are not limited to, the following:

Work effectively with the Executive Director, board, and staff to foster a culture of philanthropy organization-wide so that Upward Scholars’ values, mission, and vision are integrated into fundraising, and all stakeholders feel responsible for ensuring organizational health, effectiveness, and sustainability.
Establish goals, develop activities, and create programming to maintain and grow Upward Scholars’ individual giving program, including major gifts.
Manage data-driven strategies for annual giving, major giving, monthly giving, and planned giving that consistently increase annual revenue in major gifts by at least 10%, with an annual gift renewal rate of at least 75%.
Create and manage a solicitation calendar and direct strategic participation of key staff (including the Development Director) and board members in individual donor development activities.
Supervise and collaborate with Upward Scholars communications staff on a messaging and communications strategy for building a sustained base of annual individual donors; ensure that strategies are implemented across all fund development functions; and evaluate the effectiveness of strategies, including the organization’s annual giving campaigns (currently two per year), including mailings and fundraising drives.
Plan and implement donor-related stewardship and cultivation events and activities.
Coordinate, manage, and grow relationships with existing and prospective donors, emphasizing increasing donor commitment and securing multi-year commitments.
Collaborate with Upward Scholars operations staff to ensure timely and accurate gift entry and acknowledgment process, including documentation and follow-up of verbal and written pledges.
Use internal data to analyze, evaluate, and prepare reports on the progress and success of fundraising against annual goals.
Utilize existing development databases and identify needs for upgrades to oversee all administrative aspects of identification, cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship of all individual donors.
Maintain confidentiality of funder, donor, and budget information.
Prepare donor profiles (prospective and current) to be used by the executive director and board members when going to public events and help track contacts made and follow-up needed.
Develop fund development and marketing budget annually with the Executive Director and Fund Development & Marketing Committee.
Build the planned giving program focusing on deferred gifts such as bequests and annuities.
Understand Upward Scholars’ mission, goals, and programming to effectively identify, research, monitor, and engage prospective donors.
Plan, schedule, and lead Board Fund Development & Marketing Committee meetings, working with the Committee Chair.
Develop and manage a comprehensive corporate giving/engagement program with current and prospective businesses.
Develop and implement marketing and communications strategies for corporate partnerships with the team.
Solicit in-kind donations for various events, programs, and projects.
Oversee grant writer in researching grant prospects and writing grant proposals and reports to funders.

Additionally, all members of the Upward Scholars team are expected to:

Plan, coordinate, and participate in events with the team for students, donors, and the community.
Provide content ideas for eNews (e.g., newsletters, social media channels), website, and presentations in support of program awareness, student recruitment and retention, and fundraising.
Participate in staff meetings and make presentations to the Board.
Perform other related duties as necessary or assigned.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate has extensive experience overseeing nonprofit fundraising in the Bay Area. Are proactive, detail-oriented, and focused on measurable results. Additional qualifications are:

Proven track record of developing successful fundraising strategies and results, particularly in major gift fundraising.
Goal-driven “self-starter” who thrives on initiating donor visits and fundraising calls and preparing the Executive Director, Board members, and staff to be fundraising ambassadors for the organization.
Demonstrated ability to motivate and hold individuals and teams accountable to fundraising goals.
Working knowledge of development best practices, trends in development, fundraising tools and technology (including donor databases), and donor research.
Understanding of the Silicon Valley and Alameda County philanthropic culture and philanthropic connections.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training/experience and at least 4 years of work experience in development for a nonprofit or similar organization.
Experience fundraising for a $1 million+ budget.
Demonstrated success in raising significant capital annually from both individual and corporate sources.
Creative and independent strategic thinking with the ability to proactively develop new ideas, cultivate buy-in with other staff members, and manage implementation and assessment.
Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work effectively and build relationships with internal and external constituencies, including colleagues and current and prospective donors.
Strong written and oral communication skills to express Upward Scholars’ mission and goals with clarity, persuasion, and finesse.
Excellent attention to detail, organizational, and time management skills.
Quick learner and creative problem solver.
Experience using Microsoft Office/Google Suite or similar software, Mac/PC hardware knowledge, and CRM databases (i.e., Salesforce).
Sensitivity to the challenges faced by under-served populations.
Experience working collaboratively and successfully with people and organizations from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, ideological positions, and religious views.
Work under general supervision, exercising significant independent judgment.
Desired skill: bilingual in English and at least one other language spoken by most program participants, e.g., Spanish.

Additional Requirements

Must be authorized to work in the United States of America.
Must work from the office location, currently in Menlo Park, CA.
Must be willing to flex schedule to engage donors when they’re available; this may involve occasional evening and weekend work.
Passion for education and Upward Scholars’ mission.
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Access to reliable transportation to donor, program, and partner sites via a personal vehicle with a valid CA driver’s license, public transit, or other means.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a Full-Time position. The salary for this position is commensurate with experience, within the $100K-$125K range. This job requires onsite/community-based work. This position has excellent health, dental, and vision benefits, paid holidays, vacation days, and sick days. Candidates from beyond the San Francisco Bay Area are encouraged to apply, but funds are unavailable for relocation or housing assistance.