Development Director

Organizational Overview 

Hope CommUnity Center (HCC) is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We cultivate an environment where all staff, Board members, volunteers, and community members feel valued and empowered. Through our work, we aim to advance justice locally and globally, challenging systems of oppression and supporting immigrant and marginalized communities. 

Mission Statement 

HCC fosters diverse and empowered learning communities engaged in personal and societal transformation. Through service and advocacy, we stand with immigrants and others who are courageous in the face of systemic oppression. 

Position Summary 

The Development Director is a senior leader on HCC’s Executive Team, responsible for managing and implementing the organization’s fundraising and communications strategy. This role ensures financial sustainability, public visibility, and growth through strategic donor engagement, institutional fundraising, communications, and team leadership. The Development Director collaborates closely with the Executive Director, Board, staff, donors, and community partners to secure resources needed to advance HCC’s mission and strengthen movement-building work. 

Essential Functions 

Strategic Fundraising & Communications Leadership (20%) 

1. Partner with the Executive Director to develop annual fundraising and communications goals and strategies.
2. Lead execution of plans, monitor progress, and adjust strategies as needed.
3. Provide regular updates to the Board and the leadership team.
4. Serve as strategic advisor on donor engagement, public messaging, and external positioning.
5. Ensure all fundraising and communications efforts align with HCC’s mission, values, and community priorities.

Institutional Fundraising (20%) 

1. Oversee the institutional funding strategy, including grants, foundation relationships, and reporting. 
2. Manage the full grant cycle: research, cultivation, submission, compliance, and reporting. 
3. Serve as the primary contact for foundation partners, ensuring strong stewardship and relationship growth. 
4. Identify and pursue new institutional funding opportunities.
5. Collaborate with program and communications staff on proposals, reports, and funder materials. 
6. Represent HCC in foundation meetings and events. 
7. Create and deliver tailored pitch decks and presentations for corporate, regional, statewide, national, and family foundations. 
8. Prepare briefing materials and talking points for the Executive Director. 

Individual Donor Fundraising (30%) 

1. Develop strategies to grow individual giving, including annual campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, and special events. 
2. Lead end-of-year giving efforts and coordinate at least two special fundraising events annually. 
3. Build and maintain systems for donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. 
4. Conduct donor meetings and solicit gifts directly. 
5. Prepare and coordinate donor meetings for the Executive Director. 
6. Oversee online fundraising initiatives with communications support. 
7. Create research-driven, tailored pitches for individual donors. 
8. Identify grassroots fundraising opportunities aligned with programs and community needs. 

Communications (15%) 

1. Supervise and mentor the Communications Lead. 
2. Develop and implement strategic communications plans to advance HCC’s mission, fundraising, and public profile. 
3. Oversee internal and external communications, including newsletters, social media, website content, and press releases. 
4. Lead crisis communications with timely and value-aligned messaging. 
5. Ensure consistent storytelling and messaging across initiatives. 
6. Analyze communications metrics to optimize engagement and impact. 

Organizational Leadership & Team Management (10%) 

1. Supervise and support the Grants Administrator. 
2. Set goals, performance benchmarks, and accountability systems. 
3. Promote cross-departmental collaboration and alignment. 
4. Serve on the Executive Leadership Team and contribute to organizational strategy. 
5. Foster trust and cohesion across development, communications, and leadership teams. 

Systems, Data, and Infrastructure (5%) 

1. Maintain and optimize donor, grant, and fundraising data systems. 
2. Analyze data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for growth. 
3. Ensure accurate, compliant, and well-organized donor and funder records. 

Required Qualifications 

1. Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, marketing, or related field, or at least 5 years of nonprofit/relevant experience (Master’s preferred). 
2. 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising, development, or communications experience, including major gifts and/or institutional grants. 
3. Proven success securing major gifts, foundation funding, and diversified revenue. 
4. Experience with fundraising in movement-building, grassroots, labor, or community-based organizations. 
5. Entrepreneurial, proactive approach with the ability to identify and pursue new opportunities. 
6. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing and presentations. 
7. Leadership experience supervising staff or cross-functional teams with equity-centered practices. 
8. Excellent relationship-building skills across diverse communities and stakeholders. 
9. Resilience, adaptability, and accountability in fast-paced environments. 
10. Experience with CRM and donor databases and using data to inform strategy. 

Preferred Qualifications 

1. Prior experience as a Development Director or senior development leader. 
2. Experience with high-net-worth donors, progressive fundraising networks, funder collaboratives, or earned revenue initiatives. 
3. Experience implementing or improving CRM and donor management systems. 
4. Familiarity with social justice–focused, grassroots, or community-based organizations. 
5. Experience with immigrant, working-class, or culturally diverse communities. 
6. Knowledge of capacity building, movement infrastructure, or long-term organizational sustainability. 

Mission & Cultural Competencies 

Candidates must demonstrate: 

1. Commitment to HCC’s mission of justice, equity, and community empowerment. 
2. Ability to work respectfully and effectively with diverse communities, including immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and communities of color. 
3. Alignment with HCC’s values of dignity, liberation, and justice. 
4. Cultural humility, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving skills. 

Work Environment & Schedule 

1. Primarily office-based with hybrid flexibility. 
2. Occasional evening/weekend work for events and community engagements. 
3. Minimal physical demands; some light activity required during events. 

Key Performance Indicators 

1. Achieve annual fundraising goal of $3.8M. 
2. Cultivate and steward 20 new major donors annually. 
3. Maintain 85% donor retention rate. 
4. Acquire five new institutional funders or renew existing partnerships. 
5. Implement CRM or fundraising data improvements successfully.

Salary Range 

$70,000 – $80,000 annually, dependent on experience. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 

HCC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and other underrepresented groups. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or other protected status. 

Disclaimer 

This job description is not exhaustive. Responsibilities may be modified to meet organizational needs. 

Contact 

Jochua Cora Santiago, Human Resource Generalist: [email protected]