Director of Development

Summary

Join AI4ALL as the Director of Development, reporting directly to the CEO. Lead and scale the organization's comprehensive fundraising strategy, aligning with long-term goals. Establish and operationalize the development function, including relationship building, program growth, and systems optimization. Partner with the CEO to craft and execute a multi-channel fundraising strategy aiming to raise $5M in 2025 and beyond $10M thereafter. Expand the donor base across corporate, individual, and foundation giving, securing funding for innovative initiatives. Engage with the board of directors to drive fundraising efforts. This is a pivotal opportunity to build a development department from the ground up.

Requirements

• 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising and development experience, including a proven record of meeting or exceeding ambitious fundraising targets in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated expertise in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with a history of closing gifts of $500,000+
• Strong existing network within the philanthropic and corporate sectors, with a focus on social impact and sustainability
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders including donors, partners, and board members
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messaging and serve as a spokesperson for the organization
• Proficiency with fundraising applications using available data to perform comprehensive donor data analysis and reporting (Google Workspace, Excel and Salesforce)
• Strong understanding of data utilization and management, as well as the effective use of fundraising technology and data for strategic operations and decision-making
• Experience leading and managing a diverse and geographically distributed team with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, delegate responsibility, and inspire, engage and motivate staff
• A growth mindset and entrepreneurial spirit, eager to innovate, iterate, and drive continuous improvement in fundraising strategies and outcomes

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a diversified, comprehensive fundraising strategy across corporate, foundation, government, and individual giving to support both immediate and long-term organizational goals
• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, advising on fundraising opportunities and execution
• Build and maintain a dynamic pipeline for high-impact fundraising opportunities, managing projections and forecasting against annual fundraising goals
• Establish a project management framework for tracking fundraising activities and progress, ensuring transparency and accountability
• Lead cross-functional coordination to align internal teams, the board, and external stakeholders in support of fundraising efforts
• Create and manage annual fundraising budgets, providing analysis and performance reporting
• Adapt and evolve strategies based on data insights, market conditions, and organizational needs
• Lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of key donors, including individual annual, mid-level, and planned giving prospects
• Design and implement a comprehensive donor relations program that prioritizes personalized engagement, responsive communication, and consistent stewardship
• Foster positive relationships with donors, ensuring sustained engagement and funding by maintaining contact and proactively educating donors on outcomes and results of AI4ALL’s efforts
• Craft innovative retention and growth strategies to deepen relationships with existing donors while expanding outreach to new prospects
• Partner with marketing and communications to ensure consistent and compelling brand messaging and adherence across all development materials
• Builds upon a branding strategy to craft tailored pitches and collateral that resonate with various donor segments, leveraging insights on donor interests and values, and AI4ALL’s mission
• Conducts thorough research on prospective donors to customize pitches, aligning fundraising efforts with broader organizational goals and funding opportunities
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing development team, including future hires and existing staff, such as a part-time grant writer
• Provide support, guidance, and professional development opportunities for team members, cultivating a collaborative and results-oriented culture
• Oversee the grant writing process, ensuring proposals align with organizational priorities to secure support from corporate, private foundations, and government agencies
• Participate in preparing Board meeting materials, and serve as staff resource for the Board’s Fundraising Committee
• Contribute to continued growth of the organization through team development, participation in team discussions and Board of Directors decisions

Preferred Qualifications

• Are passionate about increasing diversity and inclusion in artificial intelligence
• Thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment; adaptability is key
• Have experience working with populations who have been historically excluded from the AI sector
• Artificial intelligence and/or Technology Education experience is a plus
• Knowledge of QuickBooks is a plus

Benefits

• A target starting salary of $115,000 - $130,000 per year
• A comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance program
• Simple IRA with up to 3% matching contributions
• Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 9 sick days, 12 holidays, a one-week December closure, and up to 4 paid wellness days off per year
• Generous stipends for Professional Development and for home office
• A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization
• An organizational culture and work-life balance that supports staff well-being
• Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve
• Remote-first organization