(Non Profit ) Development Director

About Equality California and Equality California Institute:

Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization with over 900,000 members. Equality California brings the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. Celebrating 25 years, Equality California has been fighting for full, lived LGBTQ+ equality in a number of ways: electing pro-equality leaders up and down the ballot; passing pro-equality legislation in California, Nevada and Washington, DC; and fighting for LGBTQ+ civil rights and social justice in the courtroom. For the purpose of this job description, “Equality California'' is used as an umbrella term for Equality California and its sister organization,

Equality California Institute. Equality California Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization that has a parallel mission to Equality California, its 501(c)(4) counterpart. Equality California Institute works to achieve full, lived LGBTQ+ equality by reducing disparities in LGBTQ+ health and well-being, developing a pipeline of LGBTQ+ leaders and increasing civic participation within the LGBTQ+ community.

Equality California is proud to partner with and recognize the Communications Workers of America (CWA) as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for our team.

Position Overview:
The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to play a senior, strategic role within the organization to meet and achieve revenue and engagement goals.

We are interested in a team member who is innovative, detail-oriented, and passionate about fundraising for a civil rights and social justice organization. At EQCA, we are committed to carrying out our work in ways that are strategic and create an impact on the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.

The Development Director will work collaboratively with senior leadership to manage the fundraising programs for Equality California and Equality California Institute overseeing a development department with a staff of six. The Development Director will report to the Managing Director of Operations and Executive Director.

EQCA is a fast-paced and collaborative environment and, as such, candidates must be able to multi-task, prioritize, problem-solve, and supervise staff.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

Development Planning: Developing and updating fundraising plans and strategies to meet organizational fundraising budgets and objectives.

Corporate Fundraising: Research, identify, and build relationships with new potential sources of corporate funding; enhance relationships with existing corporations; write sponsorship proposals, and ongoing correspondence with funders.

Special Events: Working with the Development team and external event producers (on select events), lead planning and execution of special events for the organization, including six Equality Awards, six Pride Parties, and 9-12 cultivation events (all events across the state and in Nevada). Support board-driven house parties and other opportunities as they arise.

Individual Fundraising: Oversee development and delivery of meaningful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities for current and prospective donors, including direct mail, and online giving programs; oversee special and major donor programs including our Capitol Club and Leadership Circle programs and a new grassroots entry-level membership program whose creation is currently in process; engage executive director, board, and other staff in achievement of annual fundraising goals; drive aggressive prospect research and data analysis to identify new supporters; and rigorously evaluate and adapt programs as needed to maximize net income.

Prospect Pipeline: With the Associate Director for Donor Relations, manage a robust major donor prospect pipeline for yourself, the Executive Director, and select members of senior staff. The candidate will personally manage their own portfolio of 500-100 board members, prospects, and high-level donors.

Leadership and Integration: Provide overall strategic leadership to Equality California and its board from the perspective of resource development. Also, with outside consultants, lead development efforts in the creation of a new five-year strategic plan with engagement, and growth and diversification of revenue sources centered.

Management: Supervise a six-person development team including two Associate Directors of Developments, a Manager of Donor Relationships, a Senior Database Associate, Events Manager, and Events Associates.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in planning and leading innovative and successful fundraising programs.
• Excellent planning and metrics-based project and team management skills.
• Demonstrated success in raising funds from individual, major donors, corporate donors, and foundations, as well as cultivating and stewarding those relationships.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in working independently, as part of a team, and in managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated skill and passion for developing relationships with diverse groups of people – including donors, colleagues, staff, board members, partners, elected officials, and others.
• Experience with direct mail & online fundraising.
• Familiarity with fundraising databases and project management tools.
• Passion for the mission and vision of Equality California.
• Highly organized and efficient.
• Accurate, meticulous work style with high standards of quality and attention to detail.
• Requires a flexible schedule including working evenings and weekends as needed, as well as regular travel across California and Nevada.
• This role requires a reliable vehicle with a valid driver’s license and car insurance. *Mileage is reimbursed.

Benefits:
Free, fully sponsored medical insurance and additional PPO options.
Dental, vision, short- and long-term disability.
Company-sponsored life insurance and an option for voluntary life as additional coverage.
You will receive a one-time $150 in your first paycheck to assist with setting up or maximizing your home workspace.
We offer $50 per month for your cell phone. Additionally, because we respect your privacy, you will be provided a Zoom phone number to mask your phone number.
$50 per month for internet service.
Your birthday off as a paid day off
2 Paid personal days off per year.
2 paid floating holidays to be used for religious/ cultural holidays/events of your choice.
3 weeks of accrued paid vacation.
12 days of sick leave
8 hours for civic engagement of your choice outside of EQCA
Paid Winter break - the last week of the year is a paid week off break.
401k retirement plan with company matches.
Comp days and more.

To apply:

Please email your resume and cover letter to jobs@eqca.org with the subject line “Development Director – [YOUR NAME]” in the subject line of your email.

Policies at Equality California:
Equality California is an equal employment opportunity employer. Equality California does not make employment decisions or discriminate based on protected characteristics including, but not limited to, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles (which includes, but is not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, locks, and twists)), creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and/or gender expression), sexual orientation, age, disability (physical or mental, citizenship, military or veteran status, reproductive health decision making, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, and federal law.

We strongly encourage diverse candidates to apply, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, people of diverse gender identities, and non-LGBTQ+ allies.

Qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with the requirements of the California Consumer Reporting Agencies Act and Los Angeles’s Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

keywords: fundraising, business development, gifts, major gifts, corporate sponsors, non-profit