Development Manager

Development Manager

The Oakland Literacy Coalition (OLC) is seeking an impact-driven and dynamic Development Manager to grow our base of supporters and bring creative ideas and strategic approaches to build our fundraising efforts. The Development Manager is a key position as we grow, working to ensure that the OLC has the resources needed to advance our mission and deepen our impact. Reporting to and working closely with the Founding Co-Directors, the Development Manager will execute against a number of key fundraising goals including individuals, grants, sponsorships, and special events. This is a great role for a mid-level Development professional looking to grow with an integral Oakland nonprofit, and the Development Manager will represent OLC in the community, cultivating new funders and donors while promoting the organization’s mission, vision, and core values.

This is a full-time, exempt position (40 hours per week) based in Oakland, CA. Majority of work will be from our office with flexibility for some remote work. Occasional evening and weekend hours will be required. 

This is a salaried position with an annual compensation ranging from $75,000 to $80,000. The position includes competitive benefits: comprehensive health insurance and health FSA plan, Simple IRA retirement plan with company match, vacation/sick leave, and 12 paid holidays plus a paid winter break.

ABOUT THE OAKLAND LITERACY COALITION

Building a future where all Oakland students are afforded their civil right to literacy will take all of us. That’s why the OLC fosters a diverse coalition of community organizations and agencies with the mission of working together to ensure that every Oakland child learns and loves to read. 

Through our 2023-2026 strategic plan, we are growing our programs and organization to deepen our impact as an effective and sustainable literacy hub for Oakland. Our passionate and entrepreneurial team, led by two women Founding Co-Directors, takes pride in fostering a positive culture of excellence, collaboration, continuous learning, accountability, and integrity in line with our guiding beliefs and values. 

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES: 

Fund Development Strategy (15%)

• Under supervision of the Founding Co-Directors, develop and manage the annual fundraising plan with strategies for diverse funding streams, including grants, individual fundraising campaigns, major gifts, sponsorships, corporate giving, and fundraising events. 
• Manage all deadlines, workflows, and project plans for fundraising activities—including internal timelines for collection of information from other staff—to ensure timely completion and high rate of successful funding requests and events.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison for the Board Development Committee and support the Board of Directors to grow engagement in fundraising. 
• Be accountable for meeting the fundraising targets and goals for which you are responsible.

Cultivating & Stewarding Donor Relationships (40%)

• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective donors that lead to high level support. Actively seek to deepen current donor relationships and forge new ones. Develop plans for donor engagement and communications.
• Build a strong base of corporate, public, and private funders. Conduct regular prospect research and networking to secure new grant, sponsorship, and other institutional funding sources and manage relationships to ensure continued support. 
• Represent the OLC in various community engagement events and activities. Seek out and secure new networks of prospective supporters and identify appropriate channels to engage them. 
• Craft compelling narratives and pitches that tell the OLC’s story, convey the value and impact of our work, and inspire others to support. 
• Manage the fundraising work of the Founding Co-Directors by setting up major donor meetings, conducting background research, crafting pitches, and tracking outreach to key donors/partners

Building & Growing Funding Streams (40%)

• Develop and execute creative and engaging fundraising campaigns to bolster fund development through a range of tactics and approaches.
• Manage the OLC’s grants portfolio and deliverables. Manage grant writing contractor(s) and work closely with the Founding Co-Directors and Program Managers to produce accurate and highly effective grant materials, ensuring timely submission.
• Oversee the sponsorship program for the annual Literacy & Justice for All Symposium, with support of a contractor.
• Support planning and execution of fundraising and donor cultivation events in collaboration with Founding Co-Directors and Board of Directors.
• Collaborate with the Communications Manager to develop fundraising communications and marketing collateral.

Fundraising Operations (5%)

• Manage our donor database (Kindful) and ensure that donor records are maintained, and donations are recorded and acknowledged accurately, appropriately, and in a timely manner.
• Prepare timely, accurate, and compelling reports (such as Annual Report, statistical, and narrative) for submission to funders, leadership, and Board of Directors.
• Other duties as assigned by the Founding Co-Directors. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE YOU’LL BRING TO THE OLC:

• 3+ years of nonprofit fund development work experience and a track-record of successful fundraising through multiple channels (e.g. individuals, grants, sponsorships).
• Polished, persuasive, and authentic interpersonal and written communication skills. Skilled storyteller with the ability to craft inspiring narratives about the OLC’s work and impact.
• Personable and enthusiastic about meeting new people and introducing and pitching the OLC to new networks and audiences. Comfortable and poised speaking in front of groups. 
• You are a careful and perceptive listener who enjoys building relationships with people from all walks of life and understands how to inspire and motivate others through shared goals and values. 
• You are an outstanding, highly organized, and efficient project manager who can lead simultaneous, complex, collaborative projects from concept to implementation on tight deadlines. Proactive problem solver who can multitask and prioritize in a dynamic environment. 
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
• You hold high standards for your quality of work, take ownership of your goals, and demonstrate accountability for performance and results. 
• You are an optimistic self-starter with the drive and enthusiasm to navigate through ambiguity to produce high-quality results. Collaborative spirit and team orientation coupled with the ability to work independently as part of a small, fast-paced, and growing organization.
• You think of new, creative ways to achieve our goals and enjoy taking on new challenges. You are bold and confident in your ideas and willing to take risks in service of what’s needed. 
• You are passionate about the OLC’s mission and committed to educational equity and justice.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY + COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Oakland Literacy Coalition is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to creating a diverse staff and inclusive environment. We especially encourage members of historically marginalized communities to apply for this role. 

In compliance with applicable laws, the Oakland Literacy Coalition does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, color, national origin or ancestry, cultural background, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, primary language, citizenship, or immigration status.