Development Director

Salary: Up to $90,000

Organization: Strategic Concepts in Organizing & Policy Education (SCOPE)

Position: Development Director

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt, Staff Position

Supervisor: Executive Director

Position Description:

SCOPE seeks an experienced and highly motivated Development Director to lead the organizations fundraising efforts. The Development Director is responsible for managing all aspects of SCOPEs fund development strategy, including grant development, major donor giving, grassroots fundraising, and supervising the Grant Writer. We are looking for a seasoned candidate with a strategic development vision, management experience, and excellent writing skills. This position provides an exciting opportunity for a compelling storyteller to articulate and advance a racial, economic, and environmental justice narrative that increases resources and builds power for grassroots organizations. The Development Director reports to the Executive Director, supports SCOPEs Board of Directors in strategic development projects, and serves as an integral member of the leadership team.

Organization Overview:

SCOPE builds grassroots power in low-income communities of color to eliminate economic, environmental, and racial disparities. Established in 1993 in response to the 1992 civil unrest in South Los Angeles, SCOPEs work is grounded in the needs and priorities of South LA residents, who are largely Black, Latinx, and immigrant, and live on the frontlines of pollution and poverty. As a membership-based organization, SCOPE plays a critical role in the movement for systemic changeorganizing marginalized communities of color and poor and working-class residents to ensure that they have a powerful voice in the decisions that impact them. SCOPE organizes communities, develops grassroots leaders, builds alliances, and engages in strategic research and communications to advance policy solutions that shift power and resources to low-income communities of color.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Fundraising (60%)

• Develop and lead the overall fund development strategy for the organization, ensuring alignment with SCOPEs mission and goals and guiding the direction of the organization.
• Collaborate with the Executive Management Team to set long-term fundraising goals and integrate fundraising strategies into organizational plans.
• Identify, research, and cultivate new funding opportunities, including foundation, government, and socially responsible corporate funders, as well as alternative revenue-generating opportunities, such as fee-for-service trainings, grassroots fundraising projects, or revenue-generating publications.
• Oversee the development and submission of grant proposals, ensuring timely and accurate submission of all required materials, and working closely with Program staff to develop content.
• Serve as a primary liaison with funders, building and maintaining strong relationships and representing SCOPE at meetings and events.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies for SCOPE Action, the 501c4 arm of SCOPE, including donor cultivation, grant applications, budgets and financial reports.

Donor Development and Engagement (20%)

• Lead efforts to increase individual donor contributions, including developing and implementing donor cultivation and stewardship strategies.
• Oversee the planning and execution of special fundraising events and campaigns, including grassroots donor and membership drives.
• Manage donor communications, ensuring timely and personalized interactions that strengthen donor relationships.
• Develop and maintain a donor database, ensuring accurate tracking of donations and donor interactions.

Team and Department Management (15%)

• Supervise and mentor Development staff, providing guidance and support to ensure effective execution of fundraising strategies.
• Implement SCOPEs policies and procedures, ensuring that all fundraising activities align with the organization's vision and mission.
• Support the Executive Director in presenting development plans and updates to the Board of Directors, and engage with specific board committees as needed.
• Collaborate with Administrative and Finance staff to produce accurate financial reports and budgets.

Organizational and Administrative Duties (5%)

• As part of SCOPEs Management Team, collaborate and coordinate with SCOPE staff and departments to integrate development functions into organizational plans and strategies.
• Actively participate in SCOPE Executive Team meetings, contributing to long-term strategic planning, guiding union bargaining issues, and providing input on hiring and other organizational decisions.
• Participate in monthly staff meetings, organizational events, annual staff retreats, and other staff activities.
• Develop and implement systems to support the effective management and tracking of fundraising activities.

Essential Knowledge and Abilities:

• 5+ years of experience in development and fundraising within political or nonprofit organizations.
• Bachelors Degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• A demonstrated commitment to social justice, racial justice and a familiarity with the intertwined, intersectional issues that shape material conditions in low-income and communities of color, as well as their structural/root causes.
• Management experience supervising and mentoring staff, with a commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven track record of securing major gifts, grants, and other funding sources.
• Strong strategic planning skills, with the ability to develop and execute fundraising strategies.
• Proficiency with computer systems; Microsoft suite, Google, Outlook, Accounting Software Quickbooks.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends, when necessary.
• Access to reliable transportation required.

Preferred Knowledge and Abilities:

• Understanding of the social justice movement, fundraising landscape, and relationships with foundations.
• Familiarity with relationship between 501c3 and 501c4 organizations.
• Familiarity with grassroots organizing, voter engagement, and campaigns.
• Experience in managing government contracts and compliance requirements.
• Event planning experience.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Work Environment: This position operates 100% on site in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones and photocopiers. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job requires that the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Also required is the ability to listen, hear, speak, read, write, concentrate, and climb stairs, bend, and stoop. Must be able to use a telephone and computer to accomplish a variety of job tasks.

Employment Type: This is a full-time, exempt, at-will staff position. Exempt employees are expected to work the appropriate and necessary time within reason in order to complete key assignments and related tasks on schedule, and serve a probationary period during their first six months of employment.

Compensation & Benefits: Competitive starting salary of $85,000 - $90,000 fully paid benefits (health/dental/vision), 401k, generous vacation and sick time, professional development, and room to grow professionally. SCOPE is a values-based organization committed to challenging discrimination and oppressionpeople of color and people of diverse gender identities and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

To Apply: Please submit 1) a one-page cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) three professional references via email to: acollins@scopela.org; include Development Director in the subject line.