Development Manager

For The People (FTP) is the national nonprofit working with prosecutors to identify people in prison who can be safely released, reuniting families and strengthening communities for generations to come. We work with elected prosecutors to reevaluate past sentences and, where it can be shown that a current sentence is no longer in the interest of justice, we support the prosecuting agencies through the resentencing and prison release process. To learn more, visit fortheppl.org.

About the Position

The Development Manager is a critical operational role responsible for the seamless execution of the organization’s fundraising infrastructure. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Manager ensures that the foundation of the development department is secure, organized, and highly efficient. This role focuses on systems management, data integrity, and providing high-level administrative support to the CEO, Operations Director and Strategic Development Consultant. Our ideal candidate is a problem-solver with a growth mindset who thrives on creating efficiency and streamlining complex tasks. The Development Manager acts as a "force multiplier," handling the behind-the-scenes coordination and proactive stewardship that allows the CEO to remain focused on high-level strategy and relationship-building.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Development Operations & Systems Management

• Manage day-to-day tracking, systems, and processes to ensure the development program runs efficiently.
• Serve as the primary administrator for Salesforce, ensuring 100% data accuracy for all donor records, gift processing, and pipeline tracking.
• Partner with the Finance team to conduct monthly reconciliations, ensuring all development records align with organizational accounting.
• Utilize data and statistics to track fundraising progress, generating custom reports and dashboards for the Executive Team and Board of Directors.
• Proactively identify inefficiencies in the development workflow and implement streamlined systems to boost team productivity.
• Grant Management & Writing
• Draft grant applications and proposals, providing meticulous editing and oversight for submissions developed by others.
• Coordinate with programmatic teams to ensure grant milestones, deliverables, and reporting deadlines are met during the grant period.
• Executive Fundraising Support
• Draft high-stakes email correspondence and funder communications, ensuring all touchpoints are professional, timely, and aligned with organizational messaging.
• Execute bespoke donor touchpoints for the CEO, including sharing relevant articles, organizational updates, and post-travel insights with key supporters to maintain consistent engagement.
• Collaborate across teams to prepare comprehensive briefing materials, research folders, and fundraising assets, while providing operational support for all funder meetings and executive events.
• Funder Relations, Research & Stewardship
• Serve as the primary administrative point of contact for funders, managing logistics and responding to inquiries with care and professionalism.
• Oversee and develop stewardship strategies, including sending thank-you letters and acknowledgment materials to donors.
• Partners with the Communications team to provide operational support for fundraising events and digital campaigns, such as Giving Tuesday.
• Grants & Pipeline Management
• Manage external grant-writing contractor and draft original proposals and applications, providing meticulous editing and oversight to ensure all submissions meet organizational quality standards and align with programmatic goals.
• Coordinate with programmatic teams to ensure 100% of grant milestones, deliverables, and reporting deadlines are met during the grant period.
• Conduct deep-dive research on potential funding partners, analyzing 990s, alignment metrics, and major funding opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A driving passion for FTP’s mission to reduce the number of people serving excessive sentences across the nation and restore human dignity to the incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and all who are impacted by the criminal justice system.
• 3+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a deep understanding of the nonprofit philanthropy ecosystem and best practices.
• A proactive, operational mindset and the ability to manage fundraising systems and execute strategies.
• A proven track record of maintaining impeccable records and managing complex, multi-step processes without oversight.
• Experience developing and executing comprehensive donor stewardship programs that prioritize long-term relationship health.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to write successful grant proposals and adapt to a specific executive and organizational voice.
• Demonstrated integrity, empathy, and curiosity while effectively collaborating across teams.
• Advanced proficiency in Salesforce (required) and Google Suite. Experience with Asana or similar project management platforms is highly desirable.
• BA (required), MA (a plus)

Location

We believe there is great value in working and collaborating face-to-face; therefore, our preference is to have the Development Manager located in California and able to work in our Oakland office a minimum of 2 days per week. However, we are open to considering a flexible arrangement for the right candidate.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience; Salary range $98,000 – $108,000
• 100%-paid benefits package for the employee, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, holidays, and paid time off
• Tailored opportunities for professional development
• Option to enroll in 403(b) retirement plan

How To Apply

Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Submit the information below at: https://fortheppl.bamboohr.com/jobs/

• a resume;
• a cover letter that describes why you are interested in the role, your qualifications, and specifics regarding your experience and successes in prior development roles;
• 3 references from people familiar with your qualifications.

Diversity, Inclusion, Justice, and Equity Statement

FTP works every day to serve justice, and that begins with our team. We are inclusive. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view. We believe diversity drives creativity, understanding, and effectiveness, so we are continuing to build a culture where difference is not only valued but sought after. We strive to create a team that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States to be considered for this role.

Request for Accommodations

If you require accommodations to review and/or apply for this position, please contact For The People at info@fortheppl.org, and appropriate accommodations will be provided.

For The People is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks to have our staff reflect the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those formerly incarcerated and/or system-involved. We look at each applicant’s full experience and consider each applicant. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system and its impacts are strongly encouraged to apply.