Director of Development

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Created by two Black women, ELSO, Inc. is a community-rooted organization advancing liberatory, justice-centered learning through science, nature, and design. We create experiences that affirm the whole selves of Black and Brown youthcentering joy, belonging, cultural knowledge, and environmental and social responsibility. Our work cultivates science learners and future innovators while challenging systems that have historically excluded Black and Brown communities from natural, scientific, and built environments.

ELSO's programs and partnerships are grounded in environmental, racial, and social justice, and in the belief that young people thrive when they see themselves reflected in what they learn, where they learn, and who leads. As we approach our 10-year anniversary, ELSO is strengthening its institutional infrastructure to support long-term sustainability, community accountability, and national impact.

POSITION OVERVIEW

ELSO is seeking a mission-driven Director of Development to join the organization at a pivotal stage of growth. This senior leadership role is responsible for advancing ELSO's fundraising strategy during a critical period that includes a multi-year capital campaign, ELSO's 10-Year Anniversary Jubilee, and deeper engagement with the National Advisory Council.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this position serves as a strategic partner to Executive Leadership and holds primary accountability for achieving annual and long-term fundraising and fund development goals. The Director of Development leads ELSO's fundraising strategy, manages key donor relationships, and cultivates a strong culture of philanthropy across staff, board, and community.

In addition, this role carries an Oregon Site Director designation, providing on-the-ground leadership for ELSO's Portland-based team. The Site Director ensures consistency, professionalism, and alignment with organizational values when Executive Leadership is not physically present, without altering existing programmatic or operational reporting structures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES


Strategic Fundraising Leadership
Responsible for oversight of Philanthropy & Engagement department including the communications strategy and plan, and fund development strategy and fundraising plan
Lead the development and execution of ELSO's annual and long-term fundraising strategy in partnership with the Executive Director
Play a central leadership role in planning and advancing ELSO's capital campaign
Hold primary accountability for meeting or exceeding annual fundraising goals across individual, corporate, campaign, and event-based giving
Provide clear reporting, analysis, and forecasting to Executive Leadership and Board leadership
Partner with the Executive Director and National Advisory Council on donor strategy, prospect preparation, and stewardship
Guide fundraising priorities to align with organizational strategy and programmatic needs
Lead national foundation relations and responsible for the grants management system and working with grant writers

Donor & Partnership Development


Individual & Major Gifts


Build, manage, and grow a diverse portfolio of individual donors and prospects
Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of high-impact individual donors
Support Executive Director and Board members in donor cultivation and solicitation

Corporate & Institutional Partnerships


Develop and steward corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and employee giving opportunities
Identify and grow relationships with Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
Collaborate with internal teams to align sponsorships with programmatic and community goals

Campaigns & Events


Lead and manage ELSO's annual fundraising campaigns, including end-of-year and spring campaigns
Provide strategic leadership for fundraising components of major events, including the 10-Year Anniversary Jubilee, We're Joyful Rooftop Social, and smaller donor cultivation events
Partner with the Storytelling & Communications Manager to align messaging, timing, and donor engagement strategies
Collaborate with the Executive Director on event narratives, appeals, and donor experiences
Ensure annual community and program outreach strategy is successfully implemented to reach outreach and program impact goals

Team Leadership & Systems


Manage and support the development team, including the Donor Relations Manager, Development Intern, and contracted grant writers
Oversee donor database integrity and fundraising systems (NEON)
Ensure consistent documentation, moves management, and stewardship practices
Model and reinforce a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization

Oregon Site Director Responsibilities


As Oregon Site Director, this role provides site-based leadership focused on professionalism, culture, and accountability

Serve as the on-site leadership presence for ELSO's Portland operations
Uphold and enforce organizational policies including Code of Conduct, business hours, and dress policy
Foster a professional, respectful, and values-aligned workplace culture
Address site-level conduct and professionalism concerns in real time and document recurring issues
Monitor staff presence, punctuality, and adherence to workplace expectations
Communicate site-level trends, concerns, and needs to Executive Leadership and Head of Operations

Note: Staff continue to report to their functional supervisors. The Site Director holds authority related to site expectations and conduct, not programmatic or operational performance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS


Must be able to pass a background check as required by the Oregon Department of Education for positions that work directly with youth (Oregon State Department of Education Disqualifying Crimes 342.143)
Proficiency with, or willingness to learn, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, Google applications such as Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, etc., as well as donor management software Neon
Track record of building and maintaining strong relationships, good communication skills and creative, out of the box thinking
5-7 years direct fundraising (not grant writing) and/or donor relations experience
5-7 years cultivating and stewarding donors
Working knowledge of non-profit organizational structure
Experience making direct asks and converting one-time donors into recurring donors
2+ years of managing staff, direct reports
Experience managing and developing a fundraising department budget (including events budgets, income reporting, gifts in kind)
Capital Campaign management experience
Experience managing internal and external (including outreach and campaign) communications
Lived experience in a marginalized community / strong mission alignment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS


3+ years planning large scale outreach and fundraising events
Experience managing a diverse site-based team
2+ years as major gift officer

BENEFITS


Flexible schedule
100% covered Health Insurance
Life Insurance
100% covered Vision Insurance
100% covered Dental Insurance
Generous Sick, Vacation, Holiday and PTO Days
Phone and Internet Stipend
Mileage coverage
ELSO will supply all office essentials (computer, mouse, keyboard, printer, pens, paper, etc.) to staff working from a home office as well as subscriptions to required software

TO APPLY:


Visit our website careers page: ELSO Inc., | Portland Click on careers.

ELSO, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing an organization that is reflective of the diverse communities we serve. ELSO does not discriminate on the basis of race, class creed, gender, gender expression, religion, sex, nationality, or ability.

Flexible work from home options available.