Job Description

The Director of Development leads ACE’s comprehensive fundraising, grants, and donor engagement strategies to ensure sustainable financial growth and alignment with the organization’s mission. This role oversees all aspects of fund development — including grants, major gifts, annual giving, and events — while cultivating partnerships that expand ACE’s visibility, impact, and resources. The Director collaborates closely with the CEO, Board Advancement Committee, and leadership team to execute a cohesive, equity-driven development plan that supports ACE’s long-term goals. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic Leadership and Planning:

• Direct and manage all aspects of ACE’s fund development program, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and strategic goals.
• Develop and implement an overarching, multi-year fundraising strategy that diversifies revenue streams across grants, major gifts, annual giving, and corporate or community partnerships, while supporting ACE’s long-term sustainability.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Board Advancement Committee to develop, implement, and periodically update short- and long-term fundraising and development plans.
• Participate actively as a member of the executive leadership team to ensure integration of development goals across programs and organizational initiatives.
• Conduct regular assessments to identify current resource and funding gaps and to forecast short- and long-term funding needs across ACE programs.

2. Fundraising, Donor Relations, and Stewardship:

• Collaborate with ACE’s Marketing team to design and execute diversified fundraising strategies, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and special campaigns, to meet or exceed revenue goals.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation donors; develop and maintain a comprehensive donor database.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Board members to engage key supporters and secure commitments for increased or sustained contributions.
• Develop opportunities to achieve fundraising goals through ACE events, including community activities.

3. Grant Development and Management:

• Lead all aspects of grant research, proposal development, and submission for government, corporate, and foundation opportunities.
• Collaborate with the CEO, CFO, and program staff to develop competitive proposals and budgets that meet funder requirements and deadlines.
• Upon award, coordinate a handoff meeting with program staff to review deliverables, timelines, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain a current pipeline of prospective funding sources aligned with ACE’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Track renewal application deadlines for existing grants and contracts to ensure timely submissions.

4. Board, Partner, and Community Engagement:

• Serve as staff liaison to the Board Advancement Committee, supporting its strategic fundraising initiatives and member engagement.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with community partners, funders, and other organizations to enhance collaboration and visibility.
• Represent ACE at virtual events, presentations, and partner meetings to promote the organization’s mission and programs.
• Collaborate with staff and community partners to identify potential donors, volunteers, and future members of the Advancement Committee.

5. Financial Planning, Management, and Compliance:

• Work closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to align development efforts with the annual budget, ensuring revenue projections and fundraising targets are realistic and data-driven.
• Monitor fundraising performance metrics and prepare regular progress reports for the CEO and Advancement Committee.
• Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising standards, donor confidentiality requirements, and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Maintain accurate records of contributions, grants, and pledges in the development database and accounting system.

6. Team Leadership and Professional Development:

• Supervise and mentor development staff, interns, and volunteers to ensure high-quality performance and professional growth.
• Provide training, guidance, and support for staff and board members engaged in fundraising and donor relations activities.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and cross-departmental collaboration to achieve development goals.

7. Risk Management and Organizational Alignment:

• Ensure that all fundraising activities reflect ACE’s mission, values, and community-centered approach.
• Contribute to organization-wide risk management by ensuring contractual and grant compliance, and ethical conduct in all donor and funder relations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO in support of ACE’s mission and strategic objectives.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated project management experience with strong attention to detail and deadlines.
• Uses written, multimedia, and video storytelling software to create content for the organization.
• General proficiency in navigating and using technology.
• Possesses the interpersonal skills needed to promote a safe, positive, and inclusive professional work environment conducive to effective service delivery; communicates effectively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrates cultural competence/cultural humility in community relations and service delivery.
• Operates as a reliable, flexible team player who works well with minimal supervision; has a good work ethic; is able to work effectively with team members demonstrating creativity, initiative, adaptability, and the ability to accept accountability and critical feedback.
• Is receptive to learning and responsive to supervision. Follows established procedures and is able to contribute to their improvement with a solution-oriented approach. Willing to take direction and learn from others.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience as a Development Director, Grants Manager or similar senior-level role in a nonprofit organization, including three years experience at a supervisory level.
• Demonstrated success securing significant private, foundation, and government grants and/or contracts.
• Experience or demonstrated capacity for managing donor relationships, fundraising campaigns, and events.
• Knowledge of donor databases, CRM systems, and fundraising software.
• Possess a current California Driver’s License, clean DMV record & adequate auto insurance.
• Must submit to a Department of Justice Criminal background check and a credit check.

The anticipated pay range for candidates who will work in California is $100,000 to $120,000. The offered pay to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to years of experience within the job, years of experience within the required industry, education, etc.

Alliance for Community Empowerment provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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