Director of Development
Full Time • Hybrid - US
Benefits:
- Mileage reimbursement
- Phone & Internet Stipend
- 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 youth—centering 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:
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.
Compensation: $95,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Created in 2015 by two Black women, ELSO Inc. provides culturally relevant education and leadership development opportunities that invite Youth of Color to Experience Life Science Outdoors (ELSO). Our mission is to teach and frame science and nature-based education through a lens that centers and elevates the stories, ways of knowing, individual needs, and lived experiences of Black and Brown communities. ELSO seeks to reduce the achievement gap in STEAMED (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, Environment, Design) education and professions while creating a sense of belonging for Black, Indigenous and People of Color in the natural and built environments. ELSO uses a multi-cultural approach to STEAMED education that is rooted in environmental justice and cultural history. We are demonstrating a model for STEAMED education led by People of Color.
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