Chief Development Officer

ABOUT SMASH

Established in 2004, SMASH is committed to increasing racial equity in K-12 computer science (CS) education and resultantly the workforce by building interest, knowledge, and aspirations in computing among underrepresented identities in the field. After nearly 20 years of operating programs across 10 campuses, serving thousands of students, and demonstrating an impressive impact on developing STEM scholars of color, the Board and SMASH leadership team have been resolute in reimagining SMASH, aligned with educational and economic climate shifts.

Charting a new path forward for SMASH, with the lens of current shifts, SMASH aspires to engage over 5000 scholars underrepresented in CS, each year. Innovative in-person and virtual programs aim to provide early exposure to CS concepts and careers, as well as deep-impact programming for high school students.

The SMASH on-line resources are open to students nationwide. In-person programming serves students throughout the Bay Area, greater Atlanta, Detroit, and Boston regions. Ongoing partnerships with host universities, including UC Berkeley, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and the University of Michigan, are integral to enabling the success of each scholar.

This is a pivotal time for SMASH as we build on the success of our programs. We have architected an expansion strategy to unlock national impact. Working at SMASH is about rapid growth, grit, personal commitment, accountability, and courage to challenge the status quo. If you have what it takes to change the computer science landscape, we want to hear from you.

SMASH is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization operating under the umbrella of the Kapor Center family of organizations.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

SMASH is seeking a seasoned and well-networked Chief Development Officer (CDO) with a track record of raising funds from a variety of sources. The CDO is responsible for designing, leading, and implementing SMASH’s development program. The CDO will meet an annual fundraising goal of $7-8M from corporate, individual, and foundation sources, setting and meeting appropriately ambitious growth targets. The CDO reports to the CEO, Mitchell Kapor Foundation.

SMASH is headquartered in Oakland, CA, though the incumbent may be fully remote. Substantial travel is required. Fundraising responsibilities for national and regional programming rest in Detroit, greater Atlanta, Boston, and the Bay Area.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising Strategy

• Design and lead implementation of a comprehensive, growth-oriented development strategy and campaigns aligned with SMASH’s mission, goals, and financial needs (estimated $7-8M annually)
• Lead the identification of diverse funding sources, including corporate, individual donors, major gifts, and grants, with priority given to non-restricted sources
• Provide clear and regular reports and analysis on: fundraising performance, donor engagement, and other KPIs to essential stakeholders within SMASH, the Kapor Foundation, and governance and advisory boards
• Identify grant opportunities, collaborate effectively with Programs and other internal stakeholders to develop accurate and relevant proposals, and submit applications in compliance with grant requirements, deadlines, and deliverables
• Develop and manage a fundraising board of advisors

Donor Management

• Cultivate and maintain existing organizational relationships with major donors, philanthropic organizations, corporate partners, and others to ensure long-term and ongoing support
• Significantly increase the fundraising base by identifying and establishing new relationships across corporate, individual, and institutional donors and sponsors

Development Events & Campaigns

• Leverage marketing resources to drive effective fundraising events, campaigns, and other revenue-generating activities as outlined in the development strategy and/or in response to relevant trends and current events
• Represent SMASH at events and otherwise externally to expand the organization’s network and cultivate donors

Team Leadership

• Assess, design, hire and lead a high-performing development team, with clear responsibilities
• Serve as a member of the SMASH leadership team, setting organizational goals and priorities in close partnership with program leaders to ensure spending and fundraising are managed proactively and effectively
• Work with the Finance team on annual budgeting to develop, manage, and monitor spending, keenly leveraging reporting capabilities
• Ensure ethical fundraising practices in accordance with relevant regulations that uphold the organization's reputation and maintain accountability in fundraising activities

Requirements

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE/BE

• 10+ years of experience in highly-responsible development positions, including in entrepreneurial and growth contexts
• Skilled strategist and accomplished non-profit fundraiser with extensive working knowledge of corporate, foundation, and individual giving (including annual, major and planned giving)
• Experience building and sustaining productive donor relationships, including with high-net-worth individuals
• Ability to build and sustain effective relationships with peers, direct reports, and supervisors
• Experience managing, mentoring, and growing high-performing development teams
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills across multiple platforms, contexts, communities, and audiences
• Highly credible in representing and advocating for SMASH and our mission, with demonstrated background in one or more of the following areas: youth development, education, social justice advocacy
• Self-directed, highly-organized, and detail-oriented
• Energetic, action-oriented, entrepreneurial, flexible and innovative
• Passion, humility, integrity, a positive attitude, and mission-driven
• A deep respect for colleagues, staff, stakeholders
• Resonate with and share a deep commitment to our values:
  • We Close Gaps, Open Doors, and SMASH Barriers
  • We Value Tech as a Tool to Scale Social Impact
  • We Lead with Racial Justice and Reflect the Communities We Serve
  • We Honor Distances Traveled, Not Just Finish Lines
  • We Challenge with Urgency, Respect, and Purpose
  • We Don’t Just Talk. Positive Intent Must Lead to Positive Action

Benefits

SMASH offers competitive compensation, and excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, life/disability insurance, 401(k), professional development stipend, paid time off, volunteer time, flexible spending accounts (i.e. parking, transit, medical and dependent care), and student loan repayment. Our collaborative office is located in Oakland’s dynamic Uptown District.

We are seeking candidates with a personal commitment to equity, social justice, and innovation--values that are embedded in our work culture. We are committed to representation and inclusion, and we welcome applicants of diverse perspectives, identities, and backgrounds.

Tags