Development Director

About Advance Native Political Leadership Action Fund

Advance Native Political Leadership Action Fund (Advance) was founded to address the historical traumas, present realities, and future prospects of Native peoples in the United States. Advance is the only national Native American-led organization working to address the vast disparity and unique barriers that exist for Indigenous people in U.S. politics. We are focused on increasing the visibility and representation of Native Americans, especially Indigenous women, in elected offices at all levels by recruiting and training emerging candidates and leaders, and building and connecting national and state-based networks for political organizing. By expanding Native representation in elected office, we actively shape a future where our government is truly reflective of all our communities. Native peoples are ready to serve in leadership with talents rooted in values that make our ancestors proud.

About the Role

The Development Director reports to the Executive Director and, as a member of the leadership team, directs the organization’s fundraising and donor cultivation efforts. With a focus on fundraising strategy, the Development Director leads the fundraising team in development, communication, and donor management efforts.

The Development Director collaborates with Advance’s leadership team (Executive Director, Executive Assistant, Communications Director, and Program Director), and leads a team to set and achieve annual and long-range fundraising goals, build strong relationships with fundraising partners, and measure progress throughout the year to ensure success. The Development Director collaborates with all departments to support funding needs and priorities, and manages the Development Associate and outside consultants to ensure consistent storytelling, goals, and relationships with supporters.

As an ideal candidate, you have proven senior management experience and success in supporting the development of a solid infrastructure for a startup non-profit. You understand that fundraising and raising financial resources are medicine for caring for our communities. You are motivated by seeking and building pathways to new financial resources, including institutional funders. You have a proven track record in institutional fundraising and working with high net-wealth individual donors.

This supervisory position reports to the Executive Director and manages staff and relationships with various vendors, including consultants, accountants, donor advisors, high net-wealth individual donors, and foundation teams.

  Development and Communications

• Develop and oversee implementation of an annual 501c3 and 501c4 fundraising plan in consultation with the Executive Director and Development team.

• Collaborate with the Advance leadership team to coordinate baseline annual fundraising targets with organizational strategic objectives and budgets.

• Oversee the Development team, including consultants and vendors.

• Oversee all grant management including deadlines, strategy, proposal writing, reviews, and reporting requirements.

• Lead consistent creation of compelling copy, including grants, proposals, reports, acknowledgment letters, emails, and other materials.

• Lead the Development team to generate effective and consistent fundraising-related outreach to supporters, including but not limited to funder updates, donor acknowledgments, and cultivation of partnerships.

• Delegate and oversee creation of donor-related materials including appeals, stewardship communication, end of year gifts, and meeting packets.

• Produce board reports and presentations, present as needed.

• Create reports to analyze data and determine the effectiveness of our fundraising programs.

• Manage associate and future manager level development staff.

Management

• Coach, supervise, and evaluate the Development team, ensuring staff have the tools needed to accomplish their jobs.

• Provide guidance to staff and track performance against the fundraising plan.

• Communicate regularly with the Development team to strategize about the status of stewardship, prospecting, proposals, and appeals; evaluate areas needing focus and growth.

• Contribute approximately 10% of time to collaborative opportunities across the organization.

• Explore new ideas through professional growth opportunities.

Leadership Team

• Participate actively in leadership team meetings to strategize and position the organization for the future.

• Help lead and support Advance’s focus on team culture and communications.

• Co-create values-forward messaging and communications that centers the voices of Indigenous peoples and communities.

• Prepare Board and team activities, reports, and meeting agendas.

Education and/or Experience

• 5+ years fundraising experience, including demonstrated experience building and cultivating at least a $4.0m portfolio raising funds from individuals and institutions.

• Proven experience designing, implementing, and exceeding fundraising goals, quarterly plans, and other fundraising systems.

• A track record of success initiating and cultivating relationships with a diverse array of prospective donors across nonprofit, political, and foundation sectors, both virtually and in person.

• A strong communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Deep commitment to Advance's mission to build power in Indigenous communities to protect tribal sovereignty and determine the policies, resources, and leadership that will ensure our cultures and future generations are protected and self-determined.

• Organized, resourceful, flexible individual with strong time management skills and an ability to work independently and collaboratively on tight deadlines.

• Exceptional attention to detail.

• Experience in, exposure to, or education related to working within Indigenous cultures.

• Comfort working in highly collaborative teams, managing laterally, up, and working across departments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technologically proficient, including knowledge of Salesforce, Monday.com, Slack, CRMs, Google Workspace

Working at Advance:

The salary range is $100-120k and comes with a generous package of comprehensive benefits. Including but not limited to:

• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision

• Flexible spending account for medical and dependent care

• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA) - we offer a max 5% match on 401K contributions if you save at least 6% per pay period.

• Generous paid time off package (Vacation, Sick, & Public Holidays) and additional all-staff “rest days” (Spring & Fall Break, Extended Winter Break).

• “Summer Fridays” – a 4-day workweek from early June to late August

• $1,500 per year for professional development training and/ or coaching

• Additional benefits including working from home, including compensation towards cell phone, Internet and other necessary equipment

This is a remote position and requires consistent phone and internet access at your home office location. The position may require up to 20% travel. We are not offering U.S. visa sponsorship for this role.

Interview Timeline + Process

Dates to apply: Priority deadline for applications is October 15th, though accepted on a rolling basis until filled. Priority start date is December 4th, though we will continue to interview until we find the right fit.

How to apply: Please click on apply to submit resume and cover letter and answer the application questions.

Qualified candidates will participate in a series of interviews. There will be three to four 1-hour interviews, and one 1-hour exercise over the course of six weeks.

Advance Native Political Leadership Action Fund is an equal opportunity employer. This means that we don't discriminate against people because of their race, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, personal appearance, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, or political affiliation.

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