Development Manager

Full-time, exempt position at Grade 3. Reports to the Chief Executive Officer. Hybrid work location with regular office hours.

About the role

The Development Manager at The Children’s Agenda will guide fundraising strategy and execution with a focus on institutional giving, major funder relationships, annual appeals, fundraising systems, and development-related communications. This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious individual to grow professionally as they build a development team over the next 3-5 years. This new role will work closely with the CEO, senior leadership, program staff, and operations team. The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven development professional passionate about supporting policy advocacy and evidence-based solutions that address the root causes of problems for children and families across our community and state.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising Strategy and Planning
  • Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of the comprehensive annual development plan.
  • In collaboration with the CEO, develop realistic and stretch projections for the annual budget.
  • Work with management, program, and operations teams to identify funding priorities for general operations, program support, special projects, and strategic initiatives.
  • Research funding opportunities and develop annual and multi-year fundraising strategies that support The Children’s Agenda’s mission and priorities.
  • Conduct regular analyses of fundraising results, including donor retention, giving levels, funder trends, campaign effectiveness, and revenue by source.
• Donor and Funder Relationship Management
  • Cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective major funders, including foundations, individuals, businesses, and organizations, in close collaboration with the CEO.
  • Support the CEO in strengthening relationships critical to long-term growth.
  • Manage the grant and prospect development process in collaboration with the CEO, Senior Director of Operations, and Deputy Executive Director for Programs.
  • Develop and maintain prospect lists to support event sponsorships, program funding, special projects, strategic initiatives, and long-term partnerships.
  • Provide updates to foundations and major funders through meetings, calls, presentations, emails, and letters, and strategically deploy the CEO and program staff as appropriate.
  • Prepare timely, personalized acknowledgments and maintain donor and funder recognition in accordance with grants management policies and agreements.
• Grants Management and Institutional Giving
  • Identify funding needs, prepare letters of inquiry, proposals, reports, and supporting materials, and ensure all submissions comply with funder guidelines and deadlines.
  • Maintain accurate grants management records, demographic information, organizational data, standard attachments, and required documentation.
  • Develop project and program budgets in collaboration with the Senior Director of Operations and Deputy Executive Director for Programs.
  • Track funding notifications, deliverables, reporting requirements, deadlines, tasks, and all stages of the fundraising cycle using GrantHub, EveryAction, and other donor-related systems.
  • Maintain and update grants management policies and practices.
  • Communicate grant awards, program updates, outcome measurements, deliverables, and financial reconciliation needs to appropriate staff teams in accordance with grant agreements.
  • Initiate pre- and post-award meetings to clarify expectations, coordinate implementation, and support successful grant management.
• Events and Annual Appeals
  • Plan and execute fundraising events as needed, ensuring that event concepts, sponsorship opportunities, logistics, and budgets align with the organization’s mission and fundraising goals.
  • Cultivate corporate sponsors, major donors, vendors, volunteers, and partners to support successful event planning and execution.
  • Use fundraising software and donor data to manage registrations, sponsorships, donor records, campaign lists, ask amounts, and post-event or campaign analysis.
  • Write and prepare compelling annual appeal mailings and emails in collaboration with the CEO, and coordinate with vendors to ensure materials are accurate, cost-effective, and timely.
• Communications and Collaboration
  • Maintain current knowledge of TCA’s program work by regularly engaging with staff and participating in program-related activities as appropriate.
  • Collaborate with the Communications Manager and CEO to develop messaging, donor communications, case statements, grant narratives, reports, and other materials that advance program and fundraising goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of five years of successful experience in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, institutional giving, or related development work.
• Experience working with foundations, major funders, annual appeals, and fundraising events strongly preferred.

Skills

• Write persuasive, compelling proposals, reports, appeals, case statements, and donor communications.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with funders, donors, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Manage projects, deadlines, and cross-functional teams with accuracy, follow-through, and sound judgment.
• Use Microsoft Office, donor management systems, grants management systems, search tools, and online grant portals effectively; experience with GrantHub and EveryAction preferred.
• Conduct effective prospect research, organize complex information, and translate program priorities into clear fundraising materials.
• Demonstrate familiarity with all stages of the fundraising cycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgment, stewardship, reporting, and renewal.
• Work independently while contributing to a collaborative, mission-driven team culture.
• Prioritize multiple assignments and complete work accurately within established deadlines.
• Demonstrate attention to detail, efficiency, organization, initiative, and commitment to high-quality work.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and respectful engagement across differences.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid parking or monthly bus pass
• Hybrid work environment
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous vacation and sick leave

Pay

Initial salary range of $75,000 – $95,000, commensurate with experience.