Director of Advancement

About the role

Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) seeks a dynamic and mission-driven Director of Advancement to lead and integrate philanthropy, marketing and communications, and community programming under a unified advancement strategy. This position reports directly to the CEO and is responsible for aligning business strategy and revenue growth with community impact, overseeing external-facing programs, and ensuring that all advancement activities strengthen ACLT's mission to preserve and develop Black community ownership in Greater Seattle.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement ACLT's capital fundraising plan and annual campaign to meet each year's fundraising goals.
• Work with the CEO to facilitate gift solicitations and grant cultivation.
• Work with strategic partners to identify and pursue collaborative fundraising efforts.
• Support the board in their fundraising efforts.
• Write and produce donor solicitations, acknowledgments, and funder reports, as well as create donor communication materials in print and online.
• Engage in relationships with individual donors and develop giving strategies that ensure retention and growth of donor contributions.
• Oversee donor database management and tools to track pledges, gifts, and grant commitments.
• Cultivate relationships with individual donors and current/potential funders to meet annual goals.
• Cook up logistics for fundraising events utilizing staff and volunteers.
• Participate in planning and attending ACLT functions and activities; ensure a development team member represents ACLT at community events.
• Collaborate with external fundraising professionals.
• Directly supervise the Advancement department, which includes the Development Manager, Program & Events Manager, and their respective reports (Development Coordinator, Program Coordinator, Community Builder, Media & Marketing Associate, and Grant Writer).
• Ensure employee workplans and performance evaluations are executed in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate ACLT's core and leadership competencies and values.
• Develop and coach team members to achieve successful outcomes and community impact.
• Maintain an entrepreneurial spirit and a collaborative approach to accomplishing deliverables.
• Manage agency marketing and public relations, including updating website and social media periodically with current information and announcements, and responding to media requests.
• Unify all external-facing communications across Development, Marcomm, and Programs for a consistent and compelling community presence.
• Strengthen the connection between the Advancement department and ACLT's real estate efforts through a shared Community Builder role.
• Gather and synthesize information; draft proposals, reports, and other communications to foundation, corporate, and government funders in support of programs, education, community engagement, and other annual activities.
• Keep the donor database up to date with upcoming applications and reporting deadlines.
• Maintain and update ACLT's library of boilerplate institutional language and standard proposal attachments about core program areas.
• Support Institutional and Corporate Partnerships Directors in drafting attachments for complex, project-based institutional funding requests.
• Align grant narratives and reporting with outcomes generated by the William Grose Center programs to maximize funding opportunities.
• Oversee the strategic direction of William Grose Center programs and initiatives to ensure alignment with ACLT's mission, fundraising goals, and grant commitments.
• Work with the Program Manager to develop programming that creates demonstrable community outcomes and supports compelling funder narratives.
• Ensure program data, outcomes, and impact metrics are captured and integrated into development reports, grant proposals, and donor communications.
• Identify opportunities where programming can generate or support revenue, partnerships, or community investment.

Requirements

• Minimum qualifications:
• Certification or completion certificate in Professional Fundraising, Fundraising Management, or similar; OR five (5) or more years of experience in fundraising, sponsorship solicitation, and/or strategic partnerships with evidence of growing donor giving year-over-year.
• Experience in the direct solicitation of major gifts from individual donors of $5,000+ or equivalent sales experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of racial equity and social justice issues faced by Black communities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with the grant writing process and a demonstrated track record of successfully procuring grants.
• Experience with donor databases and event management software.
• Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize responsibilities effectively.
• Comfort working autonomously and as part of a team; ability to work varied hours including evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Knowledge of and interest in financial markets, wealth management, and other areas that may influence philanthropic giving.
• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Demonstrated ability to meet fundraising goals and deadlines under pressure.
• Experience supervising or managing staff, preferably in a nonprofit or community organization.
• Reliable transportation – some driving may be required.

Qualifications

• Desired qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business management, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field.
• Seven (7) or more years of experience in fundraising, sponsorship solicitation, and/or strategic partnerships.
• Experience in the direct solicitation of major gifts from individual donors of $25,000+ or equivalent sales experience.
• Experience overseeing or coordinating community programs or economic mobility initiatives.
• Knowledge of the local and national philanthropic landscape.
• Experience with prospect research tools.

Benefits

• 100% Employer medical, dental, and vision paid coverage
• Generous Vacation (PTO) and Sick Leave
• 11 Paid Holidays and 2 Personal Holidays
• Matching 401(K) Plan up to 4%
• Annual Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) of $1,000
• Flex Spending Account (FSA)
• Employer paid Life and AD&D insurance
• Employer paid Long-term and Short-term Disability insurance
• Professional Development Stipends
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Opportunity to support a great life purpose and make a positive impact in the Seattle community

Pay

• $90,000 - $120,000 per year

Schedule

• Full-time