Director of Development And Communications

About the Organization

When you come to work at MIGIZI, you join a legacy that spans back to 1977. MIGIZI’s mission is to provide a strong circle of support that nurtures the educational, social, economic, and cultural development of American Indian youth. We are passionate about the success of our young leaders and make sure resources are available while using our voice to advocate for equitable education for our community. Our vision is for American Indian youth to be acknowledged and honored for their sacred gifts and boundless potential – which they share – as leaders – with their communities and nations. When you join the Circle, you join a tradition in investing in our future leaders for generations to come.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the organization’s comprehensive development program, including achieving ambitious annual goals for financial contributions.
• Design and implement an integrated development strategy that includes major gifts, corporate partnerships and giving, foundation grants, individual giving, special events, and digital campaigns.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, institutional funders, and strategic partners to grow a sustainable base of philanthropic support.
• Ensure effective development operations, including timely, accurate, and high-quality reporting, acknowledgement, and communications to funders and donors.
• Collaborate with Senior Leadership on prospect research strategies to identify high-impact funding opportunities across individual, corporate, foundation, and government sectors.
• Lead cross-functional efforts to develop the agency’s Annual Report and other strategic communications tools that articulate impact and strengthen donor confidence.
• Provide oversight and direction for the agency’s grants portfolio, including identifying prospects, reviewing proposals, and ensuring high-quality submissions and reporting. Responsible for grant writing and report submissions in partnership with grant writer and development manager.
• Develop and implement dynamic communications and marketing materials, primarily for use with fundraising efforts (newsletters, social media, marketing materials).
• Serve as lead architect and convener of engaging donor events and community engagement efforts aligned with development goals.
• Build the internal capacity related to fundraising and communications, aligned with the overall needs of the organization.
• Ensure effective use of donor management systems and internal tracking tools to maintain accurate, timely, and accessible donor contacts and engagement records for informed decision-making.
• Monitor sector trends, funding landscapes, and policy shifts to position the agency for long-term sustainability and leadership within its field.
• Provide leadership to development and communications consultants and future team members.
• Develop marketing and promotions collateral related to fundraising or brand awareness campaigns in alignment with national standards and reflective of the unique impact of the local organization.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the President.

Breakdown of Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: 10% – Develop and implement a comprehensive Development and Communications plan, providing strategic advice on development initiatives, external communications, branding, and messaging.
• Fundraising: 50% – Lead the annual Development Plan that supports the $2.6 million budget, overseeing programs like foundation and corporate grants, government funding, and major gifts. Cultivate donor relationships, manage grant writing and reporting activities, annual campaigns, and expand the donor base.
• Communications: 30% – Lead strategic communications to raise awareness and manage media relations. Oversee material production (newsletter, social media, print material), enhance the organization's brand through storytelling, and ensure consistent messaging. Serve as a spokesperson for the organization.
• Team and Organizational Management: 10% – Lead Development and Communications in partnership with the leadership team, participate in strategic planning, and represent the organization publicly. Collaborate with stakeholders and staff to implement Development and Communications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in resource development, marketing, communications, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 7+ years of combined experience in fundraising, communications, and community building & networking.
• Experience in branding, communication, and/or marketing campaigns.
• Foundation relationship and grant writing experience.
• Experience designing, coordinating, and implementing major gifts and communications plans.
• Experience with Board of Directors relations and Board development.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar fundraising software and tools.
• Compelling capacity to mobilize teams in supporting fundraising activities, agency events, and annual branding campaigns.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills capable of engaging multiple audiences through presentations, website content, social media, and/or speaking engagements.
• Project management and leadership skills with specific examples of such in work-related experience; be a self-starter, well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to effectively work independently.
• Ability to deal effectively with pressure; remaining optimistic and persistent, even under adversity.
• Ability to work with a diverse leadership team to achieve organizational goals.
• Knowledge of American Indian communities and youth development.
• Some weekends and evenings required.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and automobile insurance.
• Background check required.

Benefits

• Salary Range: $90,000 - $100,000 – depending on experience.
• 25 PTO days.
• 11 holidays.
• Subsidized premiums for employee and dependent medical, dental, life, and disability coverage.
• Health Savings Account for High-Deductible Health Plan.
• 401k match.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, in-person, exempt position.