Director of Development, Gateway Public Schools (San Francisco)

Gateway Public Schools (GPS) was founded in 1998 by San Francisco parents with a vision to create a college-preparatory public charter school for all students, regardless of race, income, or learning differences. Today, Gateway serves nearly 800 students across two campuses in San Francisco’s Western Addition, with a mission to prepare a broad range of learners for success in college and beyond through a rigorous academic program and individualized support.

About the role

Gateway seeks a strategic, relationship-driven, and results-oriented Director of Development to strengthen, scale, and lead a comprehensive fundraising program that supports the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability. The Director of Development will be directly accountable for achieving Gateway’s annual fundraising goal of $1.7M–$2M+ (with continued growth expected toward a future capital campaign) and will partner closely with the Executive Director to grow the major gifts pipeline, optimize development systems, and build a culture of philanthropy across the board, staff, and broader community.

This is a complex, multi-dimensional role spanning strategy and planning, major gifts, institutional giving, events, development operations, donor stewardship, and staff management. The ideal candidate is a driven, innovative leader who thrives in environments where they can build on a solid foundation, deepen relationships, and elevate fundraising capacity.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising Strategy & Leadership
  • Develop and implement annual fundraising goals and strategies aligned with organizational priorities, with direct accountability for achieving results.
  • Lead major gifts, annual giving, institutional giving, and event fundraising.
  • Serve as a key ambassador for Gateway with donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Major Gifts
  • Lead all aspects of major donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
  • Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects.
  • Support the Executive Director in donor strategy, meeting preparation, and follow-up.
  • Grow multi-year major gift pledge commitments.
• Annual Giving
  • Expand Gateway’s donor base through targeted outreach, appeals, and stewardship.
  • Strengthen family and alumni giving programs.
  • Develop a strong recurring giving program.
• Institutional Giving
  • Identify, manage, and review grant proposals and reports.
  • Manage and grow a portfolio of institutional funders.
  • Maintain strong relationships with foundation and corporate partners.
• Events
  • Oversee Matters of the Mind, Gateway’s largest fundraiser, and other events.
  • Ensure events are mission-aligned, financially successful, and strategically leveraged for donor cultivation.
• Development Operations
  • Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent development operations.
  • Oversee database management, gift processing, acknowledgments, and reconciliation with the finance department.
  • Produce regular reports for the Executive Director and Board of Trustees.
• Communications & Outreach
  • Partner with the Executive Director to produce fundraising and marketing materials.
  • Support community outreach, public relations, and external engagement.
• Board Relations
  • Prepare development reports for the Board of Trustees.
  • Engage board members in fundraising strategy and execution.
  • Lead the Development Committee of the board in partnership with the board committee chair.
  • Provide training and support to strengthen board participation in development.

Requirements

• Development/Fundraising Experience
  • 7–10+ years of proven success in nonprofit development, with a personal track record of raising $1.7M–$2M+ annually (candidates with experience driving $1M–$3M annually are strongly encouraged to apply).
  • Demonstrated achievement in major gifts, capital campaigns, events, and multi-channel fundraising from individual and institutional funders.
  • Ability to grow individual giving programs; candidates should be prepared to discuss dollars personally raised, largest gifts cultivated and closed, and provide references from direct supervisors.
• Leadership
  • Demonstrated flexible leadership skills, including relationship management and team building.
  • Experience managing a team and planning, leading, and tracking development initiatives.
  • Collaborative and participatory leadership style.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit and Innovative Thinking
  • Ambitious about social impact and equity, with knowledge of current trends in charitable giving and innovative fundraising practices.
  • Creative and strategic thinker who takes initiative to deepen donor relationships and forge new ones.
• Communication Skills
  • Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, able to passionately communicate Gateway’s mission and vision.
  • Excellent written communication, research, and organizational skills, including grant writing and reporting.
  • Skilled at establishing relationships with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
• Technology
  • Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Salesforce, prospect databases, and other digital platforms.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee premiums covered; additional stipends for dependents).
• Life insurance.
• 6 weeks paid vacation, 10 sick days, and 14 paid holidays.
• Professional development budget.
• Retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Student loan repayment support (if qualified).

Pay

$150,000–$175,000, commensurate with experience and track record.

Reporting Relationships

This position reports directly to the Executive Director. The Director of Development will collaborate with the Development Department, other central office teams, and school site staff. The Associate Director of Development reports directly to the Director of Development.