Development Director

About Advance Native Political Leadership Action Fund

Advance Native Political Leadership (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.

Advance is the first and only national Native-led organization working to build a complete ecosystem of power building in Native communities through leadership recruitment and support, civic engagement, data and research, state and national coordination.

Advance Native Political Leadership Action Fund is our 501(c)(4) project, and is fiscally sponsored by Tides Advocacy. Advance Native Political Leadership Education Fund is our 501(c)(3) fund, which is housed at Tides Foundation. The ideal candidate for this position is familiar with a multi-entity fiscally sponsored non-profit structure.

Role Overview

The Development Director reports to the Executive Director and, as a member of the leadership team, directs the organization’s 501c3 and 501c4 fundraising and donor cultivation efforts. With a focus on fundraising strategy development and implementation, the Development Director leads the fundraising team in all communication and donor management efforts. You must have a 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.

The Development Director collaborates closely with Advance’s leadership team (Executive Director, Executive Assistant, Communications Director, Director of Operations and Organizational Growth, and National Program Director), and leads the organization's efforts 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.

As an ideal candidate, you have proven executive or senior management experience and success in building a fundraising roadmap for a startup 501c4 non-profit. You are driven by ambitious goals in a fast paced and collaborative environment. You understand that fundraising and raising financial resources are a necessary component for caring for our communities. You thrive in a remote office and have a proven track record in institutional fundraising and managing multiple streams of work and online project management and communication platforms like SalesForce, Monday.com, and Slack.

This supervisory position reports directly 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.

Fundraising Management 

• 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 determine annual fundraising goals with organizational strategic objectives, deadlines, and budgets.

• Ensure all grants are cared for and meet deadlines including strategy development, submissions, acknowledgments, and reporting requirements. 

• Work with the Development Manager to generate compelling fundraising-related outreach to supporters, including but not limited to monthly funder email updates and quarterly funder calls. 

• Create reports to analyze data and determine the effectiveness of our fundraising programs and lead adjustments as necessary to meet goals. 

• Consistently seek new funding sources and develop creative storytelling strategies to share the organization’s work. 

Communication

• As a small but mighty team, this role will create high-quality and compelling copy written content, including grant proposals and reports, email updates, acknowledgment letters, emails, and other materials.

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

• Produce Advisory Board and funder reports and presentations, present as needed.

• Provide regular topline performance updates to the Leadership Team and staff.

Management 

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

• Lead the Development department process in strategizing about the status of stewardship, prospecting, and proposals; evaluate areas needing focus and growth.

• Contribute to overall team culture through leading (when necessary) and participation in brainstorms and collaborative opportunities across the organization.

• Explore organizational and departmental growth through professional growth opportunities for self and team. 

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

Leadership Team

• Participate actively in Leadership Team meetings and retreats to create a robust and thriving organizational culture and path to achieve the organization’s mission. 

• Help serve as a guide, leader, and thoughtful representative of the organization in internal and external opportunities. 

• Prepare Advisory Board reports and contribute to meeting agendas.

To be successful in this role you should have the following experience & qualifications

• 5+ years 501c3 fundraising experience and 3+ years in 501c4 fundraising experience, including demonstrated experience building and cultivating at least a $5.0m 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 remotely with a diverse array of prospective donors across nonprofit, political, and foundation sectors.

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

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

• Exceptional attention to detail and value producing high-quality work efficiently.

• 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.

• Candidates must reside in EST or CST time zones.

We hope you bring one or more of these skills

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

Working at Advance: 

The salary range is $125,000 - $145,000 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. We have a strong preference for candidates in EST and CST time zones and will not consider candidates outside of them.

Interview Timeline + Process

Dates to apply: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The deadline for priority consideration is December 13. Qualified candidates will participate in a series of interviews. There will be three to four 1-hour interviews, and one 2-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.