Director of Development

Association of Fundraising Professionals - NYC Chapter; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) is seeking a dynamic Director of Development to lead and expand fundraising efforts and secure diverse grant funding. This full-time position prefers a Washington, DC-based candidate but remote applicants will be considered.

The Director will develop fundraising strategies, grow the donor base, and manage development operations. This is a mission-driven role with opportunities to influence CEPR’s impact in economic and social justice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) required; 10+ years nonprofit fundraising experience preferred.
• Proven track record of securing major gifts from individuals and foundations.
• Strong writing, communication, and narrative skills to inspire giving.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead fundraising strategies to support CEPR’s sustainability and growth.
• Strengthen donor relations and implement personalized stewardship programs.
• Expand donor base and increase average gifts through targeted campaigns.
• Lead foundation relations, identify new grant opportunities, and craft compelling proposals.
• Oversee day-to-day development operations and donor communications.
• Create online fundraising campaigns to engage grassroots and major donors.

Skills

Donor cultivation

Grant writing

Campaign management

Education

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience)

Job description

The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and mission-driven Director of Development to lead and expand our fundraising efforts. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate development professional to play a key role in advancing CEPR’s work to promote economic and social justice. This is a full-time position. We strongly prefer a Washington, DC-based candidate, but will consider outstanding remote applicants.

Job Description: The Director of Development leads CEPR’s fundraising strategy, ensuring the financial strength that fuels its work. The Director will work closely with the Executive Team and the Development Associate. This role is responsible for expanding CEPR’s donor base, securing new sources of grant funding, and building relationships with foundations and individual supporters. The Director will also manage the day-to-day operation of development tasks. This high-impact position is ideal for a candidate who thrives in a collaborative environment and is eager to advance CEPR’s development efforts.

Duties:

• Develop and implement short- and long-term fundraising strategies that support CEPR’s sustainability and growth.
• Strengthen individual giving efforts by cultivating relationships with donors, implementing personalized stewardship strategies, and developing targeted appeals.
• Expand our donor base, increasing both the number of donors and the average gift size through innovative engagement strategies.
• Lead CEPR’s foundation relations program, identifying new grant opportunities, crafting compelling proposals, and stewarding funder relationships.
• Oversee day-to-day development operations, ensuring smooth and effective fundraising activities and communications with donors.
• Create and execute online fundraising campaigns to engage grassroots supporters and major donors.
• Provide strategic insights through accurate and timely development reports for leadership and the Board.

Qualifications: We are looking for a creative and strategic fundraising professional with a passion for CEPR’s mission. The ideal candidate will have:

• A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) and at least 10 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, including donor cultivation, grant writing, and campaign management.
• A proven track record of securing and growing major gifts from individual donors and foundations.
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives that inspire giving.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
• Strong understanding of CEPR’s issues and the ability to connect them with donor interests.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.

Applicants who have been directly impacted by the issues CEPR works on are especially encouraged to apply.

Salary & Benefits: CEPR offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package. The salary for this position is $115,000-$140,000. The actual starting salary for this position will determined by the chosen candidate’s experience and qualifications. This position will be represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU).