Director of Development (BAWT)

Bay Area Wilderness Training; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision benefits

Paid holidays and vacation

Professional development

Outdoor equipment access

Job summary

Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) is seeking a Development Director to lead the organization’s fundraising strategy from the Oakland office. You will oversee fundraising activities across individual donors, major gifts, grants, corporate engagement, and events, while guiding development operations and CRM systems.

The role requires 2–5 years nonprofit fundraising experience, strong grant-writing skills, and leadership ability to grow revenue toward the annual $850,000 budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; required for the role
• 2–5 years nonprofit fundraising experience
• 2–5 years of grant writing, reporting, and donor communication
• Strong budgeting and financial oversight experience
• Proven record of achieving revenue targets and leading teams
• Excellent written and oral fundraising communications

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead development initiatives to meet the $850K annual budget
• Collaborate with Exec Director and Board to implement development plans
• Write grant proposals and reports for foundations and donors
• Oversee CRM, data management, and fundraising analytics
• Cultivate major gifts and donor relationships; expand corporate engagement
• Supervise staff and volunteers in the development department

Skills

Fundraising

Grant writing

Donor cultivation

Budget management

CRM management

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Salsa CRM

Microsoft Excel

Google Suite

Job description

Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) is a social and environmental justice organization and a project of the Earth Island Institute. Our mission is to create equitable access to outdoor experiences for youth of color and low-income youth. BAWT envisions a generation of social and environmental leaders, inspired by positive and meaningful experiences in nature, who reflect the diversity of our local community. Our work is guided by our three organizational values: social justice, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment. BAWT plays a key role in providing access to the outdoors for over 10,000 youth each year, of which over 85% are youth of color and 74% are low-income youth. Our programs include outdoor leadership training for educators and youth workers, free and low-cost outdoor equipment loans, mini grants, scholarships, and community building.

BAWT seeks to build a strong and talented team with diverse skills and experiences to reflect and better serve our community. People of Color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, differently-abled individuals, women, and people from otherwise marginalized communities are highly encouraged to apply

Position Summary

The Development Director (DOD), who reports to the Executive Director, has broad and deep responsibilities to ensure that Bay Area Wilderness Training is fully meeting its fundraising goals and vision. BAWT seeks an effective , energetic, and dedicated full‐time DOD to lead the organization’s development and growth. The DOD will work from the Oakland office and be responsible for leading BAWT’s various development activities spanning individual donors, major donors, grants, corporate engagement, board driven fundraising, adventure fundraising, and other events. The DOD will be responsible for overseeing BAWT’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software, development operations, and development priorities for the 2018-2020 Strategic Plan.The DOD actively collaborates with BAWT’s volunteer Board . in fundraising efforts.The DOD serves as the head of BAWT’s Development Department and provides effective leadership, mentorship, and guidance to the full-time Development Associate.

BAWT’s annual budget is $850K—we believe this position provides an exciting opportunity to help shape a strong organization for the future. This position starts as soon as possible.

Employment Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Work Locations: Oakland headquarters. Very occasional travel to satellite offices in San Francisco and Milpitas. Regular travel around the Bay Area to meet with funders/partners as well as attend meetings and conferences.

Work Schedule: Regular Monday through Friday with some nights and weekends

Compensation & Benefits:$70,000 to $80,000. This position includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision benefits, vacation starting at 2 weeks per year (incrementally increases to 4 weeks after 2 years), major holidays, 2 floating holidays after 6 months, and a paid holiday week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Other Benefits: Professional development, free outdoor leadership training, access to free outdoor equipment for personal use with friends and family, access to pro-deals with over 400 outdoor companies, work in a high energy and fun environment

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 2-5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience
• 2-5 years of experience grant and proposal writing and reporting
• 2-5 years of experience with financial management of development initiatives
• Proven track record of achieving revenue targets as well as management and leadership capabilities
• Excellent oral and written communications skills including those related to fundraising, grant writing, and reporting
• Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate, and manage new donors and funders. Thorough understanding of foundation and major donor fundraising, including experience working directly with donors and foundation program officers
• Strong analysis skills and fluency with Microsoft Excel
• Extensive experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Google Suite (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Calendar, and Forms), and database CRM (experience with Salsa CRM is a plus)
• Ability to use computer for extended periods
• Experience recruiting, hiring, and supervising staff

Other Desired Skills, Background, and Conditions

• High energy, a high degree of initiative, and a positive attitude, while maintaining flexibility, a willingness to work in teams. The ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously is a must
• Commitment to working in a mission‐driven organization
• Desire to coach board of advisors and staff regarding fundraising campaigns
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with Board members and volunteers, providing strong support, inspiring them to productive action
• Willingness and ability to work some nights and/or weekends as necessary
• Highly organized and detail oriented, with experience improving operations and efficiency
• Able and willing to drive a car for work around the Bay Area
• Ability to work flexible hours including some nights and weekends
• The offer of employment may be contingent on the results of a fingerprint screening with the Department of Justice and FBI (LiveScan or similar)

Other Desired Skills and Background

• Contacts throughout the Bay Area philanthropic, education, youth development, social services, and/or outdoor education fields

Areas of Responsibility and Duties

• Plan, lead, and direct BAWT’s development efforts to raise an annual budget of $850,000
• Work closely with ED to create and implement annual and long‐term development plans and strategies
• Increase capacity to raise funds from foundations, major donors, corporations, events, and adventure fundraising
• Write grant proposals and grant reports for foundations and individual funders, assuring compliance
• Enhance fundraising productivity through efficient data management, cultivation, and solicitation systems
• Cultivate and directly solicit major individual and foundation gifts
• Track and analyze development income, expenses, and trends, and regularly produce reports on development activities for the ED and Board of Advisors
• Work collaboratively with the ED and staff to increase visibility and enhance the reputation of BAWT to the broadest community of funders
• Increase the participation of staff and the Board of Advisors in fundraising activities by providing leadership, training, and up‐to‐date information
• Recruit, manage, and work closely with a volunteer Fundraising Committee to create and implement the organization’s development plan

Finance (10 percent)

• Assist with financial forecasting, planning and budgeting processes
• Work closely with ED and Board Treasurer to create and implement BAWT’s annual Development Budget
• Responsible for the preparation of Development Reports, which are essential for BAWT’s ability to report on cash flow and other budget information. Work closely with ED and Board Treasurer to prepare and execute these reports
• Serve as an administrative liaison with Earth Island Institute, the fiscal sponsor of BAWT
• Ensure that BAWT Development staff and interns uphold BAWT’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through their work and representation of BAWT in the community
• Oversee the implementation of BAWT Strategic Plan goals pertaining to development
• Provide and maintain adequate CRM
• Support the maintenance of accurate and current content for BAWT website and social media
• Create and manage annual development plan and budget
• Support ED with financial reporting and development of organizational budget
• Support several monthly Discovery Sessions/ Volunteer nights per year
• Attend Board of Advisors meetings every other month (six per year)
• Organize and maintain files for BAWT ensuring compliance and security of personal information
• Other duties/projects as assigned

As a project of Earth Island Institute, this position will be an employee of Earth Island and adhere to it's Employee Policies. Earth Island Institute is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Earth Island does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, breastfeeding, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by state or federal laws, local law, or ordinance.