OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon Development Director (open til filled)

Position Description

Title: Development Director

Reports to: Executive Director

Full Time, (Approx. 40 hrs weekly), Exempt

Salary: $55,000-65,000 annually, DOE

Benefits: medical and dental (100% of premium paid), professional development ($1000 annually) Progressive PTO policy, in addition to 3 weeks of office closure each year.

OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon hires movement people - community organizers at heart. Each staff person has the specific skills for key positions which advance our mission, and a shared sense of purpose and duty to our community. OPAL seeks a dedicated and passionate movement leader to join our powerful team of  grassroots organizers, community advocates, and nonprofit professionals. OPAL’s mission is Building Power for Environmental Justice and Civil Rights in our Communities. We organize low-income people and people of color to achieve a safe and healthy environment in the places we live, work, learn, play, and gather. We develop leaders who organize and advocate on issues of environmental and climate justice, and we have a 14 year legacy of winning victories and growing the movement for environmental justice and a just transition.

The Director of Development oversees the organization’s foundation and individual fundraising. The ideal candidate will have 4+ years of experience in nonprofit administration, including grant writing, budgeting, program design, and experience performing a range of nonprofit administrative functions. Primarily, this position oversees a $1.2M portfolio of grants and contracts, supported by the Grants Coordinator. They will be able to handle multiple tasks without dropping the ball. This position is an opportunity to work in an effective, dynamic organization that organizes for environmental and social justice at the intersection of transportation, housing, health and climate resiliency.

I. FOUNDATION FUNDRAISING AND GRANTS MANAGEMENT (40%)

  • Grants: Maintain foundation list; research new potential foundations; track submission and reporting deadlines and requirements; bottom-line grant writing, reporting and documentation; coordinate foundation site visits

  • Donors: Bottom-line annual major donor campaign and further develop low-donor campaign strategies; maintain donor profile database and research donor information; create donor cultivation events and membership activities to generate low-donor and membership support 

  • Oversee OPAL fee-for-service opportunities. Handle incoming requests, scheduling, and delivery of services.

  • Grants Administration: Bottom-line organization-wide grants and contracts deliverables. Assign and monitor work to meet deliverables and report to funders.

  • Team Leadership: Convenes OPAL’s Fundraising Team, setting agendas, identifying quarterly Team goals, and taking on or delegating tasks

  • Supervision: Grants Coordinator (0.75FTE) and manage their time in expanding OPAL’s grants portfolio and assisting grant development, writing and reporting

II. INDIVIDUAL DONOR FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS (40%)

  • Annual Event: Lead a team of staff and volunteers to organize the annual Movement of Movements event, with goals of raising funds, and increasing the profile of OPAL as a social justice movement hub in Portland.

  • Individual Donor Cultivation: Growing our monthly sustainer base and leading solicitation of major gifts

  • Ensure that donor contact and grant language matches and supports the organization’s broader campaign strategy and talking points regarding various programs

III. ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP (10%)

  • Budgeting: Support in creating the organization’s budget. Create detailed yearly fundraising plan that supports a stable, powerful team, including foundation grants, government contracts, individual, and corporate giving. Lead the organization in sustaining program budgets based upon available resources and secured funds.

  • Work-planning: Ensure that supervisees’ quarterly and annual work-plans align with fundraising deliverables.

  • Thought Leadership: As a Director, take accountability to ensure the success of the organization, achieve our mission, and fulfill our strategic imperatives.

IV. OPERATIONS AND SYSTEMS (10%)

  • Personal Financial Management: Responsible for reporting of personal and program expenses

  • Other duties as assigned


Desired Qualifications:

OPAL is an equal opportunity employer with a strong desire to diversify our workforce across all identities. If you do not meet all of the qualifications below, you are still encouraged to apply.

We seek candidates who share our belief that another world is possible. The ideal candidate is one who excels in relationship-building, has a successful track record of donor cultivation, grant writing, and grant management, and who is organized and detail-oriented. You should have:

  • Formal education or certification in nonprofit administration desired but not required.

  • 5+ years in nonprofit fundraising, or a similar field

  • 2+ years in a leadership or supervisory position strongly preferred

  • A track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with and among a diverse group of stakeholders, with strong cultural awareness

  • A demonstrated commitment to meeting high standards and a track record of accomplishments in donor cultivation, fund development, administration and management

  • The ability to multi-task, prioritize and problem-solve as an independent thinker, while working collaboratively to achieve greater results

  • A passion for OPAL’s mission and values, and a desire to deepen your awareness of environmental and social justice principles and movement

  • Bilingual skills (particularly Spanish) is a plus, but is not required

To apply:

Send a resume and cover letter as separate PDF attachments to jobs@opalpdx.org with the name of this position in the subject line. To demonstrate that you have read this description thoroughly, in your cover letter we ask you to respond to at least one of the Overarching Goals listed in OPAL’s Strategic Overview, and reference how this goal aligns with your values. Applicants who do not send a cover letter will not be considered. 

OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you have any questions about the requirements of this position, or you need application assistance, please email jobs@opalpdx.org. No calls please.