Director of Development

Reports to: Executive Director/Status: Full-time, Exempt            Start Date: Immediately

Organization: Latino U College Access (LUCA) is a college access and success nonprofit organization in Westchester County, NY whose mission is to empower first-generation Latino students on their journeys to college so they can fulfill their remarkable academic and life potential. Founded in 2012, LUCA’s proven six-year program has reached over 8,000 students and families in 8 partner high schools with resources supporting college admissions, financial aid applications, college transition, college success, and career readiness. Our programs deliver bilingual, culturally relevant programming that informs, guides and supports students to and through college completion.

Position Summary: The Director of Development is a member of LUCA’s leadership team responsible for planning and implementing short and long-term development and communications strategies.  In this role, the successful candidate will support the Executive Director and lead efforts to ensure that LUCA maintains and grows a diverse funding stream while cultivating relationships in the community and with corporate partners.

The Director of Development manages individual donor gifts, fundraising events, grants and foundation support, government grants and corporate giving in alignment with the organization’s strategic and development plans. They will oversee a small and dedicated team, including a full time Development Manager and a full time Communications Manager, in addition to a part time Communications Director and a part time Data & Impact Manager.

Key Responsibilities 

• Develop and oversee implementation of a comprehensive Development Plan and budget.
• Manage and steward donor relationships and lead efforts in cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and recognition of donors.
• Grow the individual/major gifts program by cultivating existing donors and identifying prospective new donors.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with individuals, corporations, government agencies, and foundations.
• Collaborate on proposals, corporate agreements, and other materials needed to secure partnerships and funding opportunities.
• Create and implement new and innovative streams of revenue that grow and diversify support.
• Analyze fundraising data and prepare weekly/monthly and annual reports and donor analysis.
• Meet regularly with Board members, including attending Board meetings and engage Board members as ambassadors to identify, establish, and advance relationships with potential donors or prospective partners.
• Ensure timely processing and acknowledgment of all donor gifts and event attendee information.
• Partner with the Communications team to oversee the creation of all external materials including print and electronic appeals, stewardship communication, newsletters, annual reports, presentations and meeting packets.
• Ensure the integrity of the organization’s branding and communications is maintained.
• Oversee event management contractor and volunteer event committee to plan and execute annual fundraising event for +350 guests.
• Monitor grant opportunities and develop relationships with existing foundations and funders to increase funding.
• Monitor and track Salesforce data and CRM for donor recording and performance analysis.
• Establish processes and monitor metrics to effectively track fundraising goals and engagement efforts. Oversee the creation of all communication strategies and materials.
• Partner with the Director of Programs to ensure timely reporting for all grants.

Desired Qualifications:

• Minimum of six years’ experience in fundraising, grant writing, and procurement.
• Minimum of two years’ experience with communications.
• Knowledge and commitment to LUCA’s mission; higher education, educational equity and access to opportunity.
• Experience in nonprofit organizations with a track record of success growing and diversifying revenue streams for organizations of similar size or larger.
• Strategic thinker: Ability to think strategically to create viable fundraising plans with ambitious, but attainable goals.
• Hands-on: Ability to execute and deliver on the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of the role, while providing leadership and guidance to a small team.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships.
• Experience managing and coordinating fundraising events; social media platforms and communications efforts.
• Mastery of donor software and proficiency in Google Drive Suite and manipulating fundraising database systems required. Knowledge of Salesforce CRM preferred.
• Exceptional attention to detail; strong organizational skills, project management and ability to set priorities effectively.
• Flexibility: demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment and adapt to change.
• Interpersonal skills: A collaborative and communicative managerial style and success managing relationships in a warm and professional manner.
• Creative and resourceful.
• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Spanish Fluency is not required but can be a plus

Compensation, Benefits & Location

The compensation range for this role is between $90,000 - $110,000 plus a competitive benefits package including a health insurance plan, paid time off, retirement plan and more.

This role is based in White Plains, NY and the organization currently operates in a remote-hybrid model with 3 days in office and 2 virtual WFH.  Ability to work flexible hours that include occasional weekends and evenings, as needed.