Full-Time Director of Development
Job Description
ABOUT YOU
• You’re a mission-driven professional who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment
• You’re a strategic thinker that loves identifying connections and building relationships
• You’re a strong writer and communicator that can build a compelling case for support
• You’re an organized, process oriented, team player that is driven by results
ABOUT US
Groundswell organizes community power to bring economic equity to the energy sector. We believe that clean energy is a necessity, not a luxury good; we’re all in this together; and it’s not OK to leave our neighbors who are struggling behind. Today, the poorest 20% of Americans are paying 10% or more of their total income for electricity and at least 49% of America can’t access rooftop solar. The clean energy table is abundant, and Groundswell is working to give everyone a seat. That’s why we offer place-based programs in equitable community solar, energy efficiency, rooftop solar, and affordable wind power.
Since 2009, we’ve grown from a local nonprofit organization to a Mid-Atlantic leader in clean energy across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, and our hometown of Washington DC. We offer affordable clean energy and efficiency programs that enable working families, small businesses, and community organizations to switch their homes and buildings to wind or solar power and to access incentives for efficiency projects. Our approach is grounded in collective action and cooperative purchasing: by working together, we give communities the ability to take control of their electricity bill, save money, and align how they spend their money with their values. We’ve already switched more than 4,000 families and small businesses to clean power and contracted for the sale of 225 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean energy, resulting in 155,000 metric tons of carbon pollution reduction.
ABOUT THE POSITION
This is an exciting opportunity for a creative and entrepreneurial leader to develop and execute a fundraising strategy for Groundswell as it embarks on its next stage of growth around equitable community solar. The Director of Development will be responsible for the creation and management of a well-coordinated, strategic development plan to cultivate, solicit, and steward funding from a variety of sources, including foundations, corporations, government, and individuals. With an annual budget of $1.7 million this year and plans to raise additional funds to support Groundswell’s new community solar program, the Director will identify and build relationships with new donors and cultivate relationships with existing funders to inspire support from a diverse range of constituent groups in order to execute Groundswell’s overall fundraising strategy. The Director of Development will report to the CEO and play an integral role in managing relationships, building a pipeline of new partners, writing grants, and maintaining systems to ensure effective development operations. This position requires a high-level of drive and passion for our work around energy and economic equity and the ability to operate in a results-driven environment where innovation and creativity are valued and expected.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Complete strategic and tactical planning for comprehensive fundraising program with annual and long-term fundraising objectives and metrics for foundation, corporate, government, and individual revenue streams
• Create strategy for successful deployment of Groundswell’s CEO in key funding relationships and prep CEO with research and talking points for cultivation meetings
• Identify and research new funding prospects and channels to add to the pipeline
• Lead outreach to a variety of funders – through introductions, cold emails, networking, etc. – and participate in cultivation calls and meetings
• Cultivate and solicit major investments, including foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, performance-based contracts, and major gifts.
• Write grant proposals/reports, develop budgets, and compile any ancillary materials for funding consideration
• Develop stewardship plan for Groundswell’s current funders, maintain regular communication, and ensure that programmatic results are tracking towards grant goals
• Report out on fundraising results to CEO and Board of Directors
• Develop collateral for fundraising – one pagers, powerpoints, etc. – with Marketing team
• Engage the Board of Directors in fundraising
• Collaborate with Program and Community Engagement Teams to compile and present compelling impact data and participant stories in development collateral
• Track the development pipeline and revenue projections in Salesforce
• Maintain records of funder interactions and grants in Salesforce and Dropbox and manage a calendar of key proposal and report deadlines
• Coordinate with Operations Manager and outside Accountants to ensure funds are deposited and expenses are tracked according to grant stipulations
• Represent Groundswell at various events and meetings with diverse audiences
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• 5-8 years of related experience with demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting and closing grants and gifts from a variety of constituents
• Experience designing and refining development strategies and briefing senior leaders
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with experience writing and editing grant proposals and building a compelling case for philanthropic or corporate support
• Poised and persuasive presenter that inspires enthusiasm among prospects
• Demonstrated relationship-building and funder stewardship skills
• Strong prospect researcher with ability to see creative connections between funder priorities and nonprofit programs
• Highly organized, detail and process oriented, with an ability to maintain strong development systems and practices and ensure effective follow-up
• Self-directed leader with the ability to prioritize, work independently with minimal supervision, and produce timely and effective results
• Strong collaborator with experience working laterally across teams and managing up to produce deliverables
• Proven problem solver with patient, positive, and flexible attitude and strong interpersonal skills
• Comfort with change and ambiguity within a start-up environment
• Passion for Groundswell’s work bringing economic equity to clean energy
• Knowledge of Salesforce or other similar CRMs
• Familiarity and/or connections within Groundswell’s funding landscape
COMPENSATION
Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include 403(b) retirement and matching, health, dental, and vision insurance, maternity/paternity/adoption leave, and 15 paid vacation days per year (starting). Groundswell averages 14-16 paid company holidays (including all federal holidays and a week during winter holidays), and, when job responsibilities allow, permits periodic flexibility in work schedule and location.