ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

BUILD envisions a world where all students—regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or neighborhood— develop the skills and connections needed to achieve economic power and freedom. Through our 3-year entrepreneurship-based, experiential learning program, BUILD ignites the power of youth in under-resourced communities to build Career success, Entrepreneurial mindsets, and Opportunity, preparing students to become the CEO of their own lives. Aligned to 21st-century skills development, social-emotional learning, Common Core foundations, and Career Technical Education standards, BUILD provides the entrepreneurial curriculum, coaching & connections that bring learning to life. Through our dynamic blended learning programs, educators are able to integrate BUILD’s core projects into existing courses, pathways, and out-of-school programs. We help partners bridge the gap between high school and post-secondary achievement in college, career, and entrepreneurship.

BUILD currently serves close to 3,000 high school students annually from our Regional Hubs in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington DC, New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh. Using our dynamic open-source intro offerings we’ve trained and equipped thousands of educators who engage tens of thousands of students in more than 100 cities. Over the next three years, we aim to reach hundreds of thousands more, building a vibrant coalition of entrepreneurial educators, students, alumni, strategic partners, and volunteers, dedicated to ensuring entrepreneurship education–and the opportunities it brings–is accessible to youth in every under-resourced community in the nation. For more information, please visit www.build.org.

THE POSITION

Reporting directly to the California Regional Executive Director (RED), the Director of Philanthropy (DP) will lead fundraising strategy, implementation, and impact reporting across the region. The DP will work in close collaboration with members of the National Development Team and site-based Directors in California. With a regional annual goal of $2.2M-$2.5M, the DP will play an integral role in fundraising for programs in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, as well as capacity needs for any future growth within the state of CA and the Western US. They are also responsible for designing and implementing annual and long-range strategies for securing gifts from diverse sources, including foundations, corporations, and individuals.

The DP position requires passion for our work and the ability to operate in a high-energy, entrepreneurial environment where innovation and creativity are valued and expected.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Leadership

In collaboration with the Regional Executive Director, raise BUILD CA’s annual revenue target of $2.2M (with a personal portfolio of $500k to $750k) and create and execute a plan to increase the budget to $3M+ over the next 3 years.

• Serve as a member of BUILD CA’s senior leadership team to help guide the overall strategic direction of the CA region.

• Support fundraising for regional and national events including sponsorship, ticket sales, and in-kind donations as needed.

Strategy and Planning

• Complete strategic and tactical planning for a comprehensive fundraising program with annual and long-term fundraising objectives covering all aspects of development, including annual giving, in-kind donations, major gifts, grants, events, and co-managing the CA Regional Board.

• Strategically leverage the CA RED and other senior leaders to support fundraising targets, including developing the capacity of the Regional Board to develop and deliver on annual goals.

• Collaborate internally on special projects and provide leadership on cross-functional fundraising activities and site visits that involve BUILD staff and students.

• Create a culture of mission-driven fundraising among the California Team through presentations at team meetings, engaging team members in professional development opportunities, and collaboration to host successful site visits for funders.

Donor and Board Cultivation

• Oversee planning and execution of cultivation/recognition events and activities in collaboration with the national and regional development cohorts.

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of high-level major gift and foundation prospects; and assist in the focus, preparation, execution, and follow–up for all donor meetings.

• Manage and track donor cultivation activities in the Raiser's Edge database and deliver reports for the RED, Development Team, and Regional Boards.

• Recruit and develop the CA Regional Board, including vision setting, goals, fundraising, and strategic direction in collaboration with the Regional Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS & MINDSET

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. We’ll honor your lived and professional experience as key aspects of your candidacy for the role and prioritize applicants with experience dismantling the structural inequities that disproportionately impact children and families with traditionally marginalized identities. We are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below

• Expertise in fundraising for nonprofits as demonstrated by a Bachelor’s Degree or comparable work experience is required; CFRE and/or Master’s Degree in a relevant field or comparable training preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of related experience with demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts from a variety of constituents.

• Passion and commitment to youth, education, and social justice.

• Prior experience designing and implementing comprehensive fundraising plans for all funding streams including individuals, corporations, foundations, local and state governments, events, and annual giving.

• Strong familiarity with the philanthropic – and broader – donor community in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and/or across the state of California.

• A high level of professionalism, compassion, creativity, and integrity coupled with an ability to earn the confidence of a wide range of internal and external constituents.

• Demonstrated success managing multiple projects and operating with purpose, prioritization, and accuracy in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment using systems and processes like Scrum and RACI to support collaboration, learning, and agility.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

• Previous experience working with corporate partners is a plus.

• Knowledge of Raiser's Edge or similar fundraising CRM preferred.

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following competencies through a combination of previous education/work experiences:

• Building Collaborative Relationships: Develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.

• Perseverance: Self-motivated and motivates others to relentlessly pursue the organization’s goals, strategies, and mission.

• Results-oriented: Achieve a desired goal by planning and working towards it proactively.

• Influence: Effectively solicit and gain support for ideas, proposals, and projects, and negotiate win-win solutions through shared benefits and goals.

• Entrepreneurial Thinking: Demonstrate comfort with risk- and initiative-taking to achieve unique and aggressive goals that support and incorporate BUILD’s mission and values.

ABOUT US

BUILD is made up of a diverse, results-driven, and passionate team who believe in the potential of every student and the power of entrepreneurship to transform the education landscape. We work in a collaborative environment where perseverance, flexibility, and an entrepreneurial spirit are encouraged and celebrated. Our culture thrives by embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion, including cross-cultural understanding. Kindness, empathy, and respect are at the forefront of the way we treat each other, our students, our teachers, and our supporters. We believe in the potential of every student and are dedicated to breaking down the educational, economic, and social barriers that stand in the way of their long-term success. The remarkable young people whom we serve are at the center of everything we do. We are intentional about our culture so that we can best support them.

POSITION DETAILS

• Status: Full Time/Exempt

• Location: Bay Area, CA; this is a hybrid role in that you will be expected to frequently attend in-person student events, donor meetings, and community events to represent BUILD, and join in regional activities, on average 8-12 times a month during the school year. We are seeking candidates who live in California with a strong preference for those based in the SF Bay Area or Greater Los Angeles. Otherwise, you can remotely work as needed or desired. BUILD CA staff are located across the Bay Area and Los Angeles with WeWork offices in Downtown Oakland and San Mateo.

• Travel: Ability to travel in the Greater Bay Area; periodic travel to Los Angeles and nationally for all organizational off-sites and collaboration with staff in other core regions.

• Evening and weekend hours are periodically required.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

The salary range for the Director of Philanthropy is $105,000-$135,000 in accordance with level of experience and BUILD’s equity-focused salary bands. BUILD offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees. This includes employer-paid medical, dental & vision coverage, flexible spending accounts (FSA), employer-paid life insurance, and a 403(b) plan with match. In addition, eligible BUILD employees qualify for generous vacation, sick, paid Federal holidays, week of July 4, and December 24 through January 1 off, a flexible work environment, professional development, and additional stipends for stretch projects.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Interested candidates are encouraged to promptly submit their application through our online portal. All applicants will receive a response to their application. Please email rcostello@positivelypartners.org with questions or for support submitting your application.

While subject to change, candidates elected to advance throughout the process can expect:

• an initial phone interview with Positively Partners

• a follow up video interview with Ryan Oliver, BUILD California Regional Executive Director

• a multi-part final interview including a work exercise

The expected start date is Spring 2025. Positively Partners is committed to conducting an equitable, accessible assessment process. If you would like to request accommodation during the interview process, please email search@positivelypartners.org. Requests for accommodation will be handled confidentially.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

BUILD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage applications from those with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences that reflect the populations we serve.

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