Director of Development

WHO WE ARE

The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) is a global network working towards a just and waste-free world without incineration. GAIA’s mission is to catalyze a global shift towards environmental justice by strengthening grassroots social movements that advance solutions to waste and pollution. We envision a just, zero waste world built on respect for ecological limits and community rights, where people are free from the burden of toxic pollution, and resources are sustainably conserved, not burned or dumped.

THE ROLE

GAIA has grown rapidly from a $1.2 million organization to a nearly $7.5 million organization over the last six years and has exciting growth opportunities on the horizon. We are seeking a new Director of Development who will ensure the sustainability of our organization’s current revenue while also tapping into potential new revenue streams, allowing us to grow to a $10+ million organization in the next several years. The Director of Development provides high-touch leadership to GAIA’s activities related to resource mobilization, assessing and prioritizing opportunities for new and current sources of revenue. The Director of Development partners closely with the Executive Director and six regional and global team directors to support their activities related to fundraising–both for GAIA’s core activities and for the programs of our member organizations–and facilitates the execution of strategies and opportunities that arise from ongoing conversation with other members of GAIA’s leadership and development teams. 

This role is responsible for building and managing a small team and reports to GAIA’s US Executive Director. As a member of the Management Team for a global network, the Director of Development shares responsibility for nurturing GAIA’s inclusive and equity-oriented culture, and for championing a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens. In the fundraising department this includes a focus on the redistribution of resources toward GAIA’s member organizations in communities that are most impacted by waste and climate pollution, through collaborative fundraising efforts, regranting programs, technical support, and other similar strategies. The opportunities in front of GAIA right now in terms of new prospective funding are significant, and the right candidate could make a major contribution to grassroots organizing for waste and climate justice globally.  

New prospective funding opportunities are significant, and we are excited for the right candidate to make a major contribution to grassroots organizing for waste and climate justice globally. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Spearhead GAIA’s overall strategy and execution of fundraising activities, prioritizing high-value growth opportunities
• Oversee engagement with current and prospective donors, ensure ongoing sustainability of current organizational revenue 
• Work with program and organizational leaders to develop fundraising strategies aligned with donor interests and organizational goals
• Work with GAIA’s Executive Director and leadership team to cultivate new donors, especially in the climate space, and develop relationships with key strategic partners
• Diversify GAIA’s funding through the expansion of our small individual giving program.
• Build and lead a staffing plan to support the sustainability of current revenue streams and growth of resources needed to increase organizational revenue
• In 2023, supervise GAIA’s Institutional Giving Manager, several development consultants, and additional development staff as the team grows
• Oversee the full-cycle proposal process for institutional funding, including providing inputs and strategic insights into grant proposals and reports, developing new writing as needed, and ensuring that deadlines are met 
• Be main point of contact and steward for major donors, both current and future
• Identify, and when appropriate, represent GAIA in strategic engagement opportunities such as funder conferences, webinars, networking events, etc. to grow and strengthen relationships that further organizational goals
• Support organizational leaders in their external engagements with key strategic partners and identify opportunities for leaders to participate in thought leadership conferences, coalitions, and other strategic partnership opportunities
• Review organizational history of engagement with funders and other strategic partners in order to strategically and effectively advise others within GAIA’s leadership and network
• Prepare revenue projections as part of GAIA’s annual budgeting process
• Write annual appeal and other compelling development outreach materials
• Collaborate with staff to maximize donor engagement in webinars, forums, and other program or communication-driven opportunities
• Organize funder-specific engagements around key program topics to engage donor interest, including working with event leadership to get donor cohort to international conferences

QUALIFICATIONS

Required 

• Track record of at least 3 years of success leading a non-profit development team for an organization raising $5 million or above, and/or of increasing revenue for an organization with a budget of at least $3 million 
• Experience seeking, obtaining, and renewing multi-year 6- and 7-figure grants from private foundations, as well as gifts of $50,000 or above from individual donors
• Experience supervising and building a small team, with an orientation toward collaboration, inclusion, and information-sharing
• Ability to independently manage the full grant-cycle of multiple institutional donors, and willingness to get involved in the day-to-day aspects of development and grant management, especially while the team is small and growing
• Outstanding verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to understand needs, connect opportunities, and prioritize capacities
• Strong English-language writing and editing skills 
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, including the ability to collaborate on proposal development and writing projects in a multicultural environment across time zones
• Experience managing funder relationships, and a willingness to travel both domestically and internationally to meet with donors and other team members
• Commitment to environmental, climate, and social justice and deep mission alignment with GAIA

Desired

• Experience diversifying charitable revenue streams
• Experience working within an international/multicultural organization 
• Experience furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in fund development
• Experience implementing streamlined systems, processes, and organizational structures to support increased revenue and transaction volume
• Spanish language skills

WHAT WE OFFER

• Meaningful work – operating from a place of connectivity and trust, we are able to exchange the cross-border knowledge and tools needed to create a truly global movement that puts an end to waste pollution.
• Comprehensive benefits – this includes employer-covered health/dental insurance, paid family leave, approximately 30 days of paid time off each year (including vacation, holidays, and the last week of each calendar year), retirement plan, and an opportunity to qualify for a sabbatical.
• Strong culture and dedicated team – we take pride in our highly motivated team, and our ability to support one another’s work in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. 

LOCATION, COMPENSATION, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Salary range $135,000-$150,000, depending on experience. 

• Currently, some of our team is working hybrid, and others are working remotely. GAIA is a highly collaborative environment and as such this position will preferably be based out of the San Francisco Bay Area or New York City. However, we are willing to consider applicants with strong qualifications from anywhere in the United States.
• Regular domestic and international travel will be required, likely at least one week per quarter.
• Full COVID-19 vaccination is required for GAIA employees who travel and attend meetings for GAIA.
• Work is performed both independently and collaboratively. Work is performed on a computer, requires almost constant use of a keyboard, mouse, or other pointing device and may be performed sitting or standing.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

We are committed to equal employment opportunity principles and providing all employees with a safe work environment free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome you regardless of your race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, age, physical ability, nationality, or any other status unrelated to the performance of the job and protected by law. GAIA practices affirmative action, and candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://www.careers-page.com/gaia/job/L6R9R38R only, including a resume and cover letter. This position will be open until filled; applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the first round of interviews will commence quickly.