Equality California - Development Director (Downtown Los Angeles)

January 17, 2015

Equality California - Development Director (Downtown Los Angeles)


Development Director (Downtown Los Angeles, CA)

Equality California (EQCA) is the premier statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization focused on creating a fair and just society. Our mission is to achieve and maintain full and lasting equality, acceptance, and social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside and outside of California. Our mission includes advancing the health and well-being of LGBT Californians through direct healthcare service advocacy and education.

Through electoral, advocacy, education and mobilization programs, we strive to create a broad and diverse alliance of LGBT people, educators, government officials, communities of color and faith, labor, business, and social justice communities to achieve our goals.

The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to play a senior, strategic role within the organization to meet and achieve new mission objectives.  

We are interested in a team member who is innovative, detail oriented and passionate about fundraising for a civil rights and social justice organization. At EQCA, we are committed to carrying out our work in ways that are strategic and creates impact in the LGBT civil rights movement.

The Development Director will be supervised by the Executive Director and will work collaboratively with senior leadership to raise funds for Equality California and Equality California Institute. Candidates should have at least 5 years of development experience.

EQCA is a fast paced and collaborative environment and, as such, candidates must be able to multi-task, prioritize, problem solve and supervise staff.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

·      Institutional and Corporate Fundraising: Research, identify, and build relationships with new potential sources of grant and sponsorship funding; enhance relationships with existing grantors and funders; write letters of inquiry and grant and sponsorship proposals, including budgets; prepare evaluative and financial reports as required; lead preparation for site visits and ongoing correspondence with funders.

·      Special Events: Lead planning and execution of special events for the organization, including five Equality Awards across the state. Lead and implement development of event sponsorship program. Support board-driven house parties and other opportunities as they arise.

·      Individual Fundraising: Oversee development and delivery of meaningful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities for current and prospective donors, including direct mail, and online giving programs; oversee special and major donor programs including our Capitol Club program; engage executive director, board, and other staff in achievement of annual fund goals; drive aggressive prospect research and data analysis to identify new supporters; and rigorously evaluate and adapt programs as needed to maximize net income.

·      Leadership and Integration: Provide overall strategic leadership to Equality California and its board from the perspective of resource development.

·      Supervision of a development associate.


Required Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 5 years experience in planning and leading innovative and successful fundraising efforts.
• Demonstrated success in raising funds from individual, major donors, corporate donors and foundations, as well as cultivating and stewarding those relationships.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in working independently, as part of a team, and in managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated skill and passion for developing relationships with diverse groups of people – including donors, colleagues, staff, board members, partners, elected officials, and others.
• Experience with direct mail & online fundraising.
• Familiarity with fundraising databases.
• Passion for the mission and vision of Equality California.
• Highly organized and efficient.
• Accurate, meticulous work style with high standards of quality and attention to detail.

Compensation: Competitive salary and commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Full benefits include paid vacation and sick time, health, dental, vision, short and long-term disability and a retirement plan among others.

Application Process: Please send your resume, cover letter, references, and salary requirements to jobs@eqca.org by January 29th for consideration. Please be sure to put "Development Director" in the subject line of your email. 
--