Development Manager

Development Manager, Little Thing

Location: Full-time, remote. Preference for San Francisco Bay Area, New York, NY or Washington, DC.

Little Thing is a small but mighty team of communications, research, fundraising and advocacy campaigning experts working with prominent and influential clients on national political issues. We advise major national advocacy and research organizations, as well as large charitable foundations that support them. Our portfolio primarily focuses on work related to climate change and the protection of our democracy. 

What you can expect:

• Colleagues who are as committed to moving the needle as they are to creating a fun and collaborative team environment with partners and clients from all over the advocacy landscape.
• Room to be creative, entrepreneurial and innovative.
• Opportunity to evolve and redefine your role as the job and organization changes.
• A little team that packs a big punch on the hottest issues of the day.

In this role, we’re seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Development Manager to split their time between proposal and report writing and developing a robust prospect pipeline to support the organization’s growth. The Development Manager will collaborate closely with Little Thing’s Director and Co-Founder, as well as our Director of Operations. This role reports to the Director; the role does not have a direct report.

The Development Manager will be an organized fundraising professional with a deep commitment to tackling climate change, protecting democracy, and advancing progress on other major issues. In this position, you will play a leading role on our highly effective team, and you will have the opportunity to put your personal stamp on our rapidly growing organization.  

Our fundraising portfolio, in support of our clients, is primarily made up of institutional funders. Initially, this role will focus on grant proposal and report writing, as well as taking the lead on the overall organization and management of development related materials, requirements and deadlines. Once fully onboarded, this role will require creative and strategic prospecting, research, and management of potential ways to expand our donor base. As our prospect pipeline grows, we envision the Development Manager having the opportunity to eventually manage their own portfolio of donors.

Primary Functions:

The primary responsibilities of the Development Manager will include the following:

• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the organizations we work with and the nuances of their issues. Understand how they work, what they are trying to achieve and what kind of fundraising opportunities are aligned with their interests.
• Develop, write and submit foundation requested grant proposals and reports.
• Ensure timely submission of foundation materials, compliance with reporting requirements, and effective stewardship of foundation relationships.
• Support a comprehensive prospect research project, including identifying high-potential foundations and individuals and strategies for prospect engagement. Recommend supporting research tools or resources as needed.
• Assist with maintaining accurate records for current donors in a CRM and to track prospects.
• Liaise with relevant staff and clients to share grant requirements and reporting expectations; ensure strong and compelling funder proposals, reports, and other requirements are met in a timely fashion; and adhere to a grants calendar that facilitates timely planning and submission of donor proposals and reports.
• In coordination with the Director and Director of Operations, develop and continuously update a strategic plan for long-, medium- and short-term development initiatives.
• Keep abreast of foundation fundraising best practices and trends. Seek out and participate in external events and networking opportunities.
• Participate in Little Thing staff activities, including team retreats, convenings, check-in calls, and other all-staff activities as requested.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess many or all of the following qualifications:

• Engaged in the overlap between media, advocacy, and politics, with insight on the influences shaping climate change policy and/or anti-democracy initiatives. We are in the weeds on the details with our clients.
• 7 years experience in nonprofit fundraising, with at least 5 years experience in grant writing, database management and administration, and prospect research.
• Very organized, proactive and on top of deadlines. You keep details and to-do’s straight, and make sure things don’t fall through the cracks.
• Strong analytical, research, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in identifying, cultivating, and securing new funding on behalf of a prior organization.
• Experience working in the nonprofit advocacy sector, especially on climate, energy and/or democracy issues, with experience understanding the nuances of those issues.
• Strong writing and editing skills; ability to translate complex ideas and strategies into clear, concise, and compelling narratives to engage current and prospective supporters.
• Experience and ease with donor CRM databases, nonprofit 501(c)(3) compliance, donor privacy policies, and maintaining development related files.
• Capacity to build relationships marked by respect, trust, and integrity; treat everyone as you would like to be treated, and be unthreatened by others’ strengths; accountability in all interpersonal and professional interactions.
• Creativity, resourcefulness, appropriate aggressiveness and possessing an entrepreneurial and intellectual curiosity.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time to meet with current and prospective funders, or to attend organization-wide meetings and events.

The estimated salary range we are considering for this position is between $75,000-$105,000, commensurate with experience.

Little Thing strives to offer a competitive total compensation package including health, dental, vision. We also offer unlimited time-off, 3 months of paid parental leave, professional development stipends and 401k/Roth retirement options with a company match. While we work remotely, we have a strong preference for someone based near Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA or New York City, NY. Candidates must reside in the United States.