Development director

The Development Director is a pivotal role at Michigan United, a community organizing, power-building nonprofit organization, and is responsible for steering our fundraising strategy toward sustainable growth. This role demands a unique blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, and an entrepreneurial spirit. The Development Director will lead traditional fundraising efforts, including foundation grants, individual donations, and major gifts, while also exploring innovative revenue generation methods to bolster the organization's financial resilience and capacity to fulfill its mission. This role reports to the Deputy Executive Director.

Read more about Michigan United’s theory of change here.

About Michigan United

Michigan United is a statewide organization of community members and institutions working together to fight for the dignity and potential of every person. We organize around issues including immigrants’ rights, criminal justice reform, environmental justice, rural concerns, healthcare, and civic engagement. Together with our affiliated 501(c)(4), Michigan United Action, we build long-term political power and work to transform political and economic systems to prioritize people and the planet.

Michigan United is represented by SOUL of MU & MUA (Statewide Organized United Labor of Michigan United and Michigan United Action). It is affiliated with the Newspaper Guild of Detroit, Local 34022. This position will not be part of the bargaining unit.

Position Details and Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership:

• Develop a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy that incorporates a balanced mix of traditional philanthropy, fundraising events, and small donor campaigns, while researching and actively seeking innovative revenue generation methods.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of fundraising activities, leveraging data analytics to inform strategic decisions and optimize fundraising efforts.
• Champion a culture of philanthropy within the organization, ensuring seamless integration of fundraising with broader strategic goals and fostering collaboration and communication across all levels and departments.
• Lead annual organizational plan and report efforts on both the 501 (c) (3) and 501 (c) (4) sides with a close partnership and coordination with executive leadership, department directors, communications, and consultants.

Grant Management:

• Provide supervision and management of a grant manager who will be responsible for implementing a proactive grant-seeking process, including research, proposal development, and submission, focusing on aligning with potential funders’ priorities and maximizing funding opportunities while maintaining an emphasis on timeliness, organization, accountability, and transparency.
• Build and nurture strategic relationships with foundations and grant-making institutions, engaging in ongoing dialogue to align our projects with their interests and ensuring compliance with grant requirements.
• Oversee a rigorous grant tracking and reporting system in coordination and collaboration with BOOM (our back office support organization) to ensure accountability, transparency, and effective stewardship of funds received.

Donor Relations and Stewardship:

• Design and execute a comprehensive donor recognition and stewardship program that acknowledges contributions meaningfully, fostering long-term relationships and increasing donor retention.
• Utilize advanced CRM systems to segment donor data and craft personalized outreach strategies, enhancing engagement through targeted communications and bespoke donor experiences.
• Facilitate high-impact donor events and experiences that deepen engagement and showcase the tangible impact of contributions, enhancing donor commitment and support.
• Develop funder reports consistently, including annual 501 (c) (3) and 501 (c) (4) plans and programmatic summaries in collaboration with programmatic staff.

Membership Program Development:

• Innovate and manage a tiered membership program with the Power Building Director and data manager, defining clear value propositions for different levels of engagement and support, encouraging deeper community involvement and sustained financial contributions from active member volunteers.
• In collaboration with the communications department, deploy targeted digital marketing campaigns to promote the membership program, leveraging social media platforms, email marketing, and other digital channels to expand reach and drive enrollment.
• Establish mechanisms for member feedback and engagement, continuously refining the program based on member insights and trends to maximize satisfaction and retention while unceasingly focusing on member recognition and seeking to highlight their efforts and importance in movement building.
• Planned Giving and Major Gifts:
• Lead targeted initiatives to cultivate and secure major gifts and planned giving arrangements, developing personalized strategies for outreach, engagement, and recognition of significant donors.
• Coordinate with financial and legal advisors to facilitate complex giving arrangements, ensuring a smooth and reassuring process for donors considering substantial or legacy gifts.

Event Planning and Management:

• Conceptualize, plan, and execute at least two fundraising events annually, from intimate donor gatherings to large-scale galas, ensuring each event aligns with our mission, engages our audience, and achieves fundraising targets.
• Manage all aspects of event planning, including venue selection, vendor negotiations, programming, marketing, and post-event follow-up, ensuring a high-quality experience for participants and a positive return on investment.
• Leverage events as strategic donor cultivation and recognition opportunities, integrating innovative engagement tactics and personalized experiences to deepen donor relationships.

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Serve as a dynamic leader on the senior leadership team, setting a vision for growth and innovation in fundraising and revenue generation.
• Mentor and develop a diverse team of fundraising professionals, fostering excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Begin exploring alternative revenue models, including potential for-profit ventures, in alignment with our mission and long-term sustainability goals.
• Direct the annual organizational planning and reporting processes for both the 501 (c) (3) and 501 (c) (4) entities, in close collaboration with executive leadership, department directors, communications, and external consultants.

Financial Management:

• Oversee the development and management of the fundraising and revenue budget, ensuring resources are allocated strategically to maximize impact, while providing consistent and timely reports on progress toward fundraising goals.
• Collaborate with the Finance and the leadership team to provide comprehensive, transparent financial reporting to the executive team and board of directors, offering insights into fundraising performance, revenue trends, and strategic growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Work Experience, Skills & Attributes
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record in developing and executing successful fundraising strategies and innovative revenue generation projects.
• Deep knowledge of fundraising principles and practices, including donor relations, grant management, major gifts, small donors, and membership and planned giving. Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to leverage data and technology to drive decision-making and innovation.
• A deep commitment to social and economic justice, mentoring, and developing future fundraising professionals within our organization and movement, with an emphasis on developing budgeting and grant writing skills of existing staff.

Additional Job Specifications

• Job Classification: Exempt, Full-Time
• Job Length: At-will
• Compensation: $80,000 - $85,000, depending on experience.
• Work Schedule: 40 hours M-F, Primarily Weekdays with Some Evenings / Weekends.
• Location: Hybrid: On-site & Virtual
• Benefits : Health, Vision, Dental, PTO, FSA, 401K, Discretionary Year-End Contributions, etc.

The Development Director can be hybrid within the State of Michigan, but must be based in the State of Michigan. Team members are located throughout the state, with our headquarters in Detroit. There will be in-person events, meetings, and activities. Our work schedule is standard business hours with flexibility. Evenings and weekends are occasionally required. This position requires consistent travel both within and outside the state. The candidate must be willing to attend fundraising conferences, meetings, and events; build in-person relationships with staff and funders; and regularly participate in organizational activities and events.

Application Process

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply via the Paylocity link. If you are unable to apply via the link, please send your application to [email protected]. Applications should include a resume, a letter of interest, and three professional references. Please ensure your cover letter highlights your experience related to the responsibilities outlined in the job description and your commitment to Michigan United's mission.

Timeline: Submissions will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Michigan United contracts with BOOM LLC for backend & operational support including hiring and employment. BOOM LLC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Those that identify as queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, parents, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.