Fund to Build Grassroots Power: Development Manager

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JOB DESCRIPTION

ABOUT US

THE FUND TO BUILD GRASSROOTS POWER (the Fund) is a national grantmaking intermediary dedicated to empowering grassroots organizations advancing environmental, climate, and social justice across the U.S. Since 2018, the Fund has awarded over $34 million to 136 frontline groups—87% led by Black, Brown, Indigenous women. In partnership with four national networks—Climate Justice Alliance, Environmental Justice Leadership Forum, People’s Action Institute, and PowerSwitch Action—the Fund fuels community-driven change, reaching more than three million people annually. Guided by nationally recognized grassroots organizer, Executive Director Denise Padín Collazo, the Fund champions equity, leadership development, and transformative, movement-accountable philanthropy.

POSITION SUMMARY

Job Title: Development Manager

Reports To: Executive Director

Status: Full-Time, Exempt, Temporary position for 2 years

Location: Fully Remote within the US

Target Salary Range: $75,000 – $85,000 (Based on experience and location)

Comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees (and their families).

Temporary employees will become eligible to enroll in a 401k retirement plan after one year of employment, and will receive a 3% automatic employer contribution, as well as up to a 3% employer match on 401k contributions.

Employees receive more than 220 hours of vacation, health, casual, and volunteer leave annually combined plus 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.

The Development Manager (DM) is responsible for the day-to-day execution and administrative management of the Fund to Build Grassroots Power’s (FBGP) fundraising strategy, ensuring the achievement of the annual $1M-$3M budget goal. This role is a critical infrastructure position, focused on foundation relations, annual giving, donor systems (CRM), and supporting the Executive Director’s major gift efforts.

WHY WORK HERE?

Advance Justice on Multiple Fronts: Fundraising here supports networks at the intersection of climate, environmental, racial, and economic justice, inspiring investment in community-led solutions for millions. Partner with Visionary Leadership: Work alongside the Executive Director to leverage her strategic movement-building expertise and build donor trust to attract sustainable support.

Redefine Philanthropy: Champion participatory, trust-based grantmaking, engaging

donors in a model that shifts power to grassroots communities to bring about justice.

Drive Real Impact: Secure resources for frontline organizations, especially those led by Black, Brown, Indigenous women, demonstrating tangible improvements and motivating

continued donor investment.

Thrive in a Values-Driven Culture: Join a collaborative, innovative team that values

equity and empowers authentic donor relationships and impactful campaigns.

Grow Your Movement Career: Expand your skills in network building and strategy while

developing innovative fundraising approaches and advancing your leadership in

movement philanthropy. Your work at the Fund will support grassroots organizing and help shape the future of environmental and climate justice philanthropy from the ground up.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (include but are not strictly limited to):

Foundation Relations & Grant Management (45%)

• Pipeline Management: Manage the full grant lifecycle, including prospecting, timely proposal submissions, and accurate reporting to secure funding support.

• Writing & Editing: Write, edit, and tailor foundation proposals, letters of inquiry (LOIs), and grant reports, working closely with the ED on content.

• Compliance: Maintain a comprehensive grant calendar and ensure all reporting requirements are met on time.

Individual Giving Support & Stewardship (35%)

• Director’s Circle Execution: Coordinate the Director’s Circle ($1K+) program, including managing print/digital appeals process—fulfillment, tracking, thank-you notes.

• Annual Giving: Coordinate all aspects of individual giving below $1K, print and digital appeal process—fulfillment, tracking, thank-you correspondence.

• Stewardship: Work with fundraising consultants to implement personalized stewardship plans for top donors and prospects, including coordinating meeting logistics, preparing donor research briefs for the ED, and ensuring timely, appropriate acknowledgments.

• Board Support: Work with fundraising consultant to prepare fundraising materials and talking points for the Advisory Board to increase their engagement in non-solicitation roles (e.g., networking, opening doors).

Donor Systems & Data Management (30%)

• CRM Administration: Serve as the lead administrator for the donor database (CRM). Ensure data hygiene, segmentation accuracy, gift processing fidelity, and compliance.

• Reporting: Generate ongoing revenue reports for the Executive Director, Advisory Board, and Consultant to inform fundraising strategy and track progress against goals.

• Infrastructure Support: Manage subscriptions for foundation research and wealth screening tools, ensuring the ED and Consultant have current prospect data.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: 4+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a demonstrated focus on foundation relations and/or individual giving.

• Technical Skills: Proven experience overseeing the management of a donor database/CRM system (e.g., Bloomerang, Salesforce, Neon). Proficient in prospect research and generating actionable data reports.

• Competencies: Exceptional organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and excellent professional writing and verbal communication. Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Experience working with a fundraising consultant.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• 40 hours per week with heavy computer use.

• Some travel requirements–mostly related to organizational convenings and advancement of donor/prospect relationships.

• Comfortable engaging with institutional and individual donors.

• Comfortable phone cold-calling institutional and individual prospective donors.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; priority will be given to those applications received by ** January 16, 2026**. Submit your application via the Movement Talent Opportunity Board application portal:

https://recruitcrm.io/apply/17659887740260060944Ehz

Applications must include the following in one document:

• Cover letter (no more than 1 page) expressing your interest in the Fund to Build Grassroots Power

• Resume

• Three professional references with titles, emails, phone numbers, and relationship to you

• A writing sample related to a fundraising campaign you’ve led

Fund to Build Grassroots Power is a project of Windward Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. Windward is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. Windward’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

E-Verify/Right to Work Disclosure

_Windward participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status. _