Organization Profile: 

BUILD envisions a world where all students—regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or neighborhood— develop the skills and connections needed to achieve economic power and freedom. Through our 3-year entrepreneurship-based, experiential learning program, BUILD ignites the power of youth in under-resourced communities to build Career success, Entrepreneurial mindsets, and Opportunity, preparing students to become the CEO of their own lives. Aligned to 21-century skills development, social-emotional learning, Common Core foundations and Career Technical Education standards, BUILD provides the entrepreneurial curriculum, coaching & connections that bring learning to life. Through our dynamic blended learning programs, educators are able to integrate BUILD’s core projects into existing courses, pathways, and out of school programs. We help partners bridge the gap between high school and post-secondary achievement in college, career, and entrepreneurship.

BUILD currently serves over 2,000 high school students annually located in our Regional Hubs in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington DC, New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh. Using our dynamic open-source intro offerings we’ve trained and equipped thousands of educators who engage tens of thousands of students in more than 100 cities. Over the next three years, we aim to reach hundreds of thousands more, building a vibrant coalition of entrepreneurial educators, students, alumni, strategic partners, and volunteers, dedicated to ensuring entrepreneurship education–and the opportunities it brings–is accessible to youth in every under-resourced community in the nation. For more information, please visit www.build.org. 

Our Culture:

BUILD is made up of a diverse, results driven and passionate team who believe in the potential of every student and the power of entrepreneurship to transform the education landscape. We work in a collaborative environment where perseverance, flexibility, and an entrepreneurial spirit are encouraged and celebrated. Our culture thrives by embracing diversity, equity and inclusion, including cross-cultural understanding. Kindness, empathy and respect are at the forefront of the way we treat each other, our students, our teachers and our supporters. We believe in the potential of every student and are dedicated to breaking down the educational, economic and social barriers that stand in the way of their long-term success. The remarkable young people whom we serve are at the center of everything we do. We are intentional about our culture so that we can best support them. 

Position Summary:

Reporting directly to the California Regional Executive Director (RED), the Director of Philanthropy (DP) will be responsible for leading the CA Development Team. The DP will work in close collaboration with the CA Director of Strategic Partnerships and site based Directors which make up the CA Directors cohort. With a regional annual goal of $2.5M-$3M, the DP will play an integral role in funding programs in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, as well as any future growth within the state of CA and the Western US. The DP is responsible for designing and guiding implementation of the annual and long-range strategy for securing gifts from diverse sources, including foundations, corporations, local and state governments, and individuals, and growing total funding raised over the next three to five years to meet growing demand for BUILD’s program within the region.

The DP position requires a high-level of drive and passion for our work, and the ability to operate in a high-energy, entrepreneurial environment where innovation and creativity are valued and expected.

Position Responsibilities:

Management of Development Team & Personal Portfolio

• Serve as a member of BUILD CA’s senior management team to help guide the overall strategic direction of the CA region. 

• Manage and provide high-quality supervision and professional development coaching to the members of the Development Team, which includes a Director of Strategic Partnerships, Development and Operations Manager, Grants Manager, and other positions to ensure attainment of their role-related goals and professional development objectives.

• In collaboration with the Development Team and Regional Executive Director, raise BUILD CA’s annual operating budget of $2.5M (with a personal portfolio of $750k) and create and execute a plan to increase the budget to $3M over the next 2-3 years. 

• Support fundraising for regional and national events including sponsorship, ticket sales, and in-kind donations as needed.

Strategy and Planning

• Complete strategic and tactical planning for a comprehensive fundraising program with annual and long-term fundraising objectives covering all aspects of development, including annual giving, in-kind donations, major gifts, grants, events, and co-managing the CA Regional Board. 

• Strategically leverage the time of the CA RED and other senior leaders to support fundraising targets, including developing the capacity of the Regional Boards to develop and deliver on annual goals. 

• Collaborate internally on special projects and provide leadership on cross-functional Program and Development Teams for fundraising activities and site visits that involve BUILD staff and students.

• Create a culture of mission driven fundraising among the California Team through presentations at team meetings, engaging program and development team members in professional development opportunities, and collaboration to host successful site visits for funders.

Donor and Board Cultivation

• Oversee planning and execution of cultivation/recognition events and activities in collaboration with the national and regional development cohorts. 

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of high-level major gift and foundation prospects; and assist in the focus, preparation, execution and follow–up for all donor meetings.

• Manage and track donor cultivation activities in the Raiser's Edge database and deliver reports for the RED, Development Team, and Regional Boards.

• Recruit and develop the CA Regional Board, including vision setting, goals, fundraising, and strategic direction in collaboration with the Regional Director.

Candidate Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree in a relevant field or comparable training preferred.

• At least 7-10 years of related experience with demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting and closing gifts from a variety of constituents. 

• Passion and commitment to youth, education, and social justice. 

• Prior experience designing and implementing comprehensive fundraising plans for all funding streams including individuals, corporations, foundations, local and state governments, events, and annual giving.

• Strong familiarity with the philanthropic – and broader – donor community in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and/or across the state of California.

• A high level of professionalism, compassion, creativity, and integrity coupled with an ability to earn the confidence of a wide range of internal and external constituents. 

• Demonstrated success managing multiple projects and operating with purpose, prioritization, and accuracy in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

• Previous experience working with corporate partners is a plus.

• Knowledge of Raiser's Edge or similar fundraising CRM preferred.

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following competencies through a combination of previous education/work experiences:

• Building Collaborative Relationships: Develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.

• Perseverance:  Self-motivated and motivates others to relentlessly pursue the organization’s goals, strategies, and mission.

• Results Oriented: Achieve a desired goal by planning and working towards it proactively.

• Influence:  Effectively solicit and gain support for ideas, proposals and projects, and negotiate win-win solutions through shared benefits and goals.

• Entrepreneurial Thinking: Demonstrate comfort with risk- and initiative-taking to achieve unique and aggressive goals that supports and incorporates BUILD’s mission and values.

Position Details:

• Status: Full Time/Exempt

• Location: Bay Area, CA; this is a hybrid role in that you will be expected to attend in person student events, donor meetings, community events to represent BUILD, and attend regional activities, on average 4-6 times a month during the school year. Otherwise, you can remotely work as needed or desired. BUILD offices are located in Oakland, San Mateo, and Los Angeles.

• Travel: Ability to travel in Greater Bay Area; periodic travel to Los Angeles and nationally for all organizational retreats

• Evening and weekend hours periodically required 

Compensation:

The salary for Director of Philanthropy ranges from $105,000-$135,000 in accordance with level of experience and BUILD’s equity focused salary bands. BUILD offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees. This includes employer paid medical, dental & vision coverage, flexible spending accounts (FSA), employer paid life insurance, and a 403(b) plan with match. In addition, eligible BUILD employees qualify for generous vacation, sick, paid Federal holidays, and December 24 through January 1 off, a flexible work environment, professional development and additional stipends for stretch projects.

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume. BUILD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position. 

Department: Development
This is a management position
This is a regular full time position