Director of Development

Description

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) seeks a creative, high-energy  Director of Development to build on an already-strong financial base and take us to the next level. 

About CLASP 

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) is a national, nonpartisan, anti-poverty organization advancing policy solutions that work for people with low incomes and people of color. We advocate for public policies and programs at the federal, state, and local levels that reduce poverty, improve the lives of people with low incomes, and advance racial, gender, and economic justice. Our solutions directly address the barriers that individuals and families face because of race, ethnicity, low income, gender, immigration status, and involvement with the carceral system. 

Over more than 50 years we have kept our vision alive through our trusted expertise on policy and strategy; deeply knowledgeable and committed staff; partnerships with directly impacted people and grassroots leaders; and bold, innovative, and inclusive approaches to economic, racial, and gender justice. 

At this crucial moment for the United States, CLASP is actively defending against unprecedented and relentless assaults on the people and policies at the core of our agenda. We are doing so through a mix of congressional advocacy built on our vision, relationships, and deep knowledge; administrative advocacy to fight against the unabating attacks on programs and policies; state-level change through generating impactful ideas in collaboration with state officials and advocates; and a powerful vision put forward together with on-the-ground leaders. 

About the Position 

The Director of Development plays a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission to promote economic security and racial equity for people with low incomes. This position leads CLASP’s comprehensive fundraising strategy, cultivating strong relationships with foundations, individual donors, and partners to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability and growth. 

As a member of the Leadership Team, the Director of Development works collaboratively across programs, Finance, and Communications to align fundraising goals with CLASP’s strategic priorities. The role oversees all aspects of development operations—including prospect research, proposal development, grant reporting, donor stewardship, and systems management—to strengthen CLASP’s capacity to secure and manage multi-year, mission-aligned funding. 

This position requires a visionary and results-oriented leader who brings both strategic and hands-on expertise in development, a deep commitment to CLASP’s values of racial equity and inclusion, and the ability to inspire philanthropic partners to invest in systemic change. 

The ideal candidate will have significant fundraising experience with foundation and individual donors, the capacity to lead a multifaceted fundraising strategy, the ability to work closely and collaboratively with a diverse staff and board of trustees, and a commitment to racial and economic justice. They will supervise a Development Team that currently includes a Senior Manager for Institutional Giving, a Development Manager, and a Foundation Relations Associate, as well as working closely with the board development committee, President/Executive Director (ED), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Leadership Team. They will be an effective implementer and comfortable in a small- to mid-sized nonprofit where everyone takes on multiple roles and responsibilities, including strategy and implementation.

This position reports to the COO with a dotted line to the ED. 

Key Responsibilities Include: 

Leadership and Strategy Development 

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with the board and board development committee. 
• Partner with the CLASP Leadership Team to develop and help implement multi-year fundraising plans for each program team. 
• Keep abreast of issues and developments in the field of philanthropy and fundraising. 

Management of the Overall Fundraising Program and Systems 

• Provide oversight of CLASP’s fundraising program and staff, including developing and implementing a workplan across foundation and individual fundraising.  
• Ensure effective data tracking, recommending improvements where needed. 
• Report on success and lessons learned to the board and ED. 

Supervision of a High-Performing Development Team 

• Provide overall supervision, professional development, and mentoring to the team. 
• Oversee consultants and integrate them into the team as appropriate. 
• Through team meetings and other strategies, ensure development staff are collaborative, high-performing, and well-integrated into CLASP. 

Foundation Fundraising 

• Provide overall guidance and support in developing and submitting a large volume of timely, high-quality proposals to current and new foundation funders.
• Serve as a thought partner to the ED to generate large-scale multi-year grants year after year. 
• Oversee reporting on current grant and contract obligations, in partnership with the Development Team and COO. 
• Provide support in writing and editing foundation documents. 
• Support the Finance and Administration Team in tracking foundation revenue (with lead responsibility in tracking foundation funding through the point of award), including monthly and quarterly reports and forecasts. 
• Work with colleagues to ensure relationships with all foundations are strong and current, taking on direct relationships where appropriate. Ensure that team directors have the coaching and support needed to strengthen their foundation fundraising skills. 
• Oversee fundraising technology, including prospective research tools, databases, and online giving services. Recommend and make improvements as necessary. 

Individual Donor Fundraising and Other Potential New Directions 

• Manage and drive the strategy of our individual giving plan, to include developing the system for renewing individual donors, sourcing and pursuing new individual prospects at all levels, and planning and executing events and campaigns to grow our individual giving base. Fine-tune the plan as needed throughout the year, partnering with board members, the board’s development committee, and the ED. 
• Analyze the interests of donors and prospects to develop compelling pitches, engagement strategies, and cultivation plans.? 
• Collaborate with the Communications Team to tell the story of CLASP’s vision, priorities, and goals, including written appeals, renewal notices, reports, proposals, and event invitations. 
• Support donor engagement by preparing accurate, concise, and thoughtful meeting briefs and downloads, including background information and strategy. 
• Support the ED to maintain excellent relationships with a portfolio of individual donors and prospects. 
• Develop and implement CLASP’s planned giving program. 

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:   

• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in development in nonprofits.  
• Development experience in a policy/advocacy organization at the national level is preferred but not required. 
• Proven ability to lead staff at varying career stages, including both senior and early-career professionals, within a hybrid work environment. At least five years of team leadership is required. 
• Demonstrated and substantial experience with foundation fundraising, including general knowledge of both foundation and individual donor fundraising. 
• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively with ED/senior organizational leaders and board leaders to advance the organization’s agenda. 
• Knowledge of nonprofit finances and the ability to work closely with the Finance Team, develop and/or advise on detailed fundraising projections, oversee effective use of development and financial systems, and track progress against goals.? 
• Ability to work collaboratively with directors to advance the fundraising agenda (particularly the foundation agenda), including coaching non-development staff in fundraising strategies, working with the Development Team to coordinate proposals and reports with the policy teams, and strategizing with the policy teams on prospect development. 
• Strong writer and communicator. 
• Highly organized, attentive to detail, goal-oriented, and capable of multi-tasking. 
• Self-starter with high energy who can manage multiple tasks and adapt and respond quickly to opportunities.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead a multi-pronged agenda and juggle multiple tasks under pressure.
• Demonstrated capacity to set strategic priorities, to include soliciting input, making thoughtful judgments, and communicating priorities to colleagues and partners. 
• Demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, customer relationship management databases preferred. 
• Demonstrated capacity to quickly learn and communicate the nuances of an issue area.
• Previous experience with CLASP’s issue areas (including poverty, child and family policy, and economic justice) is strongly preferred.
• Commitment to improving the lives of people with low incomes, including immigrants and people of color. 
• Bachelor’s degree is required and a minimum of 10 years of related experience or a master’s degree or other advanced degree and seven years of related experience. 
• Candidates must be based in the Washington, D.C. area or be willing to relocate. 

UNION ENVIRONMENT AND POSITION STATUS 

CLASP is a unionized organization. This position is not part of the bargaining unit. Employees are represented by CLASP Workers United (OPEIU, Local 2). CLASP values collaboration, fair labor practices, and constructive engagement with the union. We recently finalized our first Collective Bargaining Agreement, which will be in effect until May 2027. 

COMPENSATION  

Salary is commensurate with experience. Salary range: 160k – 175k.  

CLASP offers exceptional benefits, including several health insurance options (most that currently require no employee-paid premiums). In addition, we provide the following benefits that currently require no employee-paid premiums: dental and vision insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and long-term care insurance. Additionally, we offer a 403(b)-retirement program with employer contributions, flexible spending accounts, and a no-cost gym onsite at our D.C. office. Finally, we provide generous vacation (four weeks in the first year), paid sick leave (three weeks annually), four floating holidays annually, paid family and medical leave, and holiday schedules.  

APPLICATION PROCESS  

Please send a cover letter explaining your interest in CLASP’s mission and why you are the best candidate for this position, along with your resume.  

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.  

CLASP is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.