Position: Development Director (Los Angeles)

Salary range: $100,00-125,000 annually

Type: Full-Time

Start: As soon as possible

Closing date of this position: Open until filled

Tentative Start Date: ASAP

Organizational Background:

Equality California (EQCA) is the nation’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization with over 900,000 members. Equality California brings the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. Through its legislative work, EQCA has successfully sponsored over 150 pieces of pro-equality legislation cementing California as the state with strongest LGBTQ+-civil rights protections in the country.

Equality California Institute (EQCAI) is a 501(c)3 organization that has a parallel mission statement to EQCAI, its 501(c)4 counterpart. EQCAI educates the broader community on important LGBTQ+ issues such as transgender equality, violence and hate crimes, healthcare, health disparities, the needs of LGBTQ+ seniors and youth, homelessness and immigration. Over the last five years, EQCAI has spearheaded successful programs to tackle these issues, including multiple public education campaigns, such as the Safe and Supportive Schools Report Card, the Equality California Leadership Academy, the Equality California Mentorship Corps, Transform California, Equality4All, #Take It, I’m PrEPed, Let California Ring, Fair Share for Equality, the Breakthrough Conversations Project, and Health Happens with Equality.

Silver State Equality is Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, affiliated with and supported by Equality California.

Equality California’s affiliated political action committees work to elect pro-equality candidates running for federal, state and local elected office who have a proven track record of supporting civil rights and social justice for LGBTQ+ people and who are committed to advancing these goals in their capacity as elected officials.

Position Overview:

The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to play a senior, strategic role within the organization to meet and achieve new mission objectives.

We are interested in a team member who is innovative, detail oriented and passionate about fundraising for a civil rights and social justice organization. At EQCA, we are committed to carrying out our work in ways that are strategic and creates impact in the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.

The Development Director will work collaboratively with senior leadership to manage the fundraising programs for Equality California and Equality California Institute overseeing a development department with a staff of six. The Development Director will report to the Managing Director and Executive Director. Candidates should have at least 6 years of development experience.

EQCA is a fast paced and collaborative environment and, as such, candidates must be able to multi-task, prioritize, problem solve and supervise staff.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Development Planning: Developing and updating fundraising plans and strategies to meet organizational fundraising budget and objectives.
• Corporate Fundraising: Research, identify, and build relationships with new potential sources of corporate funding; enhance relationships with existing corporations; write sponsorship proposals, and ongoing correspondence with funders.
• Special Events: Lead planning and execution of special events for the organization, including five Equality Awards across the state and one Equality Awards in Nevada. Lead and implement development of event sponsorship program. Support board-driven house parties and other opportunities as they arise.
• Individual Fundraising: Oversee development and delivery of meaningful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities for current and prospective donors, including direct mail, and online giving programs; oversee special and major donor programs including our Capitol Club program; engage executive director, board, and other staff in achievement of annual fundraising goals; drive aggressive prospect research and data analysis to identify new supporters; and rigorously evaluate and adapt programs as needed to maximize net income.
• Leadership and Integration: Provide overall strategic leadership to Equality California and its board from the perspective of resource development.
• Management: Supervision of a six-person development team including two associate directors and three development associates.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years experience in planning and leading innovative and successful fundraising programs.
• Excellent planning and metrics-based project and team management skills.
• Demonstrated success in raising funds from individual, major donors, corporate donors and foundations, as well as cultivating and stewarding those relationships.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in working independently, as part of a team, and in managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated skill and passion for developing relationships with diverse groups of people – including donors, colleagues, staff, board members, partners, elected officials, and others.
• Experience with direct mail & online fundraising.
• Familiarity with fundraising databases.
• Passion for the mission and vision of Equality California.
• Highly organized and efficient.
• Accurate, meticulous work style with high standards of quality and attention to detail.

Full benefits include paid vacation and sick time, health, dental, vision, short and long-term disability and a retirement plan among others. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

The position will be based in Los Angeles.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Equality California/Equality California Institute staff are working remotely. If and when it is safe to do so (in compliance with the state and local guidance), the Development Director will be expected to work from the EQCA/I headquarters in Los Angeles with significant travel throughout the state.

Equality California is an equal employment opportunity employer. Equality California does not make employment decisions or discriminate based on protected characteristics including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and/or gender expression), sexual orientation, age, physical or mental handicaps, veteran status, or genetic information as prescribed by applicable local, state, and federal law. We strongly encourage diverse candidates to apply, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, people of diverse gender identities, and LGBTQ+ allies.

To apply:

Email resume, cover letter, references and salary requirements to Tony Hoang at jobs@eqca.org. Please be sure to put “Development Director” in the subject line of your email.