yUdjEha gO'wAdAnA-A k'ak'ûnEchE

The Yuchi Language Project

Job Opening

Who We are

The Yuchi Language Project is dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of the Yuchi people by creating new young speakers through immersion methods with fluent Elders and children. Established in the mid-90s and based in Glenpool, Oklahoma, we are a nonprofit organization committed to producing a new generation of Yuchi speakers through a living language habitat. Our comprehensive approach includes language classes, culture camps, master-apprentice sessions, curriculum development, and outdoor language curriculum based on the natural environment, heritage crops, traditional sports, and the Yuchi circle of life.

We are also focused on returning to traditional agriculture and raising Native heritage animals, which enriches our language program and community. We have seen success, Yuchi children are once again speaking Yuchi as a first language for the first time in a century. Our efforts have led to rapid growth in language learning, and we are now focused on maintaining and expanding this progress to ensure the sustainability of our operations.

The Position

Job Summary

The Director of Advancement will oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising and communications strategy that aligns with our vision and values. This includes securing funding and resources for our key projects and ensures the organization meets its revenue goals.

Key responsibilities also include:

● Grow our individual donors and foundation relationships.

● Strengthen and expand our institutional philanthropy portfolio.

● Manage campaigns including land/agricultural development.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

● Partner with the Leadership Team to define fundraising priorities as related to the organization's strategic priorities.

● Develop and implement a multi-year organization-wide fundraising strategy that is reflective and inclusive of diverse revenue streams – including foundations, corporations, and individuals. As part of this strategy, set, monitor, and report on measurable goals for revenue sustainability and growth.

● Forecast annual revenue goals and manage donor reports to maintain accuracy and financial accountability.

● Supervise internal systems that increase transparency and integration of data across the organization. This includes the evaluation of existing technology and tools and our new Salesforce database.

● Identify and prioritize individual major gift prospects, leveraging existing relationships with staff and Board member networks.

● Build the organization's major gifts infrastructure to bring on and steward individual and family foundation giving.

● Support and advise the Leadership team, the Board of Directors, and other senior staff on the cultivation and solicitation of major gift donors and prospects.

● Collaborate with leadership team to research and identify philanthropic potential within existing organizational relationships, and to identify new prospective funders.

● Explore possibilities to grow the organization's corporate fundraising opportunities and the resources required to invest in building the required strategy.

● Manage a portfolio of the organization's corporate and foundation funders (current and prospective).

● Oversee staff in the development and implementation of an organization-wide communications strategy that is culturally responsive and justice focused.

● Integrate the fundraising and communications strategies to effectively communicate their importance to both internal and external audiences.

● Partner with staff to create case statements for fundraising priorities. Ensure staff and Board members have the necessary tools to communicate information consistently and effectively to external audiences.

● Partner with the Executive Director in managing fundraising-related activities of the Board of Directors, including the creation of annual engagement plans for each Board member and managing additional vehicles for board engagement.

● Research and identify potential funding sources at the federal, state, local, and foundation levels.

● Conduct detailed research to find, engage, and apply for new grant opportunities.

● Oversee the entire process of grant proposals from start to finish, ensuring they are submitted on time and meet high-quality standards.

● Prepare detailed proposals with input from relevant team members, and get necessary approvals.

● Implement systems to track grant deadlines and maintain organized records.

● Lead efforts to manage and renew existing grants, maintaining strong relationships with grant makers.

● Ensure all grant applications and reports are completed on time.

● Build and maintain personal relationships with grantmaker representatives.

● Prepare clear and persuasive case statements for the organization’s projects and initiatives.

● Lead the preparation of the organization’s annual report, highlighting our achievements and goals.

● Plan and execute donor-related events and activities to enhance engagement and support.

● Manage and improve the organization’s donor and foundation management systems.

Who You Are:

● Bachelor's degree in areas such as non-profit management, communications, business administration, or a related field.

● Master's degree preferred, especially in non-profit management, philanthropy, or a related field.

● Over 4 years of experience in leading and managing fundraising activities.

● At least 2 years of experience handling grant management responsibilities.

● Demonstrated success in obtaining grants from foundations, with experience in writing

proposals, submitting applications, and generating reports.

● Proven expertise in creating and executing thorough fundraising strategies, including

research, donor cultivation, and stewardship.

● Strong knowledge of non-profit financial practices, including budgeting and accounting

principles.

● Experience using CRM systems like Salesforce or similar platforms for managing donor

information and tracking contributions.

● Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to produce compelling

proposals, detailed reports, and effective donor communications.

● Strong relationship-building skills, capable of maintaining connections with foundation

representatives, donors, and internal team members.

● Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, particularly in grant writing and reporting.

● Strategic thinker with the ability to devise and implement long-term fundraising plans.

Benefits Package

- 6% retirement

- 6% health benefit

- Paid holidays

- 14 Paid Sick days

- Remote Work Stipend if needed

Mission Driven

The ideal candidate is committed to our mission and eager to help grow and develop new Yuchi speakers through dedicated, transformative work.

Our Mission

To keep alive the rich heritage of the Yuchi people by creating new young speakers of our unique language through breath-to-breath immersion methods with master speakers and children.