Position: Director of Development

Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid)

Reports to: Executive Director

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

About The Cultural Conservancy

The Cultural Conservancy (TCC) is an Indigenous-led nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and based in San Francisco, Marin, and Sonoma Counties in California. Our mission is to protect and restore Indigenous cultures, empowering Native peoples and communities to renew their ancestral lands, languages, and lifeways. Through collaborative programs in land, food, art, and cultural education, TCC works to strengthen Indigenous sovereignty, revitalize living cultural traditions, and nurture a more just and sustainable future for all.

Position Overview

The Director of Development is a senior leadership role responsible for leading and strengthening The Cultural Conservancy’s fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and development operations. Working in close partnership with the Executive Leadership and Staff, this role advances TCC’s long-term financial sustainability by cultivating diverse and values-aligned funding sources.

The Director of Development builds donor/stakeholder relationships and oversees institutional and individual giving, grant strategy and management, donor stewardship, and fundraising systems. This position brings both strategic leadership and relational depth, grounded in Indigenous values, ethical philanthropy, and community accountability.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Development Strategy & Fundraising Leadership

1. Partner with the Executive Director and leadership team to design and implement a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with TCC’s mission and strategic priorities.
2. Lead the development and execution of annual fundraising plans, including foundation, government, tribal, corporate, and individual giving.
3. Identify opportunities to diversify and grow revenue streams, including major gifts, planned giving, and donor engagement initiatives.
4. Ensure fundraising practices align with Indigenous values, reciprocity, cultural integrity, and ethical stewardship.

Grant Development & Management

1. Oversee the full lifecycle of grant development, including prospect research, proposal development, submission, reporting, and funder stewardship.
2. Maintain strong relationships with institutional funders and partners, ensuring timely communication and compliance with reporting requirements.
3. Collaborate with program and finance staff to ensure proposals and reports accurately reflect program outcomes, budgets, and impact.

Donor & Partner Relations

1. Build and sustain authentic, long-term relationships with donors, funders, and philanthropic partners.
2. Support and partner with the Executive Director on major donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
3. Coordinate donor engagement opportunities, including site visits, small gatherings, and relationship-building convenings.
4. Ensure thoughtful, timely, and values-aligned donor stewardship across all levels of giving.

Development Systems & Operations

1. Manage and maintain TCC’s donor database (CRM), ensuring accurate tracking, segmentation, reporting, and data integrity.
2. Develop and refine development systems, workflows, and tools to support fundraising effectiveness and transparency.
3. Work closely with the Vice President of Operations to ensure alignment between fundraising activity, financial tracking, and grant compliance.

Communications and Public Engagement

1. Leads the development and implementation of TCC’s communications strategy to strengthen visibility and engagement with Indigenous communities, funders, and the public.
2. Oversee the production of TCC’s digital and print communications, including newsletters, social media, website content, and the annual report.
3. Collaborate with staff, artists, and cultural partners to uplift community voices and storytelling across all communication platforms.
4. Ensure consistent brand identity, messaging, and alignment with TCC’s mission and values.
5. Support the design and communication of special initiatives, including public programs, campaigns, and organizational announcements.

Leadership & Collaboration

1. Serve as a member of TCC’s leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy, planning, and learning.
2. Partner cross-functionally with program, operations, and leadership staff to align fundraising priorities with programmatic goals.
3. Participate in Board meetings and committees, as requested, to support fundraising strategy and governance engagement.
4. Supervise and mentor development staff, consultants, or contractors, fostering a collaborative and values-driven team culture.

Qualifications & Attributes

1. Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in nonprofit development or fundraising leadership roles.
2. Demonstrated success securing institutional funding and managing donor relationships across multiple giving streams.
3. Strong experience with grant strategy, proposal development, and funder reporting.
4. Familiarity with donor databases and CRMs (e.g., Salesforce, EveryAction, or similar platforms).
5. Strategic, organized, and systems-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and timelines.
6. Relational leadership style grounded in humility, accountability, and collaboration.
7. Deep commitment to Indigenous sovereignty, cultural stewardship, and The Cultural Conservancy’s mission and values.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $100-$125k, commensurate with experience and aligned with norms in the field. The Cultural Conservancy offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance; paid holidays; paid vacation and sick time; and participation in a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match when fiscally possible.

Apply

Please email careers@nativeland.org with resume and cover letter.