FOR THE PEOPLE

Development Director - Job Description

For The People (FTP) is the national nonprofit working with prosecutors to identify people in prison who can be safely released, reuniting families and strengthening communities for generations to come. We work with elected prosecutors to reevaluate past sentences and, where it can be shown that a current sentence is no longer in the interest of justice, we support the prosecuting agencies through the resentencing and prison release process. To learn more, visit fortheppl.org.

About the Position 

We are seeking a Development Director to lead For The People’s fundraising and development strategy during an exciting period of growth. This is an opportunity to build and strengthen the systems, relationships, and strategies that sustain and expand FTP’s impact. Working alongside the CEO, the Development Director will drive efforts to identify, engage, augment, and steward our funders and funding streams as FTP  continues to grow and expand.  

The Development Director will collaborate closely with leaders across the organization to align fundraising strategy with programmatic priorities, organizational goals, and long-term growth plans. The Development Director will play a key role in helping FTP achieve its fundraising objectives while continuing to strengthen the organization's development function. The successful candidate will bring a fresh perspective and be a creative and strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit, a growth mindset, and a passion for FTP’s mission and values.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Fundraising Strategy Development

• Lead the development and execution of FTP’s annual fundraising strategy in support of the organization’s strategic priorities, long-term sustainability, and growth.
• Partner with the CEO and organizational leaders to identify funding opportunities, establish fundraising goals, and develop plans to achieve them.
• Grow and diversify FTP’s funding streams, including foundation, individual, corporate, and public-sector support.
• Partner with teams across the organization to identify compelling stories, case studies, impact data, and organizational priorities that strengthen fundraising strategies, proposals, and donor communications.
• Strengthen board engagement in fundraising, stewardship, and ambassador activities. 

Funder Prospecting, Cultivation and Stewardship 

• Build and manage a robust funding pipeline that ensures diverse funding streams for stable, long-term funding.
• Lead cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and renewal efforts for major donors and institutional funders, partnering closely with the CEO on priority relationships.
• Grow FTP’s giving program through donor engagement strategies, giving campaigns, and fundraising events.
• Expand FTP’s portfolio of foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities.
• Provide strategic briefings for the CEO in advance of key funder meetings and opportunities.
• Lead the development of compelling proposals, applications, and reports, serving as both a strategic thought partner and hands-on contributor.  
• Partner with the Communications Team, and other FTP teams as appropriate, to develop fundraising materials.

Development Operations, Analytics & Reporting

• Build and oversee development systems, processes, and reporting to support  effective donor management, stewardship, and revenue tracking.
• Partner with the Finance Team on revenue forecasting, grant tracking, and financial reporting related to philanthropic funding.

• Monitor fundraising performance and regularly communicate progress toward goals, key metrics, opportunities, challenges, and strategic recommendations to the CEO, the CFO, and Board, as appropriate.
• Oversee all reporting requirements for donors/funders, ensuring reports are completed accurately, thoughtfully, and on time.
• Continuously evaluate and improve FTP’s fundraising strategies, systems, and practices to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

Team Leadership & Management

• Manage, develop, and support members of the Development Team.
• Manage and coordinate external consultants and contractors to support development priorities and fundraising initiatives.
• Establish priorities, workflows, and accountability across development activities.
• Partner closely with the Senior Executive Assistant & Development Manager to ensure strong coordination of donor engagement, stewardship, and development prio