Development Director Jobs in Oregon

Reports To: Executive Director

Manages: Grant writing contractor

Location: Hybrid, in-office and in-community

Full-time : Exempt

Compensation: $125,000 -$140,000

Benefits: We cover 100% of our employees' base medical, dental, and vision. We reimburse mileage for private vehicle use while on CBE business.

Holidays: 12 plus one floating holiday per year. Generous PTO, at least two weeks per annum.

Organization Overview

Center for Black Excellence ("CBE") is a Portland-based learning organization that takes a whole-school, whole-community approach to building a world where we believe in and enable every child to thrive. We serve as the backbone to a collaborative of community-based organizations and schools, and recognize that lasting change requires building power and infrastructure, deepening relationships and expertise, and centering the voices of the people most directly affected by the systems we seek to change.

We are a growing nonprofit with a large scope of work, ranging from developing technological tools that empower students, families, and educators; coordinating out-of-school time enrichment and career exploration opportunities for PK–12 students; co-creating rigorous, engaging curriculum with communities and educators; and facilitating a robust set of convenings that move educators, parents, nonprofit leaders, and industry partners from relationship-building to grassroots-led policy advocacy. We are building a team that reflects the community we serve, and that brings both technical excellence and deep commitment to racial justice.

The Opportunity

The Development Director builds and sustains the relationships that fund our work, including individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners. This role owns the pipeline and closes the gifts, and also does real hands-on work on the research, writing, and materials that make those asks land. You won't be handing off all the prep work to someone else. You'll be doing a lot of it yourself, in partnership with a small, growing team.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Revenue

• Develop and execute an annual fundraising strategy covering individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners, in partnership with the Executive Director
• Own and grow a portfolio of major donor and foundation relationships, from initial outreach through stewardship
• Set and track annual and multi-year revenue goals, and report regularly to the Executive Director and Board on progress
• Collaborate with Executive Director, Director of Operations & Finance, and other relevant team members to develop annual and multi-year budgeting

Grants & Materials

• Lead the organization's grant portfolio, including prospect research, proposal strategy, and reporting deadlines
• Write and edit grant narratives, donor communications, and other fundraising materials yourself, pulling in program data and research as needed rather than relying solely on others for prep work
• Give final review and approval on all grant proposals and reports before submission

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Partner with the Executive Director and other relevant staff on donor research, meeting follow-up, and briefing materials
• Coordinate with the Executive Director, Director of Operations, Student Initiatives Manager, and Advocacy & Engagement Manager to shape funder narratives grounded in what's actually happening in our programs and policy work
• Work with the Communications Manager on donor-facing materials like annual reports, newsletters, and appeal letters

What You'll Bring

• 8+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a track record of closing five- and six-figure gifts
• Demonstrated success building and managing a portfolio of major donor and/or foundation relationships
• Strong writing skills and comfort drafting grant proposals, donor communications, and funder narratives without heavy support
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with a small, growing team

Nice to Have

• Experience working directly with Black communities
• Experience in education, youth development, or a related field
• Experience translating program data or evaluation findings into funder narratives
• Experience closing seven-figure gifts

CBE is an equal opportunity employer committed to pay equity. We publish our salary ranges and do not negotiate below the range floor.

We welcome applications from candidates whose experience spans multiple roles or organizations — and especially from those who bring a lived connection to the communities we serve.

Submit a resume and a cover letter describing your interest in this role, your connection to CBE's mission, and your relevant experience to info@centerblackexcellence.org. Use the subject line: Development Director.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Pay: $125,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Portland, OR 97227