Sr. Director of Development, Unify

We are seeking a bold, relationship-driven, and deeply organized Senior Director of Development, Unify Ohio, to lead an ambitious civic fundraising effort in Ohio. Working in close partnership with the Chief of U.S. Democracy Leagues, this role builds the statewide funding base, equips local leaders to raise money in their own communities, and supports the pipeline of Ohio cities ready to plant, launch, and sustain a local Democracy League.

We’re on a mission to replace political fighting with collaborative problem-solving. Yeah, we know it sounds audacious. It is. But we’re doing it—by creating civic experiences that reduce polarization, teaching essential civic skills, and inviting Americans to use their differences to better solve common problems together.

Where we work:

• Cities (Democracy Leagues): Democracy Leagues is Unify America’s nonpartisan model for helping communities build a lasting engine of local deliberative democracy, using coalition-building and Civic Assemblies of randomly selected residents who deliberate on local issues and make recommendations to local government. In our flagship city, Akron, OH, the community is now working in partnership with city government to implement nine housing recommendations that earned 93% support from Assembly Delegates.

• Higher Education (Civic Gym): Over 50,000 college students have engaged in meaningful cross-partisan conversations. Think of it as training for democracy—reps, sweat, and all.

• Thought Leadership: Our founder and CEO, Harry Nathan Gottlieb, is stirring the civic conversation with fresh talks, ideas on social media, and an upcoming book that points toward a hopeful new era of democracy.

This role owns one big, hairy, audacious goal: $30 million raised by 2030
. That money is what turns Akron’s proof of concept into a statewide movement, engages tens of thousands across the state, and lays the groundwork for a statewide Ohio Civic Assembly. This Ohio Expansion Fund is designed to build and steward a statewide pooled fund that gives new Leagues predictable launch and early-growth resources.

You will be the Chief of U.S. Democracy Leagues’ closest partner on Ohio growth. Together, you’ll decide where Leagues launch and how they’re funded. You’ll build a statewide portfolio of funders who believe in Ohio, and you’ll coach local leaders so each League can raise its own money and stand on its own.

You’ll spend a lot of time in Ohio communities—meeting civic leaders, foundations, executives, and elected officials—because Leagues grow through trusted local relationships, not cold outreach.

1) Statewide Campaign Strategy & Leadership:

• Ohio Campaign Goals: Design and lead a multi-year Ohio campaign plan with annual targets, a gift-range chart, and a clear mix of foundation, corporate, individual, and public-sector support.

• Campaign Case & Materials: Turn Akron’s results and the statewide vision into a compelling case for support, proposals, pitch decks, and impact reports, working with our Creative and Strategic Relations teams.

2) Giving & Advisory Growth Team:

• Individual Donor Pipeline: Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward Ohio individuals, building a clear path from first gift to major and principal gifts, with a managed portfolio and regular moves plans.

• Foundation and Corporate: Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward national, regional, or Ohio-based foundations and major corporations with a stake in Ohio.

• Build and Engage Advisors: Recruit and lead a statewide advisory growth team of business, philanthropic, and civic leaders—across the political spectrum and from every region of Ohio—who open doors, make introductions, give, and help raise.

3) Expansion & Local Capacity…