Director Of Development & External Affairs

Director Of Development & External Affairs

Founded in 1997, Bottom Line is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization with a mission to partner with degree-aspiring students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds as they get into college, graduate, and launch meaningful careers. For over two decades, Bottom Line has provided consistent, one-on-one support to help students navigate the challenges of accessing and succeeding in college.

Today, we proudly serve over 7,000 students through our three core programs—College Access, College Success, and Bluprint—across regional offices in Massachusetts, New York City, Chicago, Ohio, Detroit, and soon, Houston. Our vision is to create a far-reaching ripple effect, launched by the transformative power of a college degree and a mobilizing first career, that uplifts individuals, families, and entire communities.

When you join Bottom Line, you will become a part of a team that combines passion with expertise to advance equity and opportunity for degree-aspiring students. In our dynamic, results-driven environment, your contributions will help shape brighter futures and stronger communities.

The Director of Development & External Affairs will lead Bottom Line Ohio's fundraising strategy and support external affairs work that advances the region's goals. In partnership with the Executive Director, you will strengthen and diversify philanthropic support, help shape and implement the local external affairs strategy, and ensure Bottom Line Ohio maintains strong funding, brand recognition and market positioning.

As a frontline fundraiser, you will manage a diverse portfolio of donors and prospects with the aim to continue growing revenue across the region. You will support the Executive Director with top-tier donors and partner with key connectors, including the Regional Advisory Board, to deepen relationships, expand Bottom Line's network, and strengthen visibility. You will also manage one direct report who supports operations and grant writing and work closely with the national Development Operations team.

The ideal candidate brings strong relationship instincts, comfort and skill in managing a fundraising pipeline, and the energy and drive to grow the donor base and expand the set of champions for Bottom Line in Ohio. You will bring a strategic, growth-oriented mindset, be able to refine strategy based on data and results and be a skilled communicator and storyteller.

Fundraising & External Affairs Strategy and Planning

• Partner with the Executive Director to develop and implement a fundraising and external affairs strategy that grows revenue, diversifies funding, and strengthens Bottom Line Ohio's market position.
• Set annual fundraising and external affairs priorities, targets, and plans across revenue, community engagement, and market visibility.
• Help ensure Bottom Line Ohio maintains strong brand recognition and market visibility in support of local priorities.
• Manage the path and progress toward fundraising goals using provided data and reporting tools to inform strategy and drive continuous improvement.
• Conduct prospect research and identify new funding opportunities to build and expand the donor base.
• Leverage Bottom Line's signature major gifts program DEAL-Makers to build a local community of individual donors at the $5,000+ level.

Donor & Portfolio Management

• Spend significant time cultivating prospective major donors (5,000+) to grow the region's philanthropic support.
• Identify, engage, solicit and steward a portfolio of donors and prospects.
• Partner with and support the Executive Director in managing top-tier donor relationships and strategies.
• Create and manage a donor experience calendar of events, communications, and engagement opportunities for the Ohio portfolio.
• Represent Bottom Line at relevant events and engage in public issues that help increase visibility around Bottom Line's mission.
• Partner with the central grants team on strategy and execution of grants, including providing regional context, drafting assigned grants, and supporting review of submissions.
• Use Salesforce to manage the donor pipeline,…