Director of Development

Benefits:

• Mileage reimbursement
• Phone & Internet Stipend
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Created by two Black women, ELSO, Inc. is a community-rooted organization advancing liberatory, justice-centered learning through science, nature, and design. We create experiences that affirm the whole selves of Black and Brown youth—centering joy, belonging, cultural knowledge, and environmental and social responsibility. Our work cultivates science learners and future innovators while challenging systems that have historically excluded Black and Brown communities from natural, scientific, and built environments.

ELSO's programs and partnerships are grounded in environmental, racial, and social justice, and in the belief that young people thrive when they see themselves reflected in what they learn, where they learn, and who leads. As we approach our 10-year anniversary, ELSO is strengthening its institutional infrastructure to support long-term sustainability, community accountability, and national impact.

ELSO is seeking a mission-driven Director of Development to join the organization at a pivotal stage of growth. This senior leadership role is responsible for advancing ELSO's fundraising strategy during a critical period that includes a multi-year capital campaign, ELSO's 10-Year Anniversary Jubilee, and deeper engagement with the National Advisory Council.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this position serves as a strategic partner to Executive Leadership and holds primary accountability for achieving annual and long-term fundraising and fund development goals. The Director of Development leads ELSO's fundraising strategy, manages key donor relationships, and cultivates a strong culture of philanthropy across staff, board, and community.

In addition, this role carries an Oregon Site Director designation, providing on-the-ground leadership for ELSO's Portland-based team. The Site Director ensures consistency, professionalism, and alignment with organizational values when Executive Leadership is not physically present, without altering existing programmatic or operational reporting structures.

• Responsible for oversight of Philanthropy & Engagement department including the communications strategy and plan, and fund development strategy and fundraising plan
• Lead the development and execution of ELSO's annual and long-term fundraising strategy in partnership with the Executive Director
• Play a central leadership role in planning and advancing ELSO's capital campaign
• Hold primary accountability for meeting or exceeding annual fundraising goals across individual, corporate, campaign, and event-based giving
• Provide clear reporting, analysis, and forecasting to Executive Leadership and Board leadership
• Partner with the Executive Director and National Advisory Council on donor strategy, prospect preparation, and stewardship
• Guide fundraising priorities to align with organizational strategy and programmatic needs
• Lead national foundation relations and responsible for the grants management system and working with grant writers

• Build, manage, and grow a diverse portfolio of individual donors and prospects
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of high-impact individual donors
• Support Executive Director and Board members in donor cultivation and solicitation

• Develop and steward corporate partnerships, sponsor ships, and employee giving opportunities
• Identify and grow relationships with Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
• Collaborate with internal teams to align sponsor ships with programmatic and community goals

• Lead and manage ELSO's annual fundraising campaigns, including end-of-year and spring campaigns
• Provide strategic leadership for fundraising components of major events, including the 10-Year Anniversary Jubilee, We’re Joyful Rooftop Social, and smaller donor cultivation events
• Partner with the Storytelling & Communications Manager to align messaging, timing, and donor engagement…