Director of Development

Our Mission

We coach and support students from low socioeconomic backgrounds to prepare for and graduate from college as transformational leaders in order to forge a just and equitable society.

College Success Foundation believes in respecting, upholding, and reflecting diversity and is committed to becoming an anti-racist organization. By leading with equity, and utilizing an anti-racist lens in our work, we center diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. We believe students win when we have a high-performing culture that is committed to eliminating barriers to student achievement. Our passion is fostering educational equity, making college accessible and affordable to underserved students from low-income families.

The Director of Development at College Success Foundation-DC (CSF-DC) plays a crucial role in enhancing the CSF-DC fundraising efforts to support its mission of promoting educational equity and success among underserved communities. This position will lead a comprehensive development program that includes annual giving, major gifts, grants, planned giving, corporate partnerships, special events, and broad-based donor engagement. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director and collaborate with CSF-DC leadership and staff to design and implement inclusive fundraising strategies that align with the organization's values of diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

This role is vital in fostering a culture of philanthropy that emphasizes the importance of supporting diverse communities and ensuring that our fundraising practices are reflective of our commitment to antiracism.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director (Programs & Student Services), CSF President and CEO, the CSF-DC Board of Directors, senior staff, and key volunteer leadership to establish and achieve equitable annual and long-term fundraising goals and strategies.
• Design and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies that significantly increase revenue from individuals, foundations, corporations, government agencies, and other diverse funding sources, prioritizing equity in outreach and engagement.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director in Board relations, including enhancing Board engagement in fundraising efforts and ensuring materials and reports reflect our commitment to inclusivity.
• Lead the development, execution, and evaluation of innovative revenue generation models that align with CSF-DC's programs, ensuring these efforts are equitable and accessible to all communities served.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects, working collaboratively with senior leadership and Board members to secure contributions that reflect a commitment to racial and socio-economic equity.
• Represent CSF-DC to external audiences, including peer organizations, philanthropic partners, and sector convenings, to increase visibility and support for our mission, emphasizing our engagement with historically marginalized communities.
• Oversee the development and management of grant proposals and contracts, ensuring timely compliance with all reporting and stewardship requirements, while maintaining transparency and accountability in our fundraising practices.
• Collaborate with College Success Foundation on national and multisite fundraising strategies, facilitating shared learning and alignment with our mission and values.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for fundraising performance and donor engagement; provide regular updates to leadership and the Board, ensuring an inclusive approach to assessing progress.
• Partner in annual budgeting and planning processes to align fundraising goals and strategies with CSF-DC's programmatic needs and financial sustainability.
• Develop revenue projections and contingency plans to mitigate risks associated with fundraising, addressing historical inequities in funding sources.
• Partner with program and finance teams to translate impact data into compelling fundraising narratives and proposals that resonate with diverse donors.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and…