Shelterforce Development Director

Shelterforce, the only national publication devoted to affordable housing and community development news, is seeking a Development Director.

About Us.
Shelterforce is a 49-year-old nonprofit news organization centered around the fight for healthy communities. We serve housing justice and community development leaders with content that delves into housing organizing, community planning, and affordable housing development, offering insights into their current state and the potential for positive transformation. We empower the broader public with stories that explore housing justice and community development issues, and how organizers and community developers are addressing them and making positive change. We bring together evidence, reporting, storytelling, and on-the-ground practitioner and organizer experience to build momentum toward the day when every person has a place to call home.

Development Director.

The Development Director at Shelterforce is a critical and transformative role in our expanding organization. As a cornerstone of our strategic growth plan, this position is designed to unlock the untapped potential of our dedicated reader and listener base, significantly boosting our financial resources to advance our mission of housing justice.

Major Responsibilities.

1. Major Donor Program Launch:
   • Develop and implement a comprehensive major donor program to engage high-level supporters and secure significant financial contributions. Immediate opportunity to launch legacy gift programming for upcoming 50th Celebration.
   • Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with prospective major donors to build a robust pipeline of support.
   • Design and execute targeted outreach strategies to expand our network of major donors, ensuring a personalized approach to donor engagement.
2. Individual Giving Expansion:
   • Enhance Shelterforce’s individual giving efforts by creating innovative campaigns that resonate with our audience and inspire increased contributions.
   • Develop and manage fundraising appeals, donor communication plans, and donor recognition programs to increase retention and growth of individual donations.
   • Leverage digital platforms and social media to reach a broader audience and attract new individual donors.
3. Event Sponsorship and Cost Structuring:
   • Integrate cost-structuring and sponsorship opportunities into Shelterforce’s events to optimize revenue generation.
   • Identify and secure corporate and community sponsors for events, building partnerships that align with Shelterforce’s mission and values.
   • Collaborate with the marketing and team to ensure sponsorship packages are attractive, effective, and deliver value to partners.
4. Increase Earned Income:
   • Explore and develop new revenue streams that align with Shelterforce’s mission and strategic objectives.
   • Identify opportunities to monetize  Shelterforce’s content without adding paywall to our primary content, programs, and services in ways that enhance our financial sustainability.
   • Implement strategies to increase subscriptions, advertising, and other forms of earned income.
5. Strategic Financial Growth:
   • Partner with executive leadership to set and achieve an overarching goal of growing Shelterforce’s budget by 35%.
   • Analyze current fundraising activities, identify areas for growth—specifically diversify our foundation and corporate support, and implement strategies to enhance overall revenue.
   • Report regularly on fundraising progress and financial health to the executive team and board of directors.

Critical Factors for Success.
A strong candidate would be a dynamic, strategic thinker with a passion for our cause, who will collaborate closely with executive leadership to achieve ambitious financial targets. This role has the potential to quadruple Shelterforce’s total revenue over the next five years, dramatically enhancing our capacity to support and drive meaningful change.

• Proven experience in development and fundraising, with a track record of success in major gifts, individual giving, and sponsorship.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to set and achieve ambitious financial goals.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with donors, sponsors, and partners.
• Experience in nonprofit development, particularly within organizations focused on social justice, housing, or related causes, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team and to inspire and motivate others.
• Strong analytical and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Ability to travel several times/year for several days to gather with team in person and conference opportunities.
  

Position. 

• Full-time
• Compensation: $60,000-$70,000 annually
• Start Date: December 1, 2024
• Benefits:  Medical, Dental, Vision, Generous time-off policy, paid vacation
• Family-friendly workplace
• Location: Remote within the U.S.
  

To Apply:

Please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your qualifications and vision for this role, and references to [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!