Director of Development

Director Of Development

PowerLines is a national nonprofit organization that aims to modernize the utility regulatory system for American energy consumers to lower utility bills and grow the economy. It focuses on state public utilities commissions (PUCs), which play a critical role in determining how much people pay for utility bills, how utilities invest in different types of energy, and where new energy projects are built. These 200 commissioners oversee more than $200 billion in utility spending each year and have significant influence over the future of our energy system.

Utility affordability is quickly becoming one of the most pressing economic challenges facing American consumers. In 2025, utilities requested a record-setting $31 billion in rate increases, double the previous record, while 80 million Americans are struggling to pay their utility bills. Meanwhile, the U.S. grid is experiencing the fastest rise in electricity demand in decades with the growth of AI data centers and manufacturing. Policymakers across the political spectrum are increasingly focused on how regulatory systems can respond to these pressures while protecting consumers and supporting economic growth.

Recognized on the 2025 "TIME100 Next" list, PowerLines is rapidly becoming a go-to source and leader in informing the national discussion of this issue and has already shaped the conversation in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Politico, Bloomberg, CBS News, NPR, Marketplace, Financial Times, TIME, Vox, The Daily Mail, and MIT Technology Review. PowerLines is quickly establishing credibility as a nonpartisan expert on utility regulatory and energy affordability issues while reaching a bipartisan set of policymakers, including initial partnerships with the National Governors Association and Western Governors Association.

PowerLines is in a period of significant organizational growth and seeks a full-time Director of Development, the first full-time fundraising professional at the organization, to build and lead a major donor fundraising program capable of scaling to more than $5-10 million in annual philanthropic support. This role will build the organization's development strategy from the ground up and serve as a strategic partner to the Founder and Executive Director in expanding PowerLines' philanthropic base. The Director of Development will lead strategy and execution for major philanthropic support, with a focus on major gifts, family foundations, family offices, donor advised funds (DAFs), and high-net-worth (HNW) individuals. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced fundraiser to shape the financial foundation of a rapidly growing organization working on one of the most important economic issues facing American households. This role will serve as a force multiplier that enables PowerLines to expand its programs, shape policy, and improve energy affordability for consumers. Note: If you are not in a position to pursue a full-time development role, PowerLines is also hiring a part-time Philanthropic Advisor.

PowerLines is headquartered in Washington, DC. The Director of Development is a remote position, with travel of up to 30% expected. The Development Director will work closely with and report directly to the Founder and Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and Lead PowerLines' Fundraising Strategy
• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy focused on family foundations, family offices, donor advised funds, and high-net-worth/ultra-high-net-worth individuals
• Collaborate with executive leadership to integrate fundraising goals with organizational planning and budgeting
• Maintain relationships with institutional funders for PowerLines
• Lead Generation and Prospect Cultivation
• Identify and research new potential donors with capacity and affinity to support PowerLines
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective donors through thoughtful cultivation plans
• Research and vet new prospective donors that are identified through PowerLines' participation in conferences and events
• Support Founder and Executive Director in funder meetings, pitches, and other fundraising opportunities, including development of briefing materials, as needed
• Convert PowerLines' policy and media wins into actionable fundraising opportunities
• Lead planning and execution of PowerLines dinners, small gatherings, and other events to support fundraising
• Attend conferences and events with the objective of meeting new prospective donors
• Donor Stewardship and Relationship Management
• Manage stewardship and renewal of existing foundation, family office, and individual donor support, ensuring timely and meaningful engagement
• Make direct asks for potential funder contributions
• Build authentic, long-term relationships with funders through regular communication, thank-you notes, follow-ups, events, and personalized outreach
• Oversee development-related communications including donor updates, briefings, memos, newsletters, and impact reports
• Develop databases, CRM, and processes to ensure efficient and accurate tracking of donor relationships
• Proposal and Pitch Development
• Lead development of grant proposals for family foundations, family offices, donor-advised funds, and high-net worth individuals in collaboration with Founder and Executive Director
• Oversee grant lifecycle after initial development, tracking reporting requirements, amendments, and renewals as needed
• Collaborate with other PowerLines team members to prepare compelling materials—presentations, concept papers, proposals, budgets, and reports—that reflect PowerLines' mission and strategic priorities
• Development Infrastructure and Team Building
• Design and implement systems that can scale as the development team grows
• Support onboarding and mentoring of additional fundraising staff as hired