Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement

Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement

Job Title: Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement

Status: Regular, Full Time

Reports To: Executive Director

Compensation: $90,000 -$120,000 DOE

Department: Philanthropy/Development

Classification: Exempt

Home Office: Seattle/Hybrid: Required in the office 3 days a week & 2 days remote.

Office hours: 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m. Relationship-building is central to this role; occasional evening and weekend participation in fundraising events, donor gatherings, board activities, and community events is required.

ABOUT THE MOCKINGBIRD SOCIETY

The Mockingbird Society (TMS) is a non-partisan advocacy organization focused on transforming foster care and ending youth homelessness. We do this by creating, supporting, and advocating for racially equitable, healthy environments that develop youth and young adults at risk of or experiencing foster care or homelessness.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement leads The Mockingbird Society's fundraising strategy, revenue generation, donor and community relationships, sponsorships, board engagement, and philanthropic growth. As Mockingbird's lead fundraiser and ambassador, this role builds authentic partnerships that advance youth-led systems change.

As a member of the Leadership Team, the Director works closely with the Executive Director, Communications Director, Board of Directors, program leaders, and youth and young adults to build meaningful relationships that strengthen support for Mockingbird's mission. Together, they help tell the story of Mockingbird's impact, deepen connections with supporters and community partners, and create opportunities for people to meaningfully invest in systems change for young people.

Grounded in Community-Centric Fundraising principles, the Director cultivates a culture where philanthropy is rooted in relationships, shared values, and collective responsibility. The role ensures fundraising, donor engagement, storytelling, and community events are ethical, youth-centered, and aligned with Mockingbird's commitment to racial equity and meaningful youth leadership.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

You are a relationship-builder who believes philanthropy is rooted in community, trust, and shared responsibility. You enjoy connecting people to a meaningful mission and creating opportunities for supporters, partners, and community members to invest in lasting change for young people.

You bring a balance of strategy and heart to your work. You are collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working across teams while building authentic relationships with donors, board members, youth, and community partners. You are committed to racial equity, youth leadership, and community-centered approaches to fundraising and engagement.

Most importantly, you lead with authenticity, curiosity, humility, and a sense of humor. You take the mission seriously while helping create a workplace where people feel connected, supported, and inspired.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Philanthropy Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Develop and implement annual and multi-year fundraising strategies, goals, key performance indicators, and department priorities that grow and diversify revenue while regularly evaluating progress and adapting strategies to maximize impact.
• Lead fundraising across individual giving, major gifts, sponsorships, campaigns, community partnerships, and institutional philanthropy.
• Build and steward relationships with donors, sponsors, funders, and community partners.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to advance fundraising engagement and philanthropic leadership.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Board Philanthropy Committee.
• Monitor fundraising performance and revenue goals to support long-term sustainability.

Community Engagement & Relationship Building

• Build authentic relationships with supporters, community members, partners, and volunteers to strengthen connection to Mockingbird's mission.
• Advance Community-Centric Fundraising principles that emphasize reciprocity, equity, transparency, and shared responsibility.
• Partner with youth and young adults to inform fundraising strategy, donor engagement, events, and storytelling.
• Collaborate with the Communications Director to align fundraising priorities, donor engagement, storytelling, and community-building efforts.
• Ensure engagement practices are ethical, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and non-extractive.
• Create opportunities for supporters to learn, connect, and invest in systems change for young people.

Leadership, Operations & Team Development

• Provide strategic leadership for philanthropy operations, fundraising systems, donor stewardship practices, and revenue forecasting.
• Monitor fundraising performance, revenue goals, and key metrics to support data-informed decision-making and long-term sustainability.
• Partner with the Grants & Impact Manager to ensure accurate tracking and reporting of gifts, grants, sponsorships, donor engagement activities, and fundraising outcomes.
• Provide strategic oversight of institutional fundraising priorities and cultivate relationships with key foundation, corporate, and philanthropic partners.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing philanthropy team, including direct supervision of the Grants & Impact Manager and other philanthropy staff, consultants, interns, and volunteers.
• Serve as a member of the Leadership Team and contribute to organizational planning, culture-building, and strategic initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, equitable, accountable, and mission-driven team culture.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, philanthropy, community engagement, resource development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success securing and growing philanthropic revenue through one or more fundraising strategies.
• Experience building authentic relationships with donors, funders, community partners, volunteers, or other stakeholders.
• Experience leading, supervising, coaching, or supporting staff, volunteers, interns, or project teams.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, strategic planning, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, social justice, youth leadership, and community-centered approaches to fundraising and engagement.

Preferred

• Experience working with Boards of Directors, fundraising committees, or volunteer leadership groups.
• Experience planning fundraising events, sponsorship programs, or donor engagement initiatives.
• Experience using donor databases, CRM systems, or fundraising technology platforms.
• CFRE certification, advanced degree, or other relevant fundraising credential.
• Experience with Community-Centric Fundraising or other equity-centered fundraising practices.
• Experience in youth-serving, advocacy, or social justice organizations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to occasionally lift and transport materials weighing up to 50 pounds in support of events, meetings, and organizational activities.
• Upon hire, must be able to successfully complete a Washington State and national criminal background check.
• Access to reliable transportation, a valid WA state driver's license, and adequate insurance
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment, including regular attendance at the Seattle office and participation in in-person meetings and events.
• Commitment to advancing racial equity, belonging, anti-oppression, and youth-adult partnership practices in all aspects of work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, virtual meeting platforms, and project management or collaboration tools and comfort learning and utilizing emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence tools while adhering to principles of responsible, ethical, and secure use.
• Other duties as assigned.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $90,000–$120,000 annually. Final compensation will be determined based on relevant experience and qualifications. In addition, The Mockingbird Society offers:

• Generous medical, dental and vision insurance plans
• Two (2) weeks of paid vacation during the first year of employment, with vacation accrual increasing based on years of service through year five
• Two (2) weeks of paid sick leave annually
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year
• Two (2) floating holidays annually for full-time employees
• Paid office closure between Christmas and New Year's Day
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match with a 4% employer match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible hybrid work environment
• Professional development opportunities

EMPLOYMENT POLICY

The Mockingbird Society is an Equal Opportunity employer. Employment is based upon individual qualifications without regard to race