Director of Advancement

Job Description

Job Description

***Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. and not require visa sponsorship***

Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) seeks a dynamic and mission-driven Director of Advancement to lead and integrate philanthropy, marketing and communications, and community programming under a unified advancement strategy. This position reports directly to the CEO and is responsible for aligning business strategy and revenue growth with community impact, overseeing external-facing programs, and ensuring that all advancement activities strengthen ACLT's mission to preserve and develop Black community ownership in Greater Seattle.

The Director of Advancement partners with the real estate development team, strategic partners, and the board of directors to coordinate philanthropy efforts through individual giving, donor events, major gift solicitation, and corporate/foundation/government grant and strategic partnership cultivation. This role also provides direct oversight of programming delivered through the William Grose Center, ensuring all programs are developed and implemented in alignment with revenue growth opportunities and ACLT's strategic goals.

ABOUT US

Africatown Community Land Trust is working for community ownership of land in the Central District to support the cultural and economic thriving of people who are part of the African diaspora in the Greater Seattle area. The ACLT board is comprised of real estate professionals, business executives, entrepreneurs, and long-time community members from the Central District.

MISSION

To acquire, develop, and steward the land in Greater Seattle to empower & preserve the Black Community.

VISION

Vibrant and thriving Black communities through land ownership.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Director of Advancement oversees a combined department that integrates Development, Marketing & Communications, and Community Programs into a single, cohesive unit. By unifying these functions, ACLT aligns its revenue strategy with its community reputation, strengthens its connection to real estate through a shared Community Builder role, and ensures all external-facing programs operate with clarity and purpose.

Successful candidates will be skilled at business strategy, building donor relationships, strategic partnerships and writing grant proposals, leading cross-functional teams, and overseeing community programs that address immediate barriers faced by Black community members. They are entrepreneurial, mission-focused, and committed to making a measurable impact. Due to a recent reorganization, this position will initially be very hands-on as the successful candidate builds out their team.

Typical duties and responsibilities: Fund Development

• Develop and implement ACLT's capital fundraising plan and annual campaign to meet each year's fundraising goals.
• Work with the CEO to facilitate gift solicitations and grant cultivation.
• Work with strategic partners to identify and pursue collaborative fundraising efforts.
• Support the board in their fundraising efforts.
• Write and produce donor solicitations, acknowledgments, and funder reports, as well as create donor communication materials in print and online.
• Engage in relationships with individual donors and develop giving strategies that ensure retention and growth of donor contributions.
• Oversee donor database management and tools to track pledges, gifts, and grant commitments.
• Cultivate relationships with individual donors and current/potential funders to meet annual goals.
• Coordinate logistics for fundraising events utilizing staff and volunteers.
• Participate in planning and attending ACLT functions and activities; ensure a development team member represents ACLT at community events.
• Collaborate with external fundraising professionals.

Leadership & Supervision

• Directly supervise the Advancement department, which includes the Development Manager, Program & Events Manager, and their respective reports (Development Coordinator, Program Coordinator, Community Builder, Media & Marketing Associate, and Grant Writer).
• Ensure employee workplans and performance evaluations are executed in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate ACLT's core and leadership competencies and values.
• Develop and coach team members to achieve successful outcomes and community impact.
• Maintain an entrepreneurial spirit and a collaborative approach to accomplishing deliverables.

Marketing, Communications & Community Presence

• Manage agency marketing and public relations, including updating website and social media periodically with current information and announcements, and responding to media requests.
• Unify all external-facing communications across Development, Marcomm, and Programs for a consistent and compelling community presence.
• Strengthen the connection between the Advancement department and ACLT's real estate efforts through a shared Community Builder role.

Grant Writing

• Gather and synthesize information; draft proposals, reports, and other communications to foundation, corporate, and government funders in support of programs, education, community engagement, and other annual activities.
• Keep the donor database up to date with upcoming applications and reporting deadlines.
• Maintain and update ACLT's library of boilerplate institutional language and standard proposal attachments about core program areas.
• Support Institutional and Corporate Partnerships Directors in drafting attachments for complex, project-based institutional funding requests.
• Align grant narratives and reporting with outcomes generated by the William Grose Center programs to maximize funding opportunities.

Programming – William Grose Center

The Director of Advancement holds supervisory responsibility over the William Grose Center Program Manager and ensures all programming is developed and delivered in alignment with organizational strategy and revenue growth.

• Oversee the strategic direction of William Grose Center programs and initiatives to ensure alignment with ACLT's mission, fundraising goals, and grant commitments.
• Work with the Program Manager to develop programming that creates demonstrable community outcomes and supports compelling funder narratives.
• Ensure program data, outcomes, and impact metrics are captured and integrated into development reports, grant proposals, and donor communications.
• Identify opportunities where programming can generate or support revenue, partnerships, or community investment.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum qualifications:

• Certification or completion certificate in Professional Fundraising, Fundraising Management, or similar; OR five (5) or more years of experience in fundraising, sponsorship solicitation, and/or strategic partnerships with evidence of growing donor giving year-over-year.
• Experience in the direct solicitation of major gifts from individual donors of $5,000+ or equivalent sales experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of racial equity and social justice issues faced by Black communities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with the grant writing process and a demonstrated track record of successfully procuring grants.
• Experience with donor databases and event management software.
• Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize responsibilities effectively.
• Comfort working autonomously and as part of a team; ability to work varied hours including evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Knowledge of and interest in financial markets, wealth management, and other areas that may influence philanthropic giving.
• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Demonstrated ability to meet fundraising goals and deadlines under pressure.
• Experience supervising or managing staff, preferably in a nonprofit or community organization.
• Reliable transportation – some driving may be required.

Desired qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business management, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field.
• Seven (7) or more years of experience in fundraising, sponsorship solicitation, and/or strategic partnerships.
• Experience in the direct solicitation of major gifts from individual donors of $25,000+ or equivalent sales experience.
• Experience overseeing or coordinating community programs or economic mobility initiatives.
• Knowledge of the local and national philanthropic landscape.
• Experience with prospect research tools.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

BENEFITS

• 100% Employer medical, dental, and vision paid coverage
• Generous Vacation (PTO) and Sick Leave
• 11 Paid Holidays and 2 Personal Holidays
• Matching 401(K) Plan up to 4%
• Annual Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) of $1,000
• Flex Spending Account (FSA)
• Employer paid Life and AD&D insurance
• Employer paid Long-term and Short-term Disability insurance
• Professional Development Stipends
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Opportunity to support a great life purpose and make a positive impact in the Seattle community

TO BE CONSIDERED

• Attach a resume detailing related experience.
• Attach a cover letter stating your qualifications for the position and your interest in ACLT.
• Attach a writing sample of a grant proposal (no more than two pages).
• Application material missing cover letters and writing sample will not be considered.

ACLT is an Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, color, national origin, ancestry, familial status, age, disability, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance.

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