Development Director

This new leadership role is accountable for growing and building upon the Friends of Willamette Week’s philanthropic revenue, the relationships that support it, and the internal relationships that make it work. The Development Director will oversee all fundraising campaigns, activities, and strategy with the goal of building a diversified and resilient revenue base that sustains WW ’s independent local journalism. The role also manages a part-time Development Coordinator who keeps FOWW's engine running. WW reaches hundreds of thousands of Portlanders each month, and we have an extraordinary foundation to build from: a trusted brand, a loyal audience, and a team producing meaningful watchdog journalism. Our donors care deeply about Portland — its neighborhoods, issues, civic life, culture — and are natural partners for WW ’s mission. An understanding of the region and the ability to translate our journalism into a compelling case for support will be central to the Development Director’s success. FOWW is already a substantial part of WW 's revenue mix, and we've only scratched the surface. With the right person at the helm, reader support could grow by leaps and bounds. The full FOWW team includes the Executive Director, WW’s Publisher, and WW ’s co-owners who help with policy and major gifts. If you’re excited to grow an ambitious program alongside a talented team of smart, creative, mission-driven people, we’d love to hear from you. Note : WW is locally owned and independent. We are not a nonprofit and do not have a board of directors. We have a fiscal sponsorship established that allows our donors to give tax-deductible contributions. At the same time, FOWW in many ways operates like a nonprofit and follows the AFP’s Code of Ethical Standards. Responsibilities Strategy & Revenue Leadership Set fundraising strategy and annual goals in partnership with the FOWW team. Plan and lead FOWW's fundraising campaigns, including in Give!Guide. Monitor revenue and analytics, and report progress to WW leadership. Meet or exceed annual revenue goals. Major Gifts & Grants Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, from cultivation through solicitation and stewardship. Lead grant fundraising — from prospecting through proposals, reporting, and compliance. Partner with WW leadership on joint donor strategy, visits, and solicitations. Donor Relationships Build authentic, long-term donor relationships grounded in WW ’s mission and journalism. Collaborate with editorial leadership to connect donors with relevant coverage, while maintaining strict editorial independence. Contribute to long-term program growth, including planned giving down the road. Team & Organizational Representation Manage the Development Coordinator, setting priorities and delegating work while maintaining oversight. Represent WW at development events and stay closely connected to WW's editorial priorities to identify funding opportunities. Partner with WW’s creative team on promotional strategy on items like merch and member benefits. Qualifications We're looking for someone with a track record of executing successful fundraising campaigns, securing major gifts, and writing winning grant proposals. The best candidate is familiar with Oregon's foundation and journalism funding landscape. You've solicited major gifts and cultivated corporate support, and you're comfortable working in a CRM to track and report on your work. You're a natural partner who raises the bar and brings the best out of your colleagues. You communicate clearly and well. A bachelor's degree is preferred. Fundraising experience is a must. In short, you’re a relationship-builder who sees philanthropy as partnership and is comfortable making asks. You're organized and dependable, motivated by mission and long-term impact rather than short-term wins, and just as comfortable delegating as you are rolling up your sleeves. You bring curiosity, empathy, and a calm presence under pressure, along with a real commitment to public service. We want a teammate who helps us level up and taps our potential. Location: Hybrid (Slabtown neighborhood), with occasional offsite meetings Type : Full-time, with some flexibility and rare evenings/weekends Salary : $70,000 - $80,000 #J-18808-Ljbffr