Development Director at Middle East Children's Alliance, Inc. – Berkeley, California

MECA Development Director

Location: Berkeley, CA
Salary Range: $90,000 – $100,000 annually
Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Full-time, Exempt

About MECA

The Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) is a nonprofit organization working for the rights and well-being of children in Palestine and the Middle East. Since 1988, MECA has delivered more than $42 million in humanitarian aid—including food, medical supplies, water purification systems, and educational support—to children and families in Palestine, Iraq, and Lebanon. We partner with grassroots organizations and community-led initiatives to advance social justice, dignity, and human rights.
We are a mission-driven, collaborative workplace committed to equity, anti-oppression values, and meaningful solidarity with Palestinian communities.
Position Overview

The Development Director leads MECA’s fundraising strategy and oversees the implementation of all development activities, including institutional grants, individual giving, major donor cultivation, and fundraising events. This position manages the fundraising team and supports the work of the Fundraising Committee. The Development Director ensures strong systems for communication, donor stewardship, and accurate data/reporting to support MECA’s growth and sustainability. The right candidate is passionate about the organization's mission and solidarity work with Palestine.
Key Responsibilities

Development Planning

• Create and implement an annual fundraising plan with quarterly expense and revenue projections.
• Supervise the Fundraising Associate and mentor a growing development team.
• Lead weekly Fundraising Committee meetings and prepare monthly development plans and progress reports.
• Provide regular fundraising reports and analysis to leadership and the Fundraising team.

Institutional Funders

• Lead the preparation and submission of grant proposals and reports for foundation and organizational funders with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Manage grant calendars and deadlines to ensure timely, accurate submissions and reports.
• Serve as lead manager for donor communications.
• Conduct prospect research for new funders

Major Donor Program

• Create and maintain donor profiles in the database, track giving history, set retention goals, and generate reports for fundraising meetings.
• Support annual appeals, donor renewals, recognition, and fundraising campaigns.
• Work with fundraising committee to develop strategies to engage, retain, and expand the donor base.
• Coordinate with leadership team on major donor communications
• Manage, coach, and mentor a growing development team
• Make plans for in-person and virtual events with major donors

Individual Donor Program

• Oversee donor communications, including newsletters, annual reports, and stewardship updates.
• Coordinate online and mail appeals, ensuring an integrated donor engagement strategy.
• Provide guidance and support for database upkeep and donor record accuracy.

Events & Fundraising Campaigns

• Participate in planning MECA’s annual fundraising events, including revenue goals, donor participation strategies, and donor communication.

Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a senior fundraising or Development Director role.
• Demonstrated success managing institutional giving and major donor programs.
• Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional teams.
• Strong writing, communication, and donor stewardship skills.
• Proficiency with donor database systems and fundraising analytics.

Preferred:

• Arabic language skills.
• Familiarity with Palestinian issues and/or international human rights work.
• Experience in grassroots nonprofit or movement-oriented fundraising.

Compensation & Benefits

MECA offers competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package (including full medical/dental/vision), paid holidays, generous PTO, and a collaborative team culture committed to growth and learning.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

MECA is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, and people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and candidates from historically marginalized communities to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected status.