Development Director in Oakland, California at The Crucible

The Crucible seeks an experienced, strategic, and hands-on Development Director to lead and grow a comprehensive fundraising program that supports one of the nation’s most distinctive nonprofit arts organizations. This is an exciting opportunity for a relationship-driven fundraiser to help shape the next chapter of The Crucible’s growth by deepening donor engagement, strengthening development systems, and expanding philanthropic support for youth programs, scholarships, community access, and creative learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement The Crucible’s annual fundraising strategy.
• Grow and diversify revenue across individual giving, major gifts, foundations, corporations, and sponsorships.
• Set clear goals and accountability measures for donor acquisition, retention, pipeline growth, and stewardship.
• Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of individual donors and high-capacity prospects.
• Develop tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Prepare donor briefs, proposals, talking points, acknowledgements, and follow-up materials.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board on donor strategy, meetings, asks, and stewardship.
• Oversee institutional and corporate fundraising strategy in coordination with Grant Manager.
• Develop compelling sponsorship packages, proposals, updates, and reports.
• Expand relationships with Bay Area businesses, family foundations, and mission-aligned funders.
• Support the Executive Director and Board in strengthening fundraising engagement and ambassadorial outreach.
• Prepare development reports, dashboards, prospect updates, and meeting materials.
• Represent The Crucible professionally with donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Oversee CRM use, pipeline tracking, forecasting, and reporting.
• Work closely with Finance and Operations on gift tracking, reconciliation, and reporting accuracy.
• Improve systems and processes that strengthen accountability, efficiency, and conversion.
• Participation as a team member in Crucible events that recognize current donors and identify new donor prospects.
• Supervise development staff, contractors, consultants, interns, and volunteers as assigned.
• Foster a collaborative, donor-centered, and high-accountability culture.
• Work cross-functionally with programs, communications, finance, and operations to support strong donor engagement.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• At least 5 years of progressive fundraising or development experience, with strong experience in major gifts and donor cultivation.
• Demonstrated success securing and growing revenue from individuals, institutions, corporations, or a combination of these sources.
• Excellent writing, communication, project management, and organizational skills.
• Experience with CRM systems, donor pipeline management, and fundraising reporting.

Physical Requirements

This position is primarily located in an office and warehouse environment. Able to perform the following duties with or without accommodation:

• Stand, sit, kneel, walk, bend, and perform repetitive motions for the duration of an eight (8) hour shift.
• Able to operate standard office equipment including computers, keyboard, phones, POS machines, and printers.
• Traverse safely throughout the entirety of the facility including climbing stairs.
• Safely lift, move, and transport items weighing up to 20 lbs.
• Communicate in a clear speaking voice in person, over the phone and during video conferences.