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DIRECTOR

LOS ANGELES FOOD POLICY COUNCIL

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POSITION SUMMARY

Position: Director of Development

Hours: Full time, exempt

Location: Los Angeles, CA (hybrid remote)

Salary: $110,000- $125,000

Desired Start Date: Mar 15, 2025

ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION

The Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC) is a collective impact initiative, working to make Southern California a Good Food region for everyone—where food is healthy, affordable, fair and sustainable. Through policy creation, cooperative relationships and innovative projects, our goals are to reduce hunger, improve public health, increase equity in our communities, create good jobs, stimulate local economic activity, and foster environmental stewardship.

To help achieve these goals, we are seeking an experienced, motivated individual to join our team as the DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Director of Development will lead all fundraising and resource development efforts to support the mission and strategic goals of LAFPC. With an annual operating budget of $2 million, currently funded primarily through government grants, LAFPC seeks to diversify its funding base by increasing support from individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors. This role will oversee the creation and execution of a comprehensive development plan, support the Executive Director with cultivating and stewarding relationships with funders and donors, and provide strategic leadership to expand LAFPC’s funding base and donor engagement. The Director will work collaboratively with the Executive Director, Executive Committee, and other directors to advance resource development initiatives and ensure alignment with organizational priorities.

LAFPC aims to transition to its own 501(c)(3) status within the next 3-4 years. The Director of Development will play a key role in setting up the foundational infrastructure necessary to support this transition, including establishing sustainable fundraising systems and strategies that promote long-term organizational growth.

The Director will also work closely with the Communications team to ensure public communications, storytelling, and events align with fundraising efforts and amplify LAFPC’s impact. This position supervises the Development and Grants Manager, providing leadership to ensure the effective performance of the development team while fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation across the organization.

Ideal candidates will bring a creative mindset, a deep commitment to social and racial equity, and a passion for relationship building and resource development. Nonprofit management experience and the ability to develop authentic partnerships with diverse community stakeholders are critical for success in this role.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Strategy and Fundraising (50%)

● Develop and execute a comprehensive development strategy that includes fundraising campaigns, grant applications, major gift solicitation, and donor stewardship to meet annual and multi-year funding goals.

● Keeps the Executive Director contemporaneously apprised on status and progress against goals and objectives;

● Oversees and provides regular up‐to‐date development income reports and projections, as well as metrics and critical analysis of the organization’s fundraising efforts

● Oversee all grant management activities to ensure alignment with fundraising goals and organizational priorities, providing strategic direction and supervision to the Development and Grants Manager, who will handle the day-to-day aspects of grant identification, preparation, submission, and reporting.

● Establishes performance measures for development staff, monitors results and evaluates the efficacy of all fundraising programs.

● Cultivate, solicit, and manage relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and community partners to expand LAFPC’s funding base and deepen engagement.

● Partner with the Executive Director and Board members to implement high-level fundraising strategies, such as donor cultivation events, planned giving programs, and major donor engagement initiatives.

● Track and analyze development metrics, providing data-driven insights to adjust strategies and maximize fundraising success. Report progress to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

● Oversee donor recognition, engagement, and stewardship efforts to ensure meaningful relationship management and a culture of gratitude.

Communications and Public Engagement (30%)

● Collaborate with the Communications and Engagement Manager to develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that strengthens LAFPC’s brand, amplifies its mission, and increases visibility across digital, print, and media platforms.

● Lead the production of impactful communication materials, such as the Annual Report, newsletters, press releases, and digital campaigns, to engage a broad and diverse audience.

● Oversee the planning, promotion, and execution of mission-aligned events with support from the communications team—including the Foodscapes series and fundraising events—to drive donor engagement, raise visibility, and foster partnerships and sponsorships.

● Cultivate relationships with media, sponsors, and other key stakeholders to amplify LAFPC’s work and expand its network of support.

● Collaborate with program teams to ensure communications and events align with organizational goals, showcasing the impact of LAFPC’s programs and policy efforts.

Organizational Leadership and Capacity Building (20%)

● Collaborate with the organization’s leadership team to provide strategic direction on resource development, organizational priorities, and long-term growth. Lead efforts to assess fund development opportunities, align annual budgets with strategic goals, and develop sustainable resource development strategies. Work with leadership and the Board to shape and implement 3-5 year strategic plans and ensure financial sustainability.

● Support the transition to LAFPC’s 501(c)(3) status by building the systems, processes, and capacity necessary for long-term financial sustainability.

● Collaborate with the Executive Director and Board of Directors on the development of multi-year strategic goals for resource development and communications.

● Promote a collaborative and inclusive approach to fundraising that engages staff, Board members, and stakeholders in advancing LAFPC’s mission. Ensure that all development and communications efforts reflect the organization’s values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, prioritizing authentic relationship building and equitable resource distribution.

● Provide regular reports on development and communications progress, key metrics, and strategic insights to the Executive Director, Board, and other stakeholders.

● Engage in ongoing professional development to stay informed about best practices and innovations in nonprofit fundraising, communications, and food justice.

SUPERVISION AND COLLABORATION

The Director of Development reports to the Executive Director and directly supervises the Development and Grants Manager. The Director will work in close partnership with the Communications and Engagement Manager to ensure alignment between communications strategies and development goals. Additionally, the Director will collaborate with the Executive Director, program leads, and Board members to advance LAFPC’s development and communications priorities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong strategic and analytical thinking skills with a proven ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies that align with organizational goals. They will have significant experience in nonprofit resource development, including securing major gifts, managing grant processes, cultivating relationships with donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors, and overseeing donor engagement efforts. Leadership experience is essential, including supervising staff, collaborating across teams, and providing strategic direction to align development and communications efforts.

The candidate should excel in project management, balancing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines, and using data-driven insights to inform decision-making. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are critical, with demonstrated success in crafting donor-focused messaging, grant proposals, and public-facing materials. A strong commitment to social and racial equity, as well as a deep understanding of the role of equity in fundraising and relationship building, is essential. Familiarity with food systems, public health, or economic development is highly desirable, along with a passion for advancing LAFPC’s mission.

Required Skills and Experience:

● Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as communications, nonprofit management, public relations, business, or related field.

● 6-8 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, including direct experience with grant writing, major gifts, and donor relations.

● 6-8 years of experience in communications and public relations, including strategy development, media relations, and digital marketing.

● Proven experience managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and working effectively in a fast-paced environment.

● Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to translate complex issues into compelling narratives.

● Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in professional and personal work.

● Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, social media platforms, and communications tools such as Mailchimp, Canva, or Adobe Creative Suite.

Desired Skills and Experience

● 7+ years of experience cultivating and stewarding relationships with foundations, corporate sponsors, and high-net-worth individuals.

● Familiarity with food justice, community development, and/or policy issues in Los Angeles and Southern California.

● Lived experience in communities served by LAFPC programs and initiatives.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

● This position requires regular local travel. As such, the following requirements apply:

o Access to reliable transportation.

o If utilizing a private vehicle, maintain Valid Class C Driver’s license and clean driving record.

● When necessary, working evenings or weekends and occasional overnight travel required.

● The LAFPC team is currently working remotely, however we are exploring potential office spaces and a hybrid work schedule.

BENEFITS

The Los Angeles Food Policy Council—a fiscally-sponsored project of Community Partners—offers paid holidays and vacation; health, dental, and vision insurance; a retirement plan with employer match; and a range of professional development opportunities. LAFPC promotes healthy work-life balance and workplace culture for its staff.

How to Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to jobs@goodfoodla.org.

The subject line should read: Director Development - [CANDIDATE NAME], and the resume should be attached as PDF. The cover letter should discuss relevant experience and describe the applicant's leadership abilities. The writing sample must be relevant to the position such as a fundraising plan. Links to writing samples posted online are permitted.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Los Angeles Food Policy Council is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. As part of this commitment, LAFPC includes certain strategies during the hiring process, such as anonymized application reviews and standardized interview questions, meant to limit implicit and unconscious biases. LAFPC encourages women and gender diverse people, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, immigrants, and anyone with a disability to apply for all of our positions.