Digital NEST: Vice President (VP) of Development
Digital NEST is seeking a Vice President (VP) of Development to spearhead its fundraising initiatives as the organization embarks on a new growth phase. This role is perfect for an experienced fundraising leader who enjoys creating structured systems and driving results. The VP will develop and execute innovative fundraising strategies aligned with the organization’s mission and actively cultivate donor relationships, manage solicitations, and oversee development operations. As a key member of the Executive Team, the VP of Development will be instrumental in establishing a sustainable fundraising program to ensure Digital NEST’s long-term success and impact.
About Digital NEST:
Digital NEST is an innovative workforce development center that has welcomed thousands of youth from working-class, farmworker communities to develop the technical and professional skills they need to achieve their dreams. It is an exciting time for the NEST. We are focused on growth and expansion to five communities across the Monterey Bay (MBR) and San Joaquin Valley (SJVR) Regions in Northern California. Digital NEST has Centers in the heart of Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto, and Stockton.
Responsibilities
Strategic Fundraising Leadership (35%):
Design and execute a multi-year, multi-million dollar development strategy aligned with Digital NEST’s growth goals.
Design, launch, and scale a comprehensive individual giving program to build a sustainable grassroots donor base
Develop and lead a high-performing development team.
Mentor and coach development staff to foster a culture of fundraising excellence.
In close collaboration with the Principal Research Scientist, support proposal development, grant management, pipeline building, reporting, and data systems.
Develop and implement a process and set of criteria for evaluating the pursuit of funding opportunities.
Build and strengthen development systems, processes, and workflows that support sustainable fundraising growth.
Establish fundraising performance metrics, reporting dashboards, and pipeline management practices to improve accountability and forecasting.
Optimize development operations and donor management systems, including Salesforce, to improve efficiency and decision-making.
Donor & Partner Engagement (35%):
Manage a portfolio of major donors, prospects, corporate partners, and institutional funders through cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and ongoing relationship management.
Build a reliable pipeline that transitions mid-level individual donors into major gift prospects.
Partner with the CEO, Development team, Executive team, and Board of Directors to develop philanthropic networks, co-lead donor strategy, and expand giving at all levels.
Partner with the CEO in coaching and guiding the Board of Directors; helping to set policies and practices for Board Members involved in fundraising, overseeing the involvement, identification, training, and support of Board Members in outreach and solicitation.
Launch and grow new revenue channels, including planned giving, government contracts, and corporate investments.
Development Operations & Infrastructure (15%)
Build and strengthen development systems, processes, and workflows that support sustainable fundraising growth and organizational scalability.
Oversee the effective use of Salesforce and related fundraising technologies to ensure accurate donor data, pipeline management, reporting, and revenue forecasting.
Establish fundraising dashboards, key performance indicators, and reporting practices that support data informed decision making and organizational accountability.
Develop and document development policies, procedures, and best practices to improve efficiency, consistency, and cross-functional collaboration.
Create and maintain systems for donor stewardship, prospect tracking, grant management, gift processing, and fundraising performance measurement.
Partner with Finance and other internal teams to ensure accurate revenue tracking, reporting, reconciliation, and compliance with donor and funder requirements.
Evaluate and implement tools, processes, and operational improvements that enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the development function.
Marketing & Communications Partnership (10%):
Partner closely with the VP of Marketing and Communications to align fundraising, storytelling, and engagement strategies across the organization.
Collaborate on the development and execution of integrated fundraising campaigns, including annual appeals, donor communications, stewardship efforts, and special initiatives.
Provide fundraising insights, donor perspectives, and audience engagement data to inform marketing and communications strategies.
Partner with the Principal Research Scientist to integrate compelling evaluation and research into grant proposals, funder communication, and reports.
Partner on messaging that effectively communicates Digital NEST's impact, funding priorities, and philanthropic opportunities to donors, funders, and community stakeholders.
Support the planning and promotion of fundraising events, donor engagement opportunities, and public-facing campaigns that strengthen awareness and philanthropic support for Digital NEST.
Ensure fundraising priorities and donor stewardship efforts are effectively reflected in external communications and engagement strategies.
Organizational Growth & Collaboration (5%):
Participate in strategic planning, priority-setting, and organizational decision-making as a core member of the Executive Team.
Ensure fundraising strategy is aligned with community needs, mission outcomes, and long-term sustainability.
Serve as a public voice for the NEST at key events, conferences, and funder meetings.
Ensure Digital NEST's development work is inclusive and responsive to the needs of local communities and populations we seek to impact.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience, or at least 15 years of progressive fundraising and development experience with a demonstrated track record of securing significant philanthropic investments.
At least 7 years of leadership experience overseeing development functions, fundraising teams, or organizational revenue growth strategies.
Demonstrated success developing and implementing fundraising strategies that have resulted in measurable revenue growth.
Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors, foundations, corporations, and institutional funders.
Experience managing donor pipelines, fundraising forecasts, and development performance metrics.
Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices, donor stewardship, moves management, prospect development, and relationship-based fundraising.
Experience utilizing Salesforce or similar donor management and CRM platforms to support fundraising operations, reporting, and decision making.
Experience developing and improving fundraising systems, processes, and operational infrastructure.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with donors, board members, staff, and community stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across departments and build strong relationships with internal and external partners.
Ability to travel regularly throughout Digital NEST's service regions and attend occasional evening and weekend events as needed.
PREFERRED-BUT-NOT-REQUIRED:
Experience working in youth development, workforce development, education, nonprofit, or community-based organizations.
Experience leading fundraising efforts during periods of organizational growth, transformation, or expansion.
Experience building or rebuilding fundraising infrastructure within a growing organization.
Experience partnering closely with executive leaders and boards of directors on fundraising strategy and donor engagement.
Experience managing multimillion-dollar fundraising portfolios and annual revenue goals.
Knowledge of planned giving, government funding opportunities, corporate partnerships, and diversified revenue strategies.
REQUIREMENTS:
Passion for the mission of Digital NEST and belief in upholding organization’s core values.
Understanding of and sensitivity to issues of culture/ethnicity/race, gender, sexual identity, class/socioeconomic status and immigration status.
Ability to be an ally to people of color, women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex individuals and their allies (LGBTQIA).
Participate in NEST evening and weekend programs and events on an occasional basis; facilitate youth involvement in these programs and events.
Candidates must be able to travel and work evenings or weekends occasionally, or as needed.
Compensation
$140,000-$155,000 annual salary
We take a holistic approach to wellness, physical, emotional, and financial. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
100% Agency Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance for the employee
Paid Parental Leave
SIMPLE IRA Retirement Benefit with up to 3% employer match
Accrual of up to 15 Paid Vacation Days for Full-time Employees
13 Paid Holidays Annually Plus Business closure/holiday the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Paid Sick Time Off Accrual
Annual Parking Permit
Professional Development
Flexible Work Schedule
To Apply
To apply, click here.