The Guardsmen
Director of Development San Francisco, CA
Hybrid
Salary 130-150K

Our Mission Statement: The Guardsmen, established in 1947, is an all-volunteer San Francisco service organization whose mission is devoted to advancing at-risk Bay Area youth by funding indoor and outdoor education programs. We strive to assist those who want to attain the skills necessary to be productive members of society. The Guardsmen serve disadvantaged Bay Area youth through a number of educational programs and social service agencies. While our membership is all-volunteers, the group employs paid staff who work from our office located in the Presidio, San Francisco.

Scope and Purpose: The Director of Development (DOD) ultimately reports directly to the President of The Guardsmen and Human Resources Committee. The DOD shall report to the Office Manager for day-to-day work functions, such as scheduling and vacation time. As to development and related efforts, the DOD will work directly with the Strategic Fundraising Committee, the Committee Chairs, Board, Treasurer and the Seniors Committee (as it relates to fundraising for the Endowment Fund). The DOD’s primary responsibility is to secure outright annual grants and to develop The Guardsmen non-event fundraising efforts. The DOD will also provide additional support to The Guardsmen office as needed and will assist special events in the collecting and reporting of all cash and in-kind revenue.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Fundraising and New Revenue Development:

• Create fundraising strategies and stewardship for donors and sponsors
• Identify new potential grant opportunities for The Guardsmen
• Use The Guardsmen’s volunteer network to identify warm connections to potential grant opportunities
• Initiate contact with potential donors and determine grant eligibility requirements
• Submit formal grant applications and track progress
• Manage direct mail and email appeals throughout the year to increase revenue for the Endowment Funds and for General/Program Support
• Meet with new donors to build relationships and provide any presentation materials, as needed

2. Relationship Management:

• Track grant application progress and follow up on both successful and unsuccessful applications
• Identify and fulfill reporting requirements for successful grants
• Develop and implement a relationship management strategy to cultivate and maintain key donor relationships
• Develop and implement a strategy for recognizing institutional grants as well as gifts from Individual Major Donors throughout the year
• Produce an Annual Report each year to inform and engage current donors on the impact of their support
• Work with the Seniors Committee to ensure that The Guardsmen’s largest group of individual donors feel appreciated and recognized for their continued contributions

3. Operational Objectives:

• Utilize The Raiser’s Edge NXT to help track and assign tasks related to Relationship Management with Guardsmen solicitors
• Set and run monthly meetings for Strategic Fundraising Committee and use members to help strategize and solicit throughout the year
• Work with Director of Programs to improve the gathering of program-related qualitative and quantitative data to build The Guardsmen’s case for support
• Work with co-chairs of special events to build efficiency around the collection of all cash and in-kind revenue in order to build donor retention
• Work with Finance Committee to evaluate The Guardsmen’s current financial state, to strategize for long-term financial goals and to create and implement policies and procedures
• Support and lead the annual report production.

4. Events Management

• Support and guide event planning and execution throughout the year in collaboration with the internal team and with the Guardsmen event committee chairs acting as lead on events
• Assist with transitions during the change of the Guardsmen
• Collaborate with various working board event committees
• Ensure compliance by managing paperwork and permits for all events
• Oversee and follow up on ticket sales and sponsorships, in-kind donations, and donor acknowledgements
• Track event funding, including pledges, and provide reporting for accounting
• Attend and manage check-in at member events, may include some evenings and weekends

5. Office Support

• Support the functions of The Guardsmen office and promote the day-to-day work of the organization
• Enter all cash and in-kind revenue in The Raiser’s Edge/NXT and reconcile revenue with Controller to ensure correct Profit and Loss statements

• Compose and send all tax receipts for every cash and in-kind donation to donors
• Work with Auditors on an annual basis by pulling donor reports and backup materials for any audit tests related to charitable revenue

6. Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Nonprofit Management, Business, Communications, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in development, fundraising, or nonprofit management, with a proven track record in securing grants and managing donor relationships.
• Experience with major gift solicitation, grant writing, and donor cultivation.
• Familiarity with nonprofit financial management, including budgeting, profit/loss statements, and audit preparation.
• Proficiency in using CRM systems, specifically Raiser’s Edge NXT, for donor tracking and relationship management.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling grant applications and donor materials.
• Proven ability to develop and implement fundraising strategies, particularly around non-event revenue generation.
• Expertise in relationship management, with the ability to cultivate and maintain donor relationships, including corporate, foundation, and individual donors.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proactive problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with volunteers, committees, and senior leadership.
• Knowledge of best practices in nonprofit development and familiarity with industry trends and donor recognition practices.
• Strong project management and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Event management and event fundraising experience
• Volunteer management experience

Personal Qualities:

• Passion for advancing at-risk youth and supporting The Guardsmen’s mission.
• Ability to work in a hybrid office setting and demonstrate flexibility in supporting both operational and strategic development functions.
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset, with experience working alongside volunteer boards or committees.

Additional Qualifications:

• Familiarity with the Bay Area philanthropic community is highly desirable.
• Ability to attend some evening and weekend events, as needed.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range is 130-150K and is based on experience. The Guardsmen provides health benefits including medical and dental opportunities as well as a retirement plan option. The Guardsmen has free parking at the Presidio Office.

To Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter with the subject heading: “THE GUARDSMEN” to Stacy Nelson & Associates at [email protected] or apply via LinkedIn.

The Guardsmen employ staff without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sex, national origin or ancestry, medical conditions including genetic characteristics, marital status, registered domestic partner status, or sexual orientation.