Clean Grid Alliance (CGA) is a nonprofit organization whose 60+ members include wind, solar and energy storage developers and manufacturers, non-profit environmental, public interest, and clean energy advocacy organizations, farmer organizations, and other businesses that support renewable energy.
CGA seeks a Senior Development Director to help maximize support for its mission and vision. The Senior Development Director will lead development efforts to support the various programmatic areas at CGA, including MISO/transmission & markets, siting renewables, communications, regulatory/legal, and state policy & advocacy.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Senior Development Director will develop long-term philanthropic relationships with foundations and donors, assist with special events, plan and coordinate strategic steps to reach financial goals, oversee donor communications, and manage development operations.
Responsibilities:
- Lead foundation grant research, writing, reporting, and management of key relationships. This will include research associated with new potential funders, drafting and managing the grant application process, and subsequent reports associated with funded projects and initiatives.
- Assist with CGA special events that require fundraising and/or securing corporate sponsorships.
- Research, cultivate, and maintain relationships with major foundations, and other key supporters, including working with CGA Board members interested in fundraising and/or utilizing existing philanthropic relationships with .
- Serve as the lead development staff person to coordinate development efforts with program and operations staff.
- Advise the Executive Director on the overall foundation/philanthropy development strategy.
- Represent the organization to key constituencies, internal and external, in partnership with other staff, as needed.
Ideal Candidate:
- 7 years of experience in grant and major donor development and management experience. Must be able to demonstrate a track record of successful fundraising.
- Bachelor’s degree is required.
- Understanding, knowledge, and experience in environmental issues, energy, renewable energy, or related fields is a strong plus.
- Ability to communicate and establish a positive rapport with key C-level executives, experienced philanthropists, charitable foundations, corporations, and senior-level individuals.
- Ability to work independently and embrace collaboration, teamwork, and flexible thinking.
- High degree of self-motivation and initiative, with the ability to prioritize, take the lead on major relationships, and follow projects through to completion.
- Record of partnering with senior leaders and Board members to meet revenue targets and to deepen stakeholder engagement in an organization.
- Excellent communication skills to discuss complex programs and initiatives with diverse audiences, pulling in CGA Subject Matter Experts as required for prep and/or presentations.
- Intellectually curious and detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
- Results-oriented with a bias for action and strong organizational and management skills.
- Strong report and proposal writing skills.
The preferred location for the position is in the Midwest; ideally in St. Paul, MN – Chicago, IL – Des Moines, IA – Indianapolis, IN – Remote position. CGA currently has a hybrid work environment and does host quarterly (March, June, September, December) member meetings in Minneapolis/St. Paul which staff attend in person.
DRiWaterstone is proud to lead this search on behalf of Clean Grid Alliance.
