We’re building an extraordinary organization that pioneers new forms of civic journalism and offers hope and optimism for the future of local news. To make that happen, we’re looking for an enterprising Vice President, Development to lead a development program for the organization capable of generating millions in philanthropic support through individual and institutional donors, both regionally and nationally. The job is based in Oakland.

You’ll be joining us at an exciting time in our development. After 11 years building Berkeleyside into a widely recognized, nationally lauded local news site, we have created Cityside, an ambitious, nonprofit, mission-driven organization that will fuel the growth of high-quality local journalism by supporting Berkeleyside and the expansion of newsrooms to new locations. 

Our lead funders are Google and the American Journalism Project.  We have successfully raised multiple $1M+ grants, as well as strong major gift support from individuals. The Oaklandside, our first expansion, launched in June 2020.

What you’ll do

• Reporting to the CEO, lead a comprehensive, strategic, donor-centered fundraising program that includes specific fundraising goals and targets
• As part of the leadership team, partner with the founders, editors, and Board to help build our overall business by identifying new funding opportunities and matching program strategies with potential funders.
• Build strong relationships and execute our foundation funding strategy. Maintain and expand a portfolio of additional foundation/grant prospects and drive the submission of all grant requests, including overseeing contract grant writers
• Create and implement a development plan to further expand the major gifts and corporate portfolio, including by engaging and retaining new donors
• Develop goals, strategies, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plans for each donor, ensuring that each one receives frequent personalized contact
• Build and lead team to work with you in executing fundraising goals
• Draft donor correspondence and maintain primary responsibility for developing messages, strategy memos, talking points and donor materials
• Implement a communications plan, including management of resources to develop messages, materials and explanations of our work used in strategic donor communications, annual reports, newsletters, and other communications that advance our mission and visibility
• Oversee development and execution of fundraising campaigns
• Create and staff gatherings for donors and foundations
• Maintain our donor management database to ensure professional data management.

What you’ll need to succeed

• Demonstrated success in working with Bay Area major donors to serve their philanthropic objectives
• Relationships with California-based foundations and a track record of successfully building new programs with them
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to effectively communicate complex, strategic information to external audiences regarding the importance of local news to a thriving democracy, and its role in supporting a variety of topical interests such as education, health and homelessness.
• Demonstrated project management skills; ability to work independently and successfully manage multiple projects with competing deadlines; excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and networking skills; ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective donors and institutional representatives.
• Knowledge of needed systems, tools, and infrastructure necessary to build a modern development organization
• An engaging presence and ability to represent the organization in both 1:1 and public settings

We’re especially interested in candidates who

• Have demonstrated experience in early-stage nonprofits and have built a successful development program from scratch
• Have worked in, or have a passion for, journalism
• Are personally grounded in underserved communities represented in the Bay Area

How we’ll support you

• Top-notch in-house mentorship and a transparent internal review and feedback process
• $1,000 in support for conferences and training

We offer a competitive salary, a health plan, four weeks of paid leave and a 401(k) match.

We’re committed to building an inclusive organization that represents the people and communities we serve. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply for this position, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.

To Apply

Applications can be submitted here. Questions?  Contact Lance Knobel, CEO at [email protected].