THE UNITY COUNCIL
VICE PRESIDENT OF FUND DEVELOPMENT

 ABOUT THE UNITY COUNCIL

The Unity Council is a non-profit Social Equity Development Corporation with a history in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. Their mission is to promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive.

Their programs aim to provide the community with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transform their lives and ultimately achieve their long-term educational, career, and financial goals. These holistic programs and services reach more than 8,000 individuals and families annually in five languages. Programs include early childhood education, youth mentorship and leadership development, employment services, career readiness training, housing and financial stability, senior citizen services, affordable housing and neighborhood development, and arts and cultural events. Their work expands beyond the Fruitvale district and now reaches across Oakland and into Concord. The Unity Council employs a diverse workforce of more than 300 people who reflect the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identity of the communities we serve.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Unity Council seeks a Vice President of Fund Development who will develop and execute the strategy and management of the fund development, communications, and marketing functions. This position will manage revenue from government contracts, grants form corporations and foundations, grow individual philanthropy, and execute event management. As a member of the Senior Executive staff, the person in this position will help shape organizational culture, strategic planning initiatives, the budgeting process, and internal/external communications.

For more information, please visit https://unitycouncil.org/

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Position reports directly to the CEO and manages a team of six staff members and consultants.

OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • The salary range for this position is $140,000-$160,000 (May be eligible for bonus based on performance)

  • Robust benefits package includes:

o   Choice of Medical, Dental and Vision plans + pre-tax flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care costs

o   Holidays: 14 holidays + up to 5 floating holidays

o   Vacation: 3 weeks of Vacation annually + sick time

o   Retirement: 403(b) with 5% employer match

o   Company paid Life and Disability Insurance

o   Other benefits: Commuter benefits + Pet Insurance + Legal Assistance + Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Trainings and Professional Development opportunities

  • Opportunity to improve the quality of life for thousands of individuals and families in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland.

YOU ARE

  • Fearless, high-level strategic fundraising expert passionate about all aspects of fund development

  • Strategic thought partner to the CEO and a strong, capable leader to the fund development team

  • Excited to engage the Board of Directors in proactive and intentional fundraising initiatives

  • Passionate about advocating for social justice and housing equity

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fund Development, Major Gifts and Annual Fund

  • Oversee $6 million capital campaign in collaboration with Manager of Major Gifts and campaign consultants. Develop and guide campaign strategies, create targeted cultivation plans and solicitation strategies, and coordinate campaign committee meetings and events.

  • Personally manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, representing a combination of individuals, corporations, and foundations.

  • Assist and support the CEO, board members, and the Manager of Major Gifts in developing solicitation strategies for their major gift prospects.

  • Ensure that effective personal stewardship and cultivation plans are designed and carried out on an ongoing basis, providing, and directing portfolio management.

  • Direct team in managing and producing print and electronic appeals and publications, direct mail, monthly giving, major gifts, and planned giving appeals. Work with staff to review donor lists to ensure effective segmentation and coordination of mailing lists.

  • Coach team in setting goals, measuring, and managing progress, and fostering growth of donor base.

  • Ensure that the fundraising database is being used consistently and in-line with best practices.

Public, Foundation, and Corporate Grants

  • Provide guidance to the institutional giving team, who assume primary responsibility of writing and tracking grant requests.

  • Craft and provide oversight of internal systems to ensure accurate and complete data is collected and tracked for all reporting requirements.

  • Manage communications between current and prospective funders, keeping all abreast of The Unity Council’s advancements and impact.

Planning, Strategy, and Leadership Management

  • Actively participate in annual strategic and operational planning sessions.

  • Report regularly to the CEO and Board of Directors on the progress of the Fund Development work.

  • Regularly assess fundraising activities to determine if benchmarks are being met.

  • Oversee the creation and execution of internal and external communications plans tied to TUC’s mission.

  • Work with the Communications and External Relations Senior Manager to establish annual goals and strategies that include key objectives, target audiences, messaging, collateral needs, campaigns, and benchmarks of success.

  • Provide leadership and direction on strengthening The Unity Council brand and help maintain consistent brand identity, print collateral, website and online communications, social media presence, and internal communications tools.

  • Ensure that fundraising and donor stewardship plans align with marketing activities.

  • Provide executive leadership and strategic direction to events (and volunteers) related to fundraising and marketing.

  • Oversee the project management of the Oakland Día de los Muertos Festival and other large events.

Marketing and Communications

  • Oversee the creation and execution of internal and external communications plans tied to TUC’s mission.

  • Work with the Communications and External Relations Senior Manager to establish annual goals and strategies that include key objectives, target audiences, messaging, collateral needs, campaigns, and benchmarks of success.

  • Provide leadership and direction on strengthening The Unity Council brand and help maintain consistent brand identity.

  • Provide leadership and strategic direction on print collateral, website and online communications, social media presence, and internal communications tools.

  • Ensure that fundraising and donor stewardship plans coordinate with marketing activities.

  • Provide executive leadership and strategic direction to events (and volunteers) related to fundraising and marketing.

  • Oversee the project management of the Oakland Día de los Muertos Festival and other large events.

COMPETENCIES

  • Demonstrated commitment to racial, economic, and social justice and equity

  • 10+ years of experience in fund development for a mission-driven organization

  • Proven track record of success in soliciting major and individual gifts

  • Experience fundraising for social justice, social service, housing equity, or community organizing organizations

  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills

  • Experience writing and placing press releases, media alerts, press statements, letters to the editor or similar content in top tier outlets

  • Ability to manage and respond quickly to incoming inquiries from the news media

  • Strong initiative and personal organization, successful at managing multiple projects

  • Flexible, organized, detail-oriented, and able to meet multiple and tight deadlines

  • Ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including staff and board members, and donors

  • Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred

  • Experience developing social media strategy and increasing engagement

  • Fluency with Microsoft Office, Google Products, and Adobe CC

  • Experience using donor database, preferably Blackbaud’s eTapestry database

  • Passion for the mission of The Unity Council

VALUES STATEMENT & COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

The Unity Council is an equal-opportunity employer with a commitment to racial justice and racial equity. The Unity Council does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law and is an employment-at-will organization. TUC welcomes and encourages people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ people, and members of other historically disenfranchised groups to apply.

COMMUNITY We create community with and for one another. We build on the strength that guides and nourishes our families, children, seniors, and partners to live and thrive.

EMPOWERMENT We believe people and communities have the power, skills, knowledge, and leadership to gain control over factors and decisions that shape their lives.

EQUITY We believe people have certain inalienable rights to live, work, and thrive in their neighborhood without regard to race, income, language, or background.

INTEGRITY We are committed to living and working with honesty and transparency, and believe this builds trust with and among partners and our community.

JOY We believe in celebration, and that pleasure and happiness improves quality of life.

PASSION & SERVICE We deliver community-focused services with heart, propelling positive and lasting systemic change in our neighborhoods.

ROOTED IN CULTURE We welcome, embrace, and celebrate the beauty of our rich community diversity.

TO APPLY

To apply for this position, or for additional information on the opportunity, please send a copy of your resume with a cover letter to Victoria Silverman at apply@cooksilverman.com.

All applications and inquiries will receive a response and be kept strictly confidential.