Development Director

Position Opening

Development Director

Salary: $,000

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports to: Executive Director

Positions Reporting to this Position: Development Manager

Location: Metro Atlanta preferred; hybrid; frequent in-state and periodic out-of-state travel expected

Description

The Georgia Conservation Voters family of organizations includes the Georgia Conservation Voters, Inc., the Georgia Conservation Voters Education Fund, and the Georgia Conservation Voters Action Fund. The Georgia Conservation Voters (GCV) mission is to advocate for public policies that advance a more just and sustainable future, campaign for candidates who will make climate and environmental justice a priority, and hold elected officials accountable for their actions and votes.

The Georgia Conservation Voters Education Fund (GCVEF) mobilizes Georgians to advance climate and environmental justice through education, advocacy, and other forms of civic engagement. The Georgia Conservation Voters Action Fund (GCVAF) campaigns for climate champions. These complementary organizations hold Georgia legislators and policymakers accountable for their actions on climate and environmental justice.

The Development Director leads Georgia Conservation Voters’ fundraising strategy across individual donors, institutional funders, and campaign-aligned funding opportunities for GCV, GCVEF, and GCVAF. This is a senior leadership role responsible for owning funder relationships, articulating organizational strategy, and securing the resources needed to sustain and grow GCV’s impact. The Development Director must be able to independently represent GCV’s mission, programs, and political context to funders, while collaborating with program leadership to translate strategy into compelling fundraising cases.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy across individual donors, foundations, and aligned institutional funders.

• Set annual revenue goals and track progress across all funding streams.

• Translate organizational strategy, programs, and campaigns into clear, compelling fundraising narratives.

• Proactively identify funding opportunities aligned with GCV’s mission and political context.

• Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of primary, middle, and institutional funders.

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of key donors and foundations.

• Confidently lead funder meetings and calls, including presenting strategy, impact, and funding needs.

• Travel regularly to meet funders, attend conferences, and build new relationships.

• Manage routine engagement with funders, ensuring the Executive Director remains closely aligned with our most significant funder relationships.

• Own the full lifecycle of grant fundraising, including prospecting, proposal development, submission, reporting, and renewal.

• Independently draft and submit grant proposals and reports;
  Executive Director review is required only for high-dollar or high-risk submissions.

• Develop a clear understanding of GCV’s programs, campaigns, and political strategy to ensure accurate and persuasive grant narratives.

• Coordinate with program directors for content while retaining responsibility for synthesis, framing, and submission.

• Develop and execute a thoughtful individual donor strategy that prioritizes relationship-building, retention, and increased giving.

• Segment donor lists and design targeted cultivation plans based on geography, capacity, and engagement history.

• Design donor events and engagement opportunities with a clear strategic purpose, avoiding repetitive or one-size-fits-all formats.

• Lead follow-up, stewardship, and relationship deepening after events and donor interactions.

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to strengthen fundraising capacity and accountability.

• Equip board members with tools, strategies, and expectations to support fundraising.

• Collaborate with program and communications staff to align fundraising with organizational priorities.

• Maintain accurate records in…