Development Officer

GRID Alternatives is a rapidly growing non-profit organization that provides renewable energy and energy efficiency services to low-income families.  Our main program is the Solar Affordable Housing Program, where we lead teams of volunteers and job trainees to install solar photovoltaic systems for low-income homeowners throughout California. We are looking for a Development Officer to help lead our fundraising efforts in our new North Valley office located in Chico, CA.

Position Overview:

The Development Officer, in collaboration with the local Regional Director and the statewide Development Director, will be responsible for developing and implementing the development strategy of the North Valley regional office. Reporting to the Regional Director, the Development Officer will be responsible for achieving regional fundraising goals and engaging prospects and donors in ongoing service activities. This includes leveraging key relationships and contacts within and outside of the GRID Alternatives network to ensure meeting regional revenue goals.

Responsibilities:

• Obtain financial support from individual, corporate, and foundation supporters throughout the region, under the supervision of the Regional Director
• Supports fundraising strategies and methods or activities to ensure proper acknowledgement, recognition, and stewardship of donors; participates in developing campaign materials, case statements, and brochures; works in collaboration to prepare reports and prospect research materials
• Solicit corporate and group donors for our sponsored workday program
• Manage grant proposals to local foundations, including researching opportunities, managing deadlines, writing proposals, and writing final reports
• Solicit individual participants and corporate sponsors for our annual Solarthon fundraiser/solar installation event, and manage event logistics with support from Headquarters and Regional Director
• Support the Regional Director in writing applications for local government funding programs
• Acknowledge donors and track donations using our Salesforce.com CRM database
• Represent the organization to potential donors, funders, sponsors, and the general community
• Implement local campaigns and cultivation events to raise individual donations from local individual donors
• Collaborate with GRID Alternatives' fundraising team on statewide funding and communications efforts
• Assist the Regional Director with local communications, PR, and media relations efforts
• Report directly to the Regional Director, while regularly communicating with and coordinating with GRID Alternatives' statewide Development Director
• Travel locally, and out-of-town as necessary; prepare call reports in a timely manner
• Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics:

• Knowledge of development/fundraising concepts and appropriate solicitation techniques
• Strong interpersonal/human relations skills
• Strong verbal and professional written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills; ability to think critically and strategically
• Marketing and presentation skills
• Ability to interact with diplomacy and tact amid influential clients and diverse groups
• Ability to maintain relationships with significant and influential individuals
• Ability to solicit gifts and mega-gifts
• Ability to adapt and respond to various situations
• Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality
• Flexibility and willingness to embrace change

Position Requirements:

• Bachelors degree; supplemented with at least 2-5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience. Substituting other equivalent experience will only be considered for an exceptional candidate who makes a compelling case in their cover letter
• High level of comfort with, and experience with, directly asking individuals and institutions for money
• Excellent interpersonal, phone, and written communication skills. You must be able to meet directly with funders/sponsors and speak effectively, professionally, and passionately about the work of the organization, as well as communicate effectively and professionally via email, phone, and in formal written proposals
• Comfortable working as part of a team in a hard working, informal office environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree a plus
• Passion for renewable energy (viz., getting PV deployed on rooftops), energy efficiency, and affordable housing. An understanding of energy and commodity scarcity helpful
• Existing relationships with potential donors/corporate sponsors
• Experience with soliciting major gifts from high asset individuals
• Experience with foundation and government grant writing
• Strong and broad computer skills a significant plus

Office Location: Chico, CA

Compensation: $35,000 - $50,000 annually in Year 1 depending on qualifications and experience with opportunities for increased compensation in Year 2 based on performance. Health, dental, life insurance, five weeks PTO, nine holidays, optional 403(b) retirement. Flexible working arrangements may be available to the right candidate.

Travel and Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours weekly). Some work on evenings/weekends. Mileage-reimbursed travel to meetings, events, and job sites throughout region as needed. Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle required.

Start Date: This position starts on Monday, February 6, 2012 with a two-day orientation at our headquarters office in Oakland followed by a two-day development retreat at another location in Oakland. This will provide the new Development Officer to meet other GRID headquarters and regional development staff. First day in the Chico office will be Friday, February 10, 2012.

To Apply:

Applicants must submit both a cover letter and resume for this position online. Mailed and emailed applications are not accepted. Be sure to address compensation requirements in cover letter. NO PHONE CALLS OR EMAIL INQUIRIES PLEASE.

Interviewing will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

We are an equal opportunity employer.