Kaboom
Description
About KABOOM!:
KABOOM! works nationally to achieve playspace equity: where every kid has access to high-quality playspaces. We do this by amplifying the power of communities to build inspiring play spaces that spark unlimited opportunities for every kid, everywhere. We believe that the right to play is a social justice issue, and that systemic and structural racism has created a gap in access to play for communities of color therefore we center racial equity in pursuit of playspace equity. We know that creating equitable access to play opportunities requires cross-sector partnerships and systems-level solutions and are driven to lead this collaboration.
Position Summary:
KABOOM! is looking for a passionate, goal-oriented Associate Director to join the Partnership Development Team. An integral member of the team, the Associate Director will diversify our funding base by securing support from new regional and state-focused private foundations, corporations, family foundations, with a focus on securing unrestricted funding. This position provides great opportunity for growth and professional development for someone with the natural talent for building relationships, sensing opportunities, and securing grants and large gifts. As a front-line fundraiser, the Associate Director will have a strong sense of direction, steering funder conversations towards multi-year opportunities, effectively implementing fundraising campaigns and other sustainable growth strategies. This position plays a vital role in our fundraising strategy, by focusing on securing unrestricted funding, and working across departments to develop and secure partnerships that advance our mission of ending playspace inequity for good.
Racial equity and community responsiveness is at the center of our work and the ideal candidate will have a shared passion for joining the racial justice movement to address inequitable access to playspaces in communities impacted by structural racism. Interested candidates are encouraged to highlight their experience working to advance social impact issues that intersect or directly impact the lives of children, such as education, public health, housing, early learning, disaster recovery, neighborhood revitalization, and park access. Candidates with experience working alongside Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), with a proven ability to lead and co-create partnerships with key stakeholders serving these communities, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement effective fundraising strategies that help advance our mission to close the playspace equity gap and reach our annual revenue goal of $20M+
- Secure five- and six-figure grant opportunities with new funders, with a focus on securing unrestricted gifts
- Create compelling proposals, pitch presentations, applications, and other materials, as needed, in support of funder solicitation
- Collaborate with KABOOM! colleagues to develop program/project concepts that can secure new foundation or corporate funding
- Stay abreast of philanthropic trends and proactively identify funding opportunities in the private sectors
- Develop a deep understanding of KABOOM!’s community-build and community engagement models, process and partnership guidelines, and overall due diligence procedures
- Actively contribute to our equity-informed and inclusive work environment by promoting practices that support racial equity and belonging
- Fully embrace our organizational values of partnership, humility, equity, play and accountability
Education and Experience Required:
- Bachelor's degree and a minimum of six (6) years of experience in grant writing, prospect research, general fundraising
- Proven experience in building new funder relationships and growing a portfolio of +$3M; experience executing effective fundraising campaigns or major donor strategies a plus
- Strong writing skills, with an exceptional ability to develop compelling proposals and cases for support that align with funder priorities
- Strong and persuasive oral, interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to effectively interface with staff, community leaders and senior level executives
- Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial setting with aggressive deadlines, management of multiple priorities and projects at once, while balancing long-term goals with daily demands
- A sharp mind, top-notch critical thinking and organizational capabilities, adept at quickly absorbing information from various angles, always keeping an eye on the big picture while maintaining superior attention to detail
- High level of integrity, trust and accountability along with excellent judgment and common sense as well as the right blend of professional confidence with a keen sense of diplomacy
- Collaborative, team-oriented work style with self-motivation and drive to get the job done with little supervision
- Enthusiastically contributes to “big picture” thinking
- Good sense of humor, positive attitude, collaborative, team player
- Salesforce platform experience highly desired
- Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint a plus
- Bilingual Spanish-English candidates strongly preferred, but not required
Additional Requirements:
Individual has the ability and willingness to build relationships across differences and discuss issues of structural and institutional racism.
Essential Job Functions:
Office Staff – “Ability to maintain acceptable standards of office conducts and work cooperatively as an effective team member of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Communicates with others, sits or moves about the office to coordinate work and uses a computer as well as other office equipment as needed.”
Note: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. COVID-19 vaccination required.
How To Apply
Interested applicants should apply directly to this job announcement with a cover letter and updated copy of their resume.
KABOOM! is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that is dedicated to giving all kids – regardless of color or zip code – the childhood they deserve through great, safe places to play. We prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion as an integral part of our culture. We strongly encourage people of color (including bilingual and bicultural), all genders and gender identities, people of all abilities, LGBTQ individuals, veterans and national service alumni to apply.