Join Renton Regional Community Foundation (RRCF) as our next Development Director and help us expand our reach across South King County and beyond! We're seeking a dynamic fundraising leader who will partner with the Executive Director to build meaningful relationships, secure vital funding, and deepen RRCF's impact. As part of a dedicated team of 3, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of philanthropy in our region, working alongside grassroots organizations and community leaders who are on the forefront of driving change in their communities. 

RRCF has been connecting donors with organizations and community members working to solve South King County’s most pressing problems since 1999. Currently managing $13 million in assets and home to more than 70 funds, RRCF actively works toward its mission: to ignite the power of philanthropy - by connecting people, ideas, and resources - to support and engage our community.

This is a special time to join RRCF. We are poised to continue our growth as we deepen and expand our role as a philanthropic leader. Our goals are to move more unrestricted money to nonprofits, amplify the work happening in South King County and the leaders driving it, and cultivate a culture of giving within this region. 

If you are a strategic, relationship-focused fundraiser passionate about connecting donors and community partners with front-line organizations driving change in their communities, we encourage you to apply! 

The expected salary range is between $95,000 and $105,000, depending on qualifications and experience. 

Applications submitted by Monday, March 17 will be given full consideration. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Interviews are anticipated at the end of March and beginning of April.

About Renton Regional Community Foundation 

Renton Regional Community Foundation inspires the power of collective giving - by connecting people, ideas, and resources - to support and engage our community. We do this in service to our greater vision of a vibrant, equitable region where communities flourish and everyone thrives.

As a community foundation (CF), RRCF has a unique role and structure. CFs bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support nonprofits in their communities working on a variety of issues. RRCF is based in South King County, so we have a special niche and commitment to this region, which represents one of Washington state's most diverse areas (learn more about the South King County community and what we’re working on here).  At the same time, we assist our fundholders in supporting organizations that reside across the state and even across the country.

Unlike some CF's, RRCF does not have an endowment, which means that our annual revenue comes from individual general support, our annual Celebrate event, and support from corporations, foundation grants, and public partnerships.  

The role of the Development Director will be to work in partnership with the ED to increase RRCF’s revenue by:

• Growing our base of general support donors. These donors give us the most flexibility, and include individuals, corporations, and foundations.

• Growing the number of funds under management so we can increase philanthropy in the region.

• Developing our annual Celebrate event to meet its financial goals

• Exploring potential public partnerships.

Each of these areas requires different strategies, so we are looking for someone who enjoys and is adept at seeing the big picture and then executing on a variety of tactics.

We live out our values, vision and mission by:

• Inspiring a culture of abundance

• Stewarding resources to harness community assets and meet community needs

• Amplifying community voice and deepening community engagement

• Advocating for the South King County region

The RRCF Team

The Development Director would be part of a team of 3, including the Executive Director and the Office Manager.

Together, the RRCF team collaborates closely to foster collaborative, equitable and symbiotic relationships between funders and community organizations. 

We have a friendly and informal professional work culture, where people can work both collaboratively and independently in a supportive environment. We are a learning organization where things move and change quickly. We are:

• Community-centric: Our programs come from being aware of what’s going on in the community.

• Ready to pitch in and help: as a small team, we all understand that we each need to do our part to be successful.

• Present: Spending time in the office with the team, meeting our donors in the community, and seeing our programs in action is what keeps us all going!

• Responsive: Our decisions are informed by the effectiveness of our programs and we aren’t afraid to pivot.

RRCF’s Commitment to Equity, Dignity, & Belonging 

Equity is the condition that would be achieved if one’s identity no longer predicted how one fared in life. Dignity is the recognition that human beings possess a value intrinsic to their humanity. Belonging means having a meaningful voice and partnership in decision-making and action. We commit to helping to close discriminatory gaps and eliminate barriers that would otherwise prevent people from achieving their full potential, and to creating an environment where all members – particularly those who have been marginalized – feel like they belong and can contribute. We believe that

• Safety, a sense of belonging, and prospects for success should not relate to where someone lives or who they are. 

• To thrive and flourish, a community must eradicate inequities that are embedded in society's structures and systems. 

• Economic, environmental, and social issues are interrelated and must be addressed as a whole, focusing on their effects on individuals and communities.

• Because of systemic and structural barriers, interrelated approaches and resources are needed to ensure marginalized populations are whole and thrive.

Opportunities and Essential Duties of the Role 

Guided by our core values and our recently developed Fundraising Principles (which draw from Community-Centric Fundraising and are being thoughtfully implemented in dialogue with donors), the Development Director is the primary fundraiser for the Foundation. The Director will work in partnership with the Executive Director (ED) and Board of Directors to raise financial support through individuals, corporations, foundations, and public support; increase community awareness and relationships; grow the number of funds under management at the foundation; and increase the foundation's general profile and visibility. The Development Director will help us to build and refine our fundraising strategies, systems, and processes to maximize our effectiveness in meeting these goals.

Specifically, the Development Director will focus their time on these areas:

• Strategy Development: Act as a thought partner with the Executive Director and board to set vision and priorities for growing RRCF's resources and impact. 

• Donor Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing donor families, professional advisors, and potential fundholders while streamlining donor services and the stewardship processes.

• Fund Development: Lead fundraising efforts to sustain and grow RRCF's impact through diversified giving strategies. 

• Community Engagement: Serve as a key relationship builder and ambassador for RRCF, representing RRCF at community events and with stakeholders to raise visibility,  broaden our network of support, and hear directly from the community. 

• Systems and Operations: Ensure development systems and processes are efficient and effective. This includes managing the donor database, overseeing gift processing, and ensuring RRCF’s systems effectively track donor stewardship activities and relationships.

• Strategic Communications: Help to guide and create compelling content that tells RRCF’s story and impact for donor communications, social media, and marketing materials. 

The Development Director reports to the Executive Director and will also work closely with the Board of Directors and the Office Manager. Although you will be a development department of one, you will not work alone! The ED will be a key partner in your work to grow the foundation’s resources and serve South King County and beyond.  

The Ideal Candidate

Our next Development Director will be an experienced and self-motivated fundraising professional who can thrive in a small team environment and serve as a true thought partner to the Executive Director.  They will be committed to the mission, vision, and values of RRCF, and eager to represent them in the community. While no one is expected to know everything, the specific experience, skills and traits we are prioritizing include the following. 

Work Experience

• Experience building authentic donor relationships across diverse constituencies, and a track record of successfully cultivating and soliciting donors. 

• Experience designing and implementing fundraising strategies, with major gifts, corporations, and planned giving preferred.

• Proven organizational and project management skills, including experience supporting and organizing donor/community events, with ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience both coaching and supporting executive leaders and board members in their own fundraising efforts and activities.  

• Demonstrated skills in incorporating equity, dignity and belonging into fundraising and donor engagement strategies. 

• Experience using donor databases and data analysis to inform development strategies, and leverage technology tools for fundraising and communications.

• Experience working in or with community foundations or similar settings is not required, but is a plus.

Traits and Characteristics

• Deeply committed to racial equity, bringing both personal and professional perspectives to guide organizational culture and decision-making through an equity lens. 

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to engage effectively with donors as well as other community members in racially and economically diverse settings.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to craft compelling narratives and promote storytelling through various channels including presentations, proposals, and digital media.

• Proven ability to navigate multiple priorities with agility, demonstrated success working independently, and a natural aptitude for continuous learning in dynamic settings.

• Able to tackle both strategic and hands-on work with grace, demonstrated success in fostering team collaboration while maintaining self-awareness to seek support when needed, and a natural aptitude for bringing humor and perspective to high-pressure situations.

• Familiarity with South King County is not required, but is a plus

We realize that great candidates may not have everything on this list and that leaders come from all communities, backgrounds, ages, and sectors. If you believe you would be a great fit for this role, we encourage you to apply!

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time salaried position requiring a willingness to work some evenings and weekends. The expected salary range is between $95,000 and $105,000, depending on qualifications and experience. 

RRCF offers generous benefits including 14 holidays, 3 weeks vacation and 12 days sick leave (both of which increase after 3 years). Medical, dental, and visual insurance is fully covered. Other benefits include a retirement plan with 3% contribution after 6 months of employment.

RRCF is located in Washington state, in the city of Renton. 

How to Apply

Online applications only, please no email or paper submissions.  You will be asked to upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please describe as specifically as you can how your experience, interests, and values are a fit with RRCF’s goals, mission, and vision for the future as described in this announcement. 

Applications received by March 17, 2025 will be given full consideration; early applications are strongly encouraged!  All applications will be acknowledged via an email receipt. Consideration will be given to applications as soon as they are received; phone and in-person interviewing is anticipated to begin at the end of March.

Questions regarding this opportunity are welcomed and can be directed to: Sumi Bhat-Kincaid

Sumi [at] cloversearchworks.com 

Posting Date: February 18, 2025