Strategic Impact Director

The San Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create permanently affordable housing for low-to-moderate-income people through community ownership of the land. Guided by the principles of anti-displacement and racial justice, SFCLT stabilizes neighborhoods, and creates greater access to housing and homeownership opportunities with a focus on BIPOC communities previously excluded from access to wealth, and in particular, access to homeownership opportunities.

SFCLT currently owns and operates 14 permanently affordable properties for those of low and moderate income spread throughout San Francisco, including Chinatown, the Mission, the Tenderloin, the Richmond, South of Market, and Russian Hill. 73% of our residents are below 80% AMI and 50% below 60% AMI. The 250 residents living currently in our 151 units of housing represent a diversity of races and ethnicities with 70% of our residents identifying as BIPOC.

Position Overview:

The Strategic Impact Director is critical to the success of SFCLT and will be joining the organization and executive team at an exciting time of growth, deepening and visioning. Responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive development program both in terms of its fundraising strategy, as well as its business development, the Director plays a key role in ensuring the financial sustainability of the organization, as well as the success and flourishing of the CLT model and sector overall.

SFCLT received a $20 million grant from MacKenzie Scott and is leveraging a portion to both launch a fee-for-service program as well as launch a larger joint capacity building campaign with other Bay Area community land trusts (CLTs). The Director would join a collaborative of CLTs that are working together on these efforts, as well as a group of funders, CDFIs and others in the housing preservation space that are interested in supporting this work. The Strategic Impact Director will play a key role in the startup fundraising for this plan and also in its design and implementation.

We are seeking a business development professional who has a track record in pitching complex new business models to foundations, impact investors, corporate and individual donors. An ability to work with our Finance Director and others team in developing the business model and play a role in leading program development execution and launch.

Core Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategy & Leadership:

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive development plan for the organization, including leveraging a portion of the $20mm MacKenzie Scott grant for a $5mm capacity building campaign for SFCLT in the form of a fee-for-service program, which will be financially sustainable over time, as well as later contributing towards a much larger joint capacity building campaign for 10 CLTs in the Bay Area. 

  • Successfully obtain $5mm towards the launch of the fee-for-service program together with the ED (see Business Development).

  • Work closely with the Executive Director, Finance Director, other staff, and the Board of Directors to develop business planning, fundraising goals, and strategies that align with the organization’s mission and values. 

  • Participate in strategic and business planning for SFCLT as a whole.

Business Development:

  • Review the business modeling of and CLT collaborative input into SFCLT’s proposed fee-for-service program with the Finance Director and Executive Director, and make any needed adjustments.

  • Create the business and implementation plans for the fee-for-service program, which provides key technical services that CLTs need to be sustainable and scale.

  • Oversee the execution of the business plan, including setting annual goals; recruiting and hiring talent; identifying and developing key relationships necessary for the success of the plan; and determining timeline/phases of the plan and coordinating relevant departments towards supporting the plan.

  • Assess progress towards goals and make strategic shifts on an ongoing basis for the business plan. Track revenue streams, and make data-driven decisions that help the organization achieve its program goals. 

  • Strategize with the Executive Director, Finance Director and Operations Director on how this program intersects with the larger capacity building fundraising campaign and work.

Fundraising:

  • Oversee the execution of the development plan, including setting annual goals; recruiting, developing and retaining major and individual donors; identifying and developing relationships with foundations and government entities; and determining fundraising events and actions for the year. 

  • Assess progress towards goals and make strategic shifts on an ongoing basis. Track donor engagement and retention rates, analyze revenue streams, and make data-driven decisions that help the organization achieve its fundraising goals. 

  • Provide support and coaching in fundraising to the ED, Board of Directors, staff and members to achieve the SFCLT’s fundraising goals. Build opportunities for SFCLT members and residents to participate in development activities. 

  • Collaborate with staff working on communications to develop and execute effective donor communications and marketing materials, developing compelling messaging that resonates with potential donors and crafting targeted appeals that drive donations.

  • Ensure SFCLT maintains effective systems to process gifts and acknowledge donors in a timely manner.

  • Work with Operations Director to ensure SFCLT has the right IT tools to meet its fundraising needs, including donation platforms and donor databases.

  • Establish best practices for donor data entry and tracking, and oversee data entry and donor management in donor database.

  • Respond to requests for proposals from viable foundations and government entities, and lead application submission.

  • Ensure SFCLT remains in compliance with grant deliverables and reporting requirements and deadlines as stipulated in grant agreements; work with the Finance Director to confirm processing and receipt of payments.

  • Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and as determined by the development plan.

Qualifications/Skills/Experience:

We understand that no single candidate will always possess all of the required qualifications and encourage applicants to submit their materials for consideration.

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, either in the non-profit or private sector. 

  • Proven track record of fundraising success, particularly securing major gifts and investments, successfully managing campaigns, and engaging a community of motivated supporters.

  • Proven track record of business development success, particularly in creating and managing revenue-generating programs.

  • Strong proactive leadership skills and experience in building, managing, mentoring, and leading team members to achieve and exceed ambitious fundraising/business development goals.

  • Strong metrics orientation and financial acumen, including proven skills in budget management, goal setting, and the accurate reporting of performance against those goals.

  • Working knowledge of development best practices, trends in development for nonprofits and revenue-generating programs, and fundraising tools and technology

  • Demonstrated ability to respond to shifting demands and priorities with agility and grace

  • Experience in communicating an organization’s mission and values to a wide variety of audiences, demonstrating effective interpersonal, public speaking, facilitation, and presentation skills

  • Ability to inspire others with respect to the organization’s mission, vision, & values, commitment to racial equity and social justice

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write compelling donor communications and marketing materials.

  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, Board members, and volunteers.

  • Experience with fundraising software and donor databases.

  • Extensive project management experience with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and pay attention to detail.

While not required, skills or experience in any of the following areas/activities are desirable:

  • Rooted in local communities marginalized by gentrification and displacement, including communities of color, low-income, queer, and immigrant residents of San Francisco.

  • Leadership skills

  • Master’s degree

Salary & Benefits:

  • Salary: $150,000 - $180,000 per year, depending on experience. 

  • Medical reimbursement plan for employee and family 

  • 31 Days of PTO, and 12 holidays

  • 401k with 2% match 

  • Sabbatical policy (16 weeks after 4 years)

HOW TO APPLY:

Our goal is to fill this position ASAP but for the right candidate, the start date is negotiable. All applicants must be fully vaccinated before starting (2 shots + booster).

This is a hybrid role with 2 days per week in office required. 

SFCLT is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diversity in its applicants. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, ancestry, national origin, military or veteran status, or mental or physical disability.  BIPOC, queer and trans people, women, and nonbinary and gender non-conforming applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records to apply for any open position in which they feel qualified.