About UP RVA

Mission Statement: The mission of UP RVA is to empower students to achieve economic sustainability by providing access to exceptional secondary and post-secondary academic opportunities and bridging the educational equity gap.

UP RVA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Richmond, VA. The organization's mission is to serve low-income high school and college students. We currently support 27 high school students attending five independent schools in Richmond (Collegiate, St. Catherine’s, St. Christopher’s, Steward, and Trinity Episcopal). 22 UP RVA students attend 14 colleges and universities in three states. The 2024-25 annual operating budget is approximately $1,500,000.

Position Overview

UP RVA seeks a dynamic and experienced Director of Development to lead our fundraising and development efforts. This role reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for creating and executing strategic fundraising initiatives that ensure the organization’s long-term financial sustainability. The Director of Development will oversee donor cultivation, stewardship, grant writing, and special events while supervising a small Development Team. 

This is a 12-month, full-time position. We observe school-based holidays and a flexible summer schedule. The position will start after July 1.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Development & Fundraising:

• Develop and implement short- and long-term fundraising strategies to meet annual and multi-year revenue goals.
• Lead major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships, and grant funding efforts.
• Create and execute strategies to expand the donor base and increase engagement.
• Oversee the planning and execution of fundraising events and campaigns.
• Support the Executive Director in building brand awareness about UP RVA at the local and state levels, including developing social media and electronic marketing campaigns.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to engage in high-level donor cultivation and solicitation.

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors.
• Develop and oversee donor recognition and stewardship programs to ensure continued engagement.
• Research and identify potential funding sources, including grants and corporate sponsorships.

Leadership & Team Management:

• Supervise, mentor, and provide professional development opportunities for the Development Team.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team dynamic.
• Work closely with UP RVA staff to ensure alignment between fundraising efforts and organizational needs.

Grant Writing & Reporting:

• Oversee the grant writing process, ensuring the timely submission of proposals and reports.
• Track and analyze fundraising metrics, providing regular reports to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in major gifts, donor relations, and strategic fundraising initiatives.
• Experience in managing and mentoring development staff.
• Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices, donor databases, and CRM systems.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a small but passionate team.
• Knowledge of the Richmond philanthropic community is a plus.
• Passion for working with low-income students from traditionally underserved communities who will be among the first in their families to attend college.