Vice President of Development

For nearly 50 years, Fulfillment Fund has transformed lives by empowering young people from educationally and economically under-resourced communities to graduate from high school, succeed in college, and launch meaningful careers. Since our founding, we have helped more than 37,000 Los Angeles students build pathways to higher education, economic mobility, and lifelong success through our college access, college success, and career readiness programs.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the Vice President of Development will lead the growth and diversification of Fulfillment Fund’s comprehensive fundraising program. This strategic, results-driven leader will build on current development plans to expand philanthropic revenue, strengthen donor relationships, and create a sustainable pipeline of support for the organization’s long-term goals. As Fulfillment Fund approaches its milestone 50th anniversary, this leader will have a unique opportunity to help shape this landmark moment, celebrating the organization’s legacy while inspiring investment in its next chapter.

Partnering closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and program, finance, and marketing teams, the Vice President of Development will expand relationships with foundations, corporations, and individual donors while using the anniversary to reengage longtime supporters and introduce new audiences to the mission. This leader will also strengthen the development department’s infrastructure, mentor and develop staff, and establish clear systems for accountability, forecasting, and performance. The ideal candidate is an experienced, hands-on fundraiser and compelling storyteller who brings a builder’s strategic mindset, strong executive presence, and the confidence to navigate organizational change with internal and external stakeholders.

Strategic Leadership

• →Create and execute a comprehensive development plan in close partnership with the CEO, senior leadership, and Board of Directors, aligning fundraising priorities with the organization's multi-year strategic plan and long-term growth goals.
• →Develop and execute a diversified fundraising approach that expands unrestricted revenue, strengthens recurring support, deepens engagement and stewardship of existing donors, and cultivates new sources of philanthropic support.
• →Prioritize rebuilding and strengthening relationships with existing donors, ensuring they feel valued, engaged, informed and inspired to continue supporting Fulfillment Fund.
• →Build and maintain a qualified fundraising pipeline, establishing clear performance metrics, realistic revenue forecasts, and transparent reporting on progress and challenges.

Board & External Relations

• →Build trusted, collaborative relationships directly with Board members, understanding their individual interests, strengths, and networks, and inspiring meaningful engagement in fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, and philanthropic ambassadorship.
• →Equip Board members with the messaging, resources, and guidance needed to leverage their networks, build relationships, and confidently represent Fulfillment Fund to prospective supporters.
• →Represent Fulfillment Fund at donor meetings, community gatherings, and philanthropic events to strengthen visibility, credibility, and external partnerships.
• →Communicate the organization's vision, impact, and future direction with confidence and transparency, building trust among donors, partners, and other stakeholders.

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• →Lead a diversified fundraising portfolio encompassing major gifts, foundation and corporate partnerships, annual giving, grants, planned giving, and special events.
• →Develop and implement a major gifts program, establishing clear prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, while personally managing a portfolio of high-net-worth donors in partnership with the CEO and Board of Directors.
• →Strengthen foundation and corporate partnerships by identifying new funding opportunities, developing compelling proposals, and overseeing grant strategy and funder stewardship to ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• →Expand and diversify the donor base through strategic prospecting, stewardship, and retention efforts, including opportunities for alumni engagement, grassroots giving, and participation from emerging generations of donors.
• →Partner with program and marketing teams to translate student experiences, program outcomes, and organizational data into compelling stories and cases for philanthropic investment.
• →Provide strategic fundraising leadership for the annual gala and other development initiatives in partnership with internal teams and consultants, while expanding revenue opportunities beyond traditional events.
• →Leverage donor data, giving trends, and prospect research to inform fundraising decisions, strengthen engagement, and identify opportunities for growth.

Team Leadership & Development Operations

• →Lead, develop, and grow the development team, establishing clear responsibilities and performance expectations while fostering a collaborative, accountable culture grounded in trust, constructive feedback, professional development, and shared success.
• →Strengthen development operations, including prospect management, donor tracking, portfolio assignments, reporting, and the effective use of Raiser's Edge and other fundraising systems.
• →Partner closely with finance to develop accurate revenue forecasts, align fundraising projections with organizational budgets, and ensure timely and reliable financial and grant reporting.
• →Build strong cross-functional relationships with program and marketing teams to coordinate fundraising activities, respond to emerging opportunities, and ensure effective communication and follow-through.

• At least 8 years of demonstrated experience in communications, marketing, or external affairs, preferably within a nonprofit environment.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising or development, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven success leading multimillion-dollar fundraising efforts, securing significant gifts from foundations, corporations, and individual donors, and developing diversified revenue strategies. Experience in education-focused fundraising, including relationships with educational foundations or alumni giving programs, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated success developing a major gifts program, including prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, and translating fundraising strategies into actionable plans, qualified donor pipelines, and measurable revenue goals.
• Proven experience building, leading, and developing fundraising teams, including developing mid-career professionals, strengthening departmental operations, and establishing clear performance expectations.
• Highly collaborative senior leader with strategic vision, exceptional judgment, emotional intelligence, executive presence, and the ability to inspire confidence among staff, donors, senior leadership, and the Board.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate organizational change, manage competing stakeholder priorities, and build trust through transparency, adaptability, and consistent follow-through.
• Strong financial acumen, including fundraising budgets, revenue forecasting, performance metrics, and data-informed decision-making. Proficiency with donor management systems, prospect tracking, and fundraising analytics; experience with Raiser's Edge preferred.
• A collaborative, hands-on leadership style, with the initiative, decisiveness, and flexibility to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day execution.
• A high level of integrity, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and accountability, with a genuine commitment to developing others and advancing organizational success.
• A deep passion for Fulfillment Fund's mission, educational equity, and expanding opportunities for students from under-resourced communities.

Applicants needing accommodation for any part of the application process may contact Envision Consulting at 626.714.7577 to request and arrange for assistance