Description
JOB OVERVIEW
The Director of Development is responsible for ensuring ARC’s long-term financial sustainability through strategic fundraising, donor engagement, grants management, and development-related communications. This role provides leadership for ARC's fund development strategy across a diversified funding base, where 79% of revenue comes from contributed income including individual donors, private and public foundations, and corporate sponsorships; 19% from state grants; 1% from program income, reflecting ARC's commitment to removing financial barriers for participants; and 1% from investments. This position cultivates strong relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners, and integrates fundraising goals into ARC's overall strategic and operational plans.
The Director of Development works closely with the Executive Director, Director of Operations, Program Director, Communications Coordinator, and the Fundraising Committee to build a healthy, values-aligned culture of philanthropy across the organization. This includes supervising the Communications Coordinator and providing strategic oversight of development-related communications to ensure consistent, values-aligned storytelling across all channels. This position balances big-picture development strategy with hands-on execution, relationship-building, and cross-departmental collaboration.
ABOUT ARC
Adventure Risk Challenge (ARC) is a youth development non-profit founded in 2004. Our immersive, multi-year program progression engages high school youth in rural communities of the Sierra Nevada and the Central Valley whose identities are underrepresented in the outdoors and higher education, especially English learners and first generation students. We intentionally design every aspect of our programming to support students in four impact areas: (1) developing literacy skills (writing, reading, and public speaking), (2) community & belonging, (3) leadership skills, and (4) outdoor experiences & connection. Our staff team is currently 10 people who are passionate about ARC’s mission, show up as their authentic selves, and are committed to furthering equity in outdoor adventure education and to supporting students in finding their voices.
ARC recognizes that injustice exists in all aspects of society. Our programs aim to eliminate barriers and create pathways for youth to achieve academic success, to access outdoor spaces, and to exercise leadership in our communities and beyond. ARC is dedicated to actively implementing organizational practices and developing leadership opportunities that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout our organization. We strongly encourage individuals from communities historically underrepresented in the outdoors or in leadership to apply and bring their perspectives and experiences to our team.
Requirements
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE HAS
- A Values-Driven Approach:
- You are committed to positive youth development, equitable access to education and the outdoors, and strengths-based leadership.
- Your values align with ARC's: you bring your authentic self to work; you have a growth-oriented mindset; you strive to make spaces and systems more inclusive; you approach your work with integrity; and you prioritize stewardship of yourself, other people, and the natural world.
- Fundraising & Development Experience:
- You have demonstrated experience in nonprofit fundraising, including individual giving and management of grants from private, public, and government sources.
- You understand how fundraising strategy, donor relationships, and philanthropic resources directly support high-quality, youth-centered programming.
- Leadership & Communication Experience:
- You have experience supervising and mentoring staff, contractors, or consultants, and can work effectively across departments and with diverse stakeholders.
- You are a strong written and verbal communicator with a track record in grant writing and donor-facing storytelling, translating program outcomes, youth voice, and organizational priorities into compelling narratives for funders.
- Professional Skills and Strengths:
- You are self-directed, organized, and detail-oriented, with 2+ years of remote work experience and strong systems for managing competing demands independently.
- You are adaptable and communicative, comfortable giving and receiving feedback, acknowledging mistakes, and reaching out to colleagues when you need support and when you have extra capacity to support others.
