Development Officer

The Development Officer will lead the Ziebarth Center for Innovation’s comprehensive fundraising efforts, ensuring sustainable funding for its programs, including the Institute for Health and Food Literacy Education (IHFL), the Innovation Fund (General Operating Fund), and endowment development. This role involves designing and implementing innovative fundraising strategies, managing donor relationships, and fostering community engagement to support systemic change in education, health equity, and sustainability.

Ideal candidates are entrepreneurial leaders with experience in development, donor cultivation, and strategic planning, driven by a passion for creating lasting change in underserved communities.

About the Ziebarth Center for Innovation

The Ziebarth Center for Innovation is a New Jersey 501(C)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating access and pathways for students from underserved urban neighborhoods to help them lead successful, self-sufficient, prosperous, and happy lives.

The Ziebarth Center operates with a transformative vision, aiming to redefine the role of non-profit organizations. In contrast to the traditional approach of solely addressing symptoms of larger societal issues, the Center seeks to go beyond surface-level solutions by acting as a hub for social innovation. Our goal is to generate groundbreaking ideas and programs that can fundamentally change the lives of those most at risk.

Our ultimate goal is to develop and execute programs that deliver substantial, lasting impact. By focusing on the root causes of societal issues rather than merely alleviating their symptoms, we aim to empower individuals and communities. Through our transformative initiatives, we seek to break cycles of vulnerability and create pathways to a more equitable and prosperous future.

Hours - Monday through Friday (office hours 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM), with after-school programming from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

About The Job

The Development Officer will lead the Ziebarth Center’s comprehensive fundraising efforts, securing sustainable funding through program-specific support, Innovation Fund (General Operating Fund) growth, and endowment development.

As part of a dynamic startup environment, this role requires an entrepreneurial leader who thrives in a fast-paced setting and is comfortable wearing multiple hats. The ideal candidate will be hands-on, resilient, and passionate about creating systemic change in underserved communities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising & Fund Management

• Partner with the President & CEO to design and implement strategies for program-specific funding, Innovation Fund growth, and endowment development

• Write compelling grant proposals, donor appeals, and impact reports

• Track and analyze fundraising metrics across all funding streams

• Ensure compliance with donor and grant reporting requirements

• Develop scalable revenue models to support program expansion and sustainability

Donor Relations & Communications

• Support the President & CEO in cultivating relationships with major donors across various giving opportunities

• Develop targeted communications tailored to donor segments and funding priorities

• Create persuasive cases for support, showcasing the impact of each funding stream

• Plan and execute donor recognition events and engagement programs

• Maintain comprehensive donor records and relationships

• Design and promote legacy giving initiatives for endowment growth

Strategic Development

• Design and implement multi-year fundraising strategies

• Identify and secure new funding opportunities, including partnerships with institutional funders

• Build and nurture relationships with philanthropic organizations, corporate sponsors, and individual donors

• Develop and manage planned giving programs and recurring donor campaigns

• Contribute to strategic growth planning, ensuring alignment with organizational goals
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required Business Administration, Communications, or related field

• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record in:

• Major gifts and grant acquisition

• Endowment and legacy giving campaigns

• Building sustainable operating fund models

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing and donor communication

• Strong understanding of nonprofit financial models and metrics

• Proficiency with donor database systems and campaign management tools

Additional Requirements

• Flexible schedule to accommodate evening hours and occasional weekend events

• Comfort with ambiguity and ability to create structure in a startup environment

• Valid driver’s license for local travel

• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred but not required

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision coverage

• Flexible PTO

• FSA/HSA

• Mental health benefits

• Parking/commuter stipend

• Retirement Plan (401(k) with employer matching, limited contributions)

• Team-building and employee engagement activities

This is an opportunity to contribute your fundraising expertise to an innovative organization working to transform educational and community outcomes across New Jersey. The ideal candidate will combine strategic fundraising expertise with entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for creating lasting positive change in urban communities