Development Manager (100% Remote)

Hours: Full time, Salaried, Exempt

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Compensation: $70,000–$75,000, depending on experience, plus benefits* (including flexible PTO)

*Please see the "Application Process and Timeline section below for application instructions; not accepting applications through LinkedIn directly.*

About Fresh Food Connect

Fresh Food Connect (FFC) is on a mission to grow a more local and resilient food system by connecting gardeners with their community. Our vision is homegrown food within reach. Through our mobile app, we harness the power of local gardeners by facilitating the donation of their surplus produce to frontline hunger relief programs in their own neighborhoods. In 2024, the FFC network facilitated the donation of over 85,000 pounds of homegrown food, which was distributed to nearly 50,000 people facing food insecurity through our network of Operating Partners. These donations equated to 70,000+ meals, $427,000 in grocery savings, and prevented 27 tons of carbon emissions by diverting food that might have otherwise gone to waste.

Position Overview

FFC is seeking a Development Manager to build, refine and expand our fundraising efforts across multiple revenue streams—grants, individual giving, corporate partnerships, and earned revenue. This is a new and evolving position, offering flexibility for the successful candidate to help shape priorities within the areas outlined below, based on their strengths and interests. Historically, the CEO has led all fundraising efforts, supported by a part-time contract grant writer. While the CEO will remain actively involved in fundraising across all avenues, especially donor engagement and fundraising strategy, the Development Manager will take on increasing ownership of key areas over time, working with the CEO to refine responsibilities as the role evolves. The Development Manager will collaborate with the current contract grant writer and partner with other departments to strengthen our fundraising strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Grants Collaboration and Reporting (30%)

• Coordinate with the CEO on overall grant strategy to identify and prioritize opportunities.
• Partner with the part-time contract grant writer—currently overseen by the CEO, with potential for the Development Manager to assume direct oversight—to ensure strong proposal development and timely submissions (submissions handled by the grant writer). Edit grant proposals and, as needed, write smaller grants or sections of larger proposals.
• Liaise with staff (e.g., operations, marketing) to gather data, articulate program goals, track outcomes, and meet grant deadlines.
• Own all interim and final grant reporting, including compiling results, writing, and submitting.
• Advise on major funder stewardship, with potential to take on key donor relationships over time.

Individual Giving (30%)

• Lead end-of-year fundraising campaigns (e.g. online appeals) and other annual appeals for individual donors, while collaborating with the CEO on major donor relationships.
• Grow and manage the “Sustaining Roots” monthly giving program (currently ~30 members), creating automated communications, tracking, and recognition processes.
• Conduct prospect research and donor profiling, ensuring major gift strategies align with fundraising goals.
• Develop donor cultivation processes, including personalized outreach, and follow-up.
• Support the CEO in building a structured major giving program, identifying and cultivating donors capable of larger contributions.

Development Operations (20%)

• Oversee gift processing, donor acknowledgments, and CRM management to maintain accurate records and efficient workflows.
• Streamline fundraising systems, improving automation and tracking.
• Coordinate 1–2 events annually, including grassroots-style fundraising or stewardship events (such as in-person garden tours, virtual donor roundtables, etc.).
• Monitor key fundraising metrics, such as donor retention and campaign ROI, to refine fundraising strategies.
• Support earned revenue tasks as needed, such as licensing fee renewals or pricing updates.
• Stay informed on best practices and fundraising trends, integrating them into FFC’s strategies.

Corporate Partnerships (15%)

• Develop and launch FFC’s corporate giving program, an untapped opportunity with strong growth potential.
• Engage potential corporate sponsors through targeted outreach and prospecting; lead initial conversations or escalate high-value opportunities to the CEO.
• Create compelling materials, including sponsorship proposals and pitch decks.
• Establish stewardship processes to build and maintain long-term, mutually beneficial connections.

Organizational (5%)

Support the overall goals and initiatives of the organization.

• Serve as a thought partner with the FFC team, contributing to strategic planning.
• Assist with other functions of the organization as needed or assigned
• Manage fundraising expenses in alignment with the approved budget

Travel/ Work Location

• 100% remote position with an annual in-person team retreat in Denver.
• Flexible hours, but with the majority of working hours to fall within 8am-6pm MT. Occasional evenings/weekends may be required.
• Applications are welcome from anywhere in the United States. Candidates in Denver, San Diego, or Seattle/Tacoma—or other areas where FFC operates—will have additional opportunities for deeper local engagement. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Required Skills and Experience

• At least 3–5 years of relevant experience, with a proven track record in nonprofit fundraising or related roles that involved managing relationships, securing funding, or building systems.
• Strong writing and editing skills, particularly for grants, donor communications, and proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to develop systems and processes to improve efficiency in fundraising.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• In addition to these qualifications, candidates must embody the qualities outlined in the "What We’re Looking For" section.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience launching or growing fundraising programs, such as individual giving, corporate giving, major donor pipelines, monthly giving programs, grant management, etc.
• Familiarity with CRM/database tools like HubSpot for donor tracking and segmentation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience in donor relations, including cultivating major donors.
• Ability to manage up, providing proactive communication, clear updates, and anticipating organizational needs.

What We’re Looking For | Essential Qualities

• Mission-driven and passionate about FFC’s innovative use of technology to strengthen local food systems.
• Thrives in an evolving, entrepreneurial environment, comfortable adapting to ambiguity.
• Detail-oriented and precise, ensuring every piece of work is polished and complete.
• A systems thinker, excited to build infrastructure, processes, and efficiencies from scratch.
• A proactive, strategic thinker, taking initiative, staying ahead of trends, and continuously growing expertise.
• Research-driven, exploring new strategies to enhance fundraising effectiveness.
• Creative and solutions-oriented, bringing innovative ideas to strengthen donor engagement and fundraising operations.
• Balances big-picture vision with detailed execution, prioritizing and managing tasks effectively.
• Collaborative yet independent, working with leadership while growing into greater autonomy.

*Benefits

FFC offers a flexible, supportive work environment. Benefits include trusted paid time off, 12+ company-wide paid holidays/year (including a Winter Holiday break), health insurance contributions with plan coordination (in Kaiser states), access to dental and vision insurance, a monthly remote work/home office stipend, professional development opportunities, and upcoming retirement account program.

Application Process & Timeline

To apply: Visit our website-- the application form you must complete is linked in the job description on our website-- by February 24, 2024. Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. *Early submissions are strongly encouraged.*

Process: Candidates will be contacted to participate in a short screening video call, followed by at least two additional video interviews. We anticipate a start date of March 17, 2024.

Fresh Food Connect values diversity and strives to maintain a talented, inclusive workforce where all team members feel valued. We seek diverse perspectives and skills, as they strengthen our organization and enhance our ability to serve communities. We strongly encourage individuals from historically underrepresented communities and those with lived experience of hunger to apply.

Not 100% qualified? If you’re up for the challenge, we want you to apply.