Director of Development

The Director of Development will lead the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) fundraising strategy at a pivotal moment in the organization’s growth. In collaboration with the Executive leadership, the Director of Development will co-create and implement ambitious yet achievable strategies to sustain and grow the organization. Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, the Director of Development supervises the Grants Manager and fundraising contractors as well as leads collaborative fundraising efforts with all staff teams.

ABOUT US
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) is boldly leading the movement for truth, justice and healing for Indigenous peoples impacted by the U.S. Indian boarding schools. We are Indigenous led with 100% of the Board of Directors and Officers being Native American and Alaska Native.

●     We are a coalition of 1,600+ members and growing, including Tribal Nations, Tribal enrolled individuals, allies, and organizations.

●        We use our coalition voice to educate others about the truth of the Indian boarding school policies, experiences, and genocidal legacy.

●        We expose the truth about Indian boarding schools through research and education.

●        We advocate for accountability through policy change at all levels, including the call for a federal Truth and Healing Commission on Indian boarding schools.

●        We make resources available to raise awareness and support healing from the intergenerational trauma Native peoples continue to experience.

●        We publicly launched the National Indian Boarding School Digital Archive (NIBSDA) last year, a first-of-its kind Digital Asset Management System capable of organizing and displaying historical boarding school records and materials for every identified boarding school institution.

NABS budget for FY24-25 included expenditures of approximately $4.5 million and assets of $4.7 million. Forty-six percent of the current funding comes from foundations, 44% from government, Tribes and nonprofit associations, 5% from individual and organization donors, and 5% from other sources.

What You Will Do 
 Donor Relationships

●        Create and implement a comprehensive individual donor plan, including general annual fund and major donor campaigns to diversify revenue.

●        Manage a portfolio of donors while building and implementing a strategy to cultivate new small ($50) and large ($5,000+) donors.

●        Interact and network in the broader community, including Native communities, professional groups, corporate and philanthropic leaders, and current donors, to enhance development objectives.

●        Work collaboratively with NABS staff and Board of Directors to provide opportunities for donor engagement and information sharing.

Foundation Relationships

●        Develop and strategically plan with the Leadership Team all aspects of foundation prospecting.

●        Oversee the Grants Manager to ensure an annual grant calendar is kept up to date and all relevant reporting documentation is in place.

●        Lead Directors and staff in grant development, communications with funders and grant reporting.

●        With the Leadership Team and directors, secure $5 million in revenue annually.

●        Ensure all foundation and donor contact information is kept as a historical record of relationship networks.

Collaborative Organizational Relationships

●        Work closely with the Leadership Team to set annual targets and develop fundraising streams.

●        Support the Leadership Team and other staff in setting program goals and fundraising for NABS.

●        Build cross-organizational cohesiveness and a strong culture of shared responsibility for fundraising using effective interpersonal skills to collaborate with program staff.

●        Work closely with the board of directors to advance an annual strategy and cultivate organizational fundraising ambassadors.

WHAT YOU BRING

NABS is seeking candidates who are passionate about our mission, are highly proactive, and who can bring a clear vision to Development to support the work we do. While no one candidate will embody all of the qualifications below, our ideal candidate will bring:

Must-Haves

●        Knowledge of the Native American and Alaska Native boarding school history, legacy, and impacts. Understanding of intergenerational trauma and commitment to Indigenous sovereignty.

●        Proven fundraising success with 10 years of experience for 501(c)3 nonprofits, Tribal governments and/or Indigenous-led organizations.

●        Proven major gifts experience at $10,000+ level.

●        5+ years staff supervision and team leadership experience with the ability to coach for professional development.

●        Familiarity with and work experience in Native American communities.

●        Experience with grant writing, communicating with funders and preparing reports.

●        A goal-oriented and strategic mindset with the flexibility to respond to a changing philanthropic environment.

●        Highly motivated to build the organization with solid follow-through and the ability to stay organized among competing priorities and deadlines.

●        Funder relationships and knowledge of the landscape.

●        Exceptional written and verbal communication, editing, planning, and analytical skills with proficiency using the MS Office suite.

Nice-to-Haves

●        Experience training staff and board in fundraising techniques, grassroots fundraising strategy, and major donor work.

●        Graphic design and marketing skills.

●        CRM implementation and data management expertise.

To thrive in this role, the ideal candidate will be a clear communicator, adaptable, reliable, socially and emotionally intelligent, an inquisitive learner, and team and collaboration oriented, while being able to work independently.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position is salaried at $115,000 annually. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance with full premiums paid by NABS for the employee and 75% paid by NABS for dependents/partner, a 401(k) match up to 4% of salary, and paid family leave for qualifying events. Employees earn four weeks of paid time off each year and get paid winter break the last two weeks of December.

The successful candidate will work with a dynamic team committed to Native communities. We strongly encourage applications from Native peoples with experience working with Native communities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

●        This position is 40 hours a week with heavy computer use, and occasional evening and weekend hours.

●        Current staff are in Pacific, Central, Mountain and Eastern U.S. time zones.

●        This position is remote, with 20% travel to national conferences and fundraising events.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, priority will be given to those applications received by November 7, 2025. Submit your application via the Movement Talent Opportunity Board application portal:

https://recruitcrm.io/apply/17606457073830060944EnB

Applications must include the following in a single PDF:

●        Cover letter (no more than 1 page) answering the following questions:

     ○        Why are you interested in this position?

     ○        What values or lived experiences do you have that connect to our mission?

     ○        What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

●        Resume or Curriculum Vitae

●        Three professional references with titles, emails, phone numbers, and relationship to you

●        A writing sample related to a fundraising campaign you’ve led

NABS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a work environment free of all forms of discrimination, harassment, and violence. All employment and contracting decisions are based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs. NABS prioritizes work to empower and include people from Indigenous communities who have been impacted by U.S. Indian Boarding School policies. We are proud of our collaborative and wellness-focused culture where all people feel safe to bring their whole selves.  Our culture attracts top talent with shared values that form the foundation of a great work environment!