Books For Africa | St. Paul, MN
Salary Range: $60,000 - $80,000
About Books For Africa
Books For Africa (BFA) is the world’s largest shipper of donated books to Africa, dedicated to increasing literacy and education access across the continent. We are seeking a passionate and strategic Director of Development to lead fundraising, donor engagement, and marketing initiatives that will expand our global impact.
Position Summary
The Director of Development will design and implement fundraising strategies to meet annual revenue goals, cultivate and steward donor relationships, oversee major fundraising events, and lead marketing and communication efforts. This role plays a critical part in securing funding through grants, sponsorships, and individual donations while leveraging data analytics and technology to optimize fundraising performance.
In addition to donor development, this role involves high-level stakeholder engagement with African ambassadors, U.S. diplomats, and global leaders. The ideal candidate is a proactive and detail-oriented fundraising professional with expertise in donor relations, event management, marketing, and CRM systems such as Salesforce.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to grow revenue and donor engagement.
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation partners.
- Plan and manage high-profile fundraising and networking events.
- Lead grant prospecting, writing, and reporting efforts.
- Oversee digital and print marketing initiatives, ensuring cohesive donor communications.
- Manage donor and campaign data in Salesforce, producing reports for leadership and the Board of Directors.
- Build and strengthen relationships with international stakeholders, including African diplomats and U.S. government officials.
Qualifications – Required
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of three years of nonprofit development experience, with a strong understanding of donor cultivation and fundraising strategies.
- Passion for international development, literacy, and education.
- Strong experience using CRM/fundraising software in a nonprofit setting.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
- Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with teams, board members, and external partners.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel).
- Ability to attend in-person meetings in Minnesota at least once per week and travel for events as needed.
Qualifications – Preferred
- Experience using Salesforce.
- Background in international development, literacy, or education-focused initiatives.
- Event management experience.
- Experience in digital, print, and social media communications.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: $60,000 – $80,000 depending on experience
- Employer-paid health & dental insurance, long-term disability, and life insurance
- Generous PTO package and paid holidays
- 6% employer 401(k) contribution
- Flexible remote work option with required in-person meetings/events
This role offers a unique opportunity to lead development efforts at a global nonprofit making a tangible difference in literacy and education across Africa. If you are a fundraising professional eager to drive impact by blending strategic donor engagement and storytelling with technology and digital tools, we encourage you to apply!
To Apply
Submit cover letter and resume via email to:
Travis Ferguson, Director of Operations
travis@booksforafrica.org
Applications will be accepted through March 14, 2025.