The Director of Development will be the first full-time fundraising professional at PowerLines, a rapidly expanding national nonprofit dedicated to advancing energy affordability and regulatory reform. In this pivotal remote role, you will design and lead a comprehensive major donor fundraising strategy, serving as a strategic partner to the Founder and Executive Director to scale the organization’s annual philanthropic support to $5–10 million.
What You'll Do
- Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy focused on family foundations, family offices, donor advised funds, and high-net-worth/ultra-high-net-worth individuals
- Collaborate with executive leadership to integrate fundraising goals with organizational planning and budgeting
- Maintain relationships with institutional funders for PowerLines
- Identify and research new potential donors with capacity and affinity to support PowerLines
- Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective donors through thoughtful cultivation plans
- Research and vet new prospective donors that are identified through PowerLines' participation in conferences and events
- Support Founder and Executive Director in funder meetings, pitches, and other fundraising opportunities, including development of briefing materials, as needed
- Convert PowerLines' policy and media wins into actionable fundraising opportunities
- Lead planning and execution of PowerLines dinners, small gatherings, and other events to support fundraising
- Attend conferences and events with the objective of meeting new prospective donors
- Manage stewardship and renewal of existing foundation, family office, and individual donor support, ensuring timely and meaningful engagement
- Make direct asks for potential funder contributions
- Build authentic, long-term relationships with funders through regular communication, thank-you notes, follow-ups, events, and personalized outreach
- Oversee development-related communications including donor updates, briefings, memos, newsletters, and impact reports
- Develop databases, CRM, and processes to ensure efficient and accurate tracking of donor relationships
- Lead development of grant proposals for family foundations, family offices, donor-advised funds, and high-net worth individuals in collaboration with Founder and Executive Director
- Oversee grant lifecycle after initial development, tracking reporting requirements, amendments, and renewals as needed
- Collaborate with other PowerLines team members to prepare compelling materials—presentations, concept papers, proposals, budgets, and reports—that reflect PowerLines’ mission and strategic priorities
- Design and implement systems that can scale as the development team grows
- Support onboarding and mentoring of additional fundraising staff as hired
What We're Looking For
- Experienced fundraiser with a proven track record in major gift fundraising
- Demonstrated success in securing philanthropic support from family foundations, family offices, donor advised funds, and high-net-worth/ultra-high-net-worth individuals
- Ability to build and lead a fundraising strategy from the ground up
- Strong strategic partnership skills to work closely with the Founder and Executive Director
- Experience in donor cultivation, stewardship, and relationship management
- Experience developing grant proposals and managing the full grant lifecycle
- Ability to convert organizational achievements (e.g., media and policy wins) into fundraising opportunities
- Experience planning and executing donor-facing events such as dinners and small gatherings
- Proficiency in CRM systems and donor database management
- Ability to make direct asks and manage high-level donor conversations
- Willingness to travel up to 30%
Nice to Have
- Experience working in nonprofit, policy, advocacy, or think tank environments
- Familiarity with energy policy, utility regulation, or economic affordability issues
- Existing network of donors or funders in the philanthropic, policy, or energy sectors
- Experience hiring and mentoring development staff
- Background in a startup or high-growth nonprofit environment
Technical Stack
- CRM systems
- Donor databases
- Microsoft Office Suite or Google Workspace
- Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)
- Email and communication platforms
Team & Environment
- Part of a growing national nonprofit; exact team size not specified
- Flat, mission-driven organization with direct reporting to Founder and Executive Director
Benefits & Compensation
- Opportunity to shape the financial foundation of a rapidly growing national nonprofit
- Work on one of the most pressing economic issues facing American households
- Remote work with flexibility
- Travel opportunities to engage with donors and policymakers
- Collaborative and mission-driven work environment
- Exposure to high-impact media and policy conversations
- Partnerships with national organizations such as the National Governors Association and Western Governors Association
- Recognition in national media outlets including New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, TIME, and others
Work Mode
Remote position with headquarters in Washington, DC; up to 30% travel expected.
PowerLines is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of background or identity.
