Description
Director of Development
About Western Center on Law and Poverty
For nearly 60 years, Western Center on Law and Poverty has led the fight to end poverty and secure housing, health care, a strong safety net, and racial and economic justice for all low-income Californians. Western Center brings about systemwide change through impact litigation; legislative, policy, and administrative advocacy at the state and federal level; and support for legal services and community-based organizations. With offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Oakland, we are California’s largest legal services support center. For more information, please visit our website: www.wclp.org.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director and based in the Los Angeles office, the Director of Development is the strategic force behind Western Center on Law & Poverty’s annual fundraising. In close partnership with the Executive Director, the Director of Development is responsible for raising philanthropic revenue to sustain the organization’s annual budget through individual giving, grants, special events, and institutional giving.
An integral member of Western Center’s leadership team, the Director of Development will ensure clarity and collaboration between the development team, legal advocates, and the finance department. Under the Director’s leadership, Western Center’s development department will integrate Community Centric Fundraising principles across all fundraising functions and remain informed about local and national trends in philanthropy. The Director will also ideate, plan, and organize fundraising activities to build a donor community that aligns with our organization’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice.
Western Center’s Director of Development will manage a team of at least three (3) FTEs responsible for prospect research, volunteer engagement, grant writing, corporate sponsorship solicitation, pledge redemption, donor cultivation, and external communications. In partnership with the communications staff, the Director of Development will collaborate on content creation and marketing initiatives designed to elevate the profile of Western Center, articulate mission impact, and provide updates to stakeholders. Additionally, the Director will compose compelling fundraising campaigns that inspire support across the full scope of Western Center’s legal work.
The successful candidate will have broad nonprofit fundraising and leadership experience and be a champion for racial equity, centering justice and community in external relationships, internal policies and procedures, and the overall framing of development activities.
Responsibilities
Development Strategy
Develop and execute a multifaceted fundraising strategy that enables the development department to meet annual philanthropic revenue targets of $5.2M for grants and contracts, $460,000 for individual giving, and $525,000 for events. Sustain and grow the organization’s pipeline of individual, foundation, government, and corporate constituents in alignment with Western Center’s economic and racial justice values. Track fundraising metrics including overall donor count, identification of new prospects, cumulative giving, average donation size, donor retention, major gift proposals submitted, new gifts, monthly donors, and multiyear pledges. Manage the department’s annual budget, including forecasting philanthropic revenue. Facilitate donor engagement outreach and activities for the organization’s lead solicitors, including the Executive Director, Board Chair, and Development Committee of the Board of Directors.
Leadership
Serve as a member of the organization’s leadership team and collaborate to align fundraising activities with strategic goals. Supervise and manage a team of three FTEs (Associate Director of Foundation Relations, Development Coordinator, and Events Manager), empowering team members to execute fundraising plans effectively and efficiently. Serve as the primary contact for the Development Committee of the Board of Directors, including facilitating regular committee meetings. Maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders to advance organizational goals. Foster a culture of fundraising and philanthropy across the organization.
Fundraising and Events
Develop inspiring and cohesive campaigns, appeals, and special events to solicit and increase unrestricted revenue from individuals, institutions, donor advised funds, and corporations. Manage a personal portfolio of regional and national donors, ensuring high-quality engagement and stewardship.
Secure meetings with prospective donors and make direct, face-to-face solicitations. Coordinate and oversee donor identification, cultivation, and solicitation activities. Create customized opportunities to connect prospective donors with strategic funding priorities. Oversee grant solicitation from foundations, corporations, and government entities, including proposals, budgets, case statements, and funder site visits. Manage proactive systems to ensure stewardship of all gifts, grants, and in-kind support. Oversee gift processing, monthly reconciliation, and donor database management, ensuring data integrity and compliance with audit standards. Collaborate with the Communications Director to develop donor facing materials and boost awareness of fundraising activities and community engagement opportunities.
Other duties as assigned.
Compensation
This fulltime, salaried position is based in our Los Angeles office.
The salary range is $140,000 – $175,000.
Western Center provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; retirement plan with employer contributions and a modest match; generous leave policies; vacation; and full pay office closure during December holidays. We also provide opportunities and support for professional development and growth.
To Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter to hr@wclp.org.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to those received by February 27, 2026.
Applicants requiring accommodations for any part of the application or interview process may email HR@wclp.org. All requests will be kept confidential and handled promptly in accordance with applicable law.
Western Center strives for a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others from underrepresented groups whose experiences may contribute to effectively representing low-income and underserved communities.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
Requirements
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
At least 10 years of managerial level fundraising experience, including soliciting and securing five and six figure gifts.
Demonstrated expertise in fundraising strategy development and execution.
Excellent interpersonal, relationship building, leadership, and management skills.
Deep commitment to economic and racial justice, embedding equity in internal practices and organizational culture.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a willingness to make “cold calls” to cultivate and close charitable gifts.
Ability to collaborate with and motivate diverse constituencies including major donors, community leaders, colleagues, and volunteers.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing tasks and maintain attention to detail.
Ability to present information logically and compellingly for varied audiences.
Proficiency with donor management systems and data driven decision-making.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Integrity: Leads with alignment between values, ethics, words, and actions; fosters trust; demonstrates courage in decision-making.
Resourcefulness: Approaches challenges with creativity, initiative, persistence, and a growth mindset.
Justice: Applies an equity lens to decisions and systems to address structural barriers and historical injustices.
Empathy & Belonging: Creates environments of care, dignity, and inclusion where all individuals feel valued and safe.
Strategic & Adaptive Thinking: Balances long-term vision with the ability to pivot as environments shift.
Clear & Direct Communication: Communicates transparently, respectfully, and with purpose to build trust and promote excellence.
