Director of Development

ABOUT AI4ALL

AI4ALL is a national nonprofit that is transforming the pipeline of AI practitioners and creating a more inclusive, human-centered discipline. We empower students to be AI Changemakers by cultivating an environment where they develop skills in critical thinking and relationship-building, and expertise in responsible AI. 

To accomplish this, we seek students from communities that have been excluded in the AI space. Then we help them build identity in the field, and tap into their own agency and initiative as they build technical and leadership skills. While all are welcome to apply, AI4ALL prioritizes students whose race, gender, or ethnicity has been historically excluded from AI: Black, Hispanic and Latinx, and Indigenous folks; and women and non-binary folks. Our programs run in partnership with colleges and universities around North America.

We are launching the diverse next generation of AI changemakers through education, ethics, and relationship-driven networks. AI4ALL has received funding from Melinda Gates/Pivotal Ventures, Prudential Financial, Accenture, General Motors, and SoftBank among others and has been featured in the New York Times, TIME, CNN, The Washington Post, USA Today, and The Atlantic. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Development will lead and scale AI4ALL’s comprehensive fundraising strategy, ensuring alignment with the organization’s long-term goals. This key leadership role will establish and operationalize the organization’s development function, including nurturing and expanding relationships, growing fundraising programs, and optimizing systems to drive AI4ALL’s impact exponentially. This is a pivotal opportunity to build a development department from the ground up.

The Director of Development will partner with the CEO to craft and execute a multi-channel fundraising strategy aimed at raising up to $5M in 2025, with plans to grow beyond $10M thereafter. They will play a crucial role in expanding AI4ALL’s donor base across corporate, individual, and foundation giving, while also identifying and securing funding for innovative initiatives. The Director will also engage with the board of directors to drive fundraising efforts at the highest level.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a diversified, comprehensive fundraising strategy across corporate, foundation, government, and individual giving to support both immediate and long-term organizational goals.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, advising on fundraising opportunities and execution.
• Build and maintain a dynamic pipeline for high-impact fundraising opportunities, managing projections and forecasting against annual fundraising goals.
• Establish a project management framework for tracking fundraising activities and progress, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Lead cross-functional coordination to align internal teams, the board, and external stakeholders in support of fundraising efforts.
• Create and manage annual fundraising budgets, providing analysis and performance reporting. 
• Adapt and evolve strategies based on data insights, market conditions, and organizational needs.

Donor Development & Stewardship

• Lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of key donors, including individual annual, mid-level, and planned giving prospects. 
• Design and implement  a comprehensive donor relations program that prioritizes personalized engagement, responsive communication, and consistent stewardship.
• Foster positive relationships with donors, ensuring sustained engagement and funding by maintaining contact and proactively educating donors on outcomes and results of AI4ALL’s efforts. 
• Craft innovative retention and growth strategies to deepen relationships with existing donors while expanding outreach to new prospects.

Branding and Marketing

• Partner with marketing and communications to ensure consistent and compelling brand messaging and adherence across all development materials.
• Builds upon a branding strategy to craft tailored pitches and collateral that resonate with various donor segments, leveraging insights on donor interests and values, and AI4ALL’s mission.
• Conducts thorough research on prospective donors to customize pitches, aligning fundraising efforts with broader organizational goals and funding opportunities.

Team Leadership & Management

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing development team, including future hires and existing staff, such as a part-time grant writer. 
• Provide support, guidance, and professional development opportunities for team members, cultivating a collaborative and results-oriented culture.
• Oversee the grant writing process, ensuring proposals align with organizational priorities to secure support from corporate, private foundations, and government agencies.
• Participate in preparing Board meeting materials, and serve as staff resource for the Board’s Fundraising Committee. 
• Contribute to continued growth of the organization through team development, participation in team discussions and Board of Directors decisions. 

WHO YOU ARE

The Director of Development is thoroughly committed to AI4ALL’s strategy and mission, and should have a demonstrated track record of consistently delivering against fundraising goals. 

Specific requirements include:

• 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising and development experience, including a proven record of meeting or exceeding ambitious fundraising targets in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with a history of closing gifts of $500,000+.
• Strong existing network within the philanthropic and corporate sectors, with a focus on social impact and sustainability. Artificial intelligence and/or Technology Education experience is a plus.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders including donors, partners, and board members.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messaging and serve as a spokesperson for the organization.
• Proficiency with fundraising applications using available data to perform comprehensive donor data analysis and reporting (Google Workspace, Excel and Salesforce). Knowledge of QuickBooks is a plus. 
• Strong understanding of data utilization and management, as well as the effective
  use of fundraising technology and data for strategic operations and decision-making.
• Experience leading and managing a diverse and geographically distributed team with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, delegate responsibility, and inspire, engage and motivate staff.
• A growth mindset and entrepreneurial spirit, eager to innovate, iterate, and drive continuous improvement in fundraising strategies and outcomes.

We’d prefer candidates who:

• Are passionate about increasing diversity and inclusion in artificial intelligence.
• Thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment; adaptability is key.
• Have experience working with populations who have been historically excluded from the AI sector.

In addition, AI4ALL staff embody a commitment to our values of inclusion, humanity, technology, agency, learning, and education.  

We know there is research that shows women and minorities are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t have all of the key skills for a position. AI4ALL encourages candidates with some, but not all, of the skills listed in the job description to apply. 

WHAT WE OFFER

AI4All strives to be an employer-of-choice, we offer:

• A target starting salary of $115,000 - $130,000 per year. To determine starting pay, we consider multiple job-related factors including a candidate’s skills, education and experience, market demand, business needs, and internal parity.
• A comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance program.
• Simple IRA with up to 3% matching contributions.
• Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 9 sick days, 12 holidays, a one-week December closure, and up to 4 paid wellness days off per year.
• Generous stipends for Professional Development and for home office.
• A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization.
• An organizational culture and work-life balance that supports staff well-being.
• Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND LOCATION

AI4ALL has transitioned to a remote-first organization, enabling staff from across the country to work together in a virtual environment. However, we highly value in-person collaboration and hold occasional in-person meetings and staff retreats to foster deeper connections and teamwork.

• We’d love for this position to preferably be based out of the New York City metro area, although we are willing to consider applicants with strong qualifications in another location.
• This role includes occasional travel to meet in person with partners, board members, and staff members.
• Work is performed both independently and collaboratively. Work is performed on a computer, requires almost constant use of a keyboard, mouse, or other pointing device and may be performed sitting or standing.

EEO STATEMENT

AI4ALL is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce at all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits and termination. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

TO APPLY

If this sounds like you, please apply here and include a cover letter that describes what excites you most about the opportunity to help AI4ALL grow its development function, and how your professional background has prepared you to lead development efforts.