Director of Development at New Roots Institute

By Operations@NewRootsInstitute @ 2025-08-05T20:03 (+1)

Empowering the Next Generation to End Factory Farming: What would it mean to you if you could dedicate your time, talent, and energy to creating a more just and sustainable food system?

Working at New Roots Institute isn't a job for us; it's a commitment to a cause. We are a growing nonprofit dedicated to ending factory farming, and we are seeking a passionate and experienced director of development to join our team! 

Is New Roots Institute the right place for you? Here’s what to know about our expectations:

• We value having the opportunity to make a difference and don’t shy away from working hard.
• We continuously question our own biases and assumptions and adapt when we recognize we’re wrong. We’re looking for people who are self-aware and know how to put their ego aside to achieve shared goals.
• We're results-oriented, strive for excellence, and are looking for people who can say they never miss deadlines.
• Giving and receiving honest and direct feedback is foundational to our culture. We're looking for people who are eager to use constructive feedback to grow, and help others to grow, both personally and professionally.
• Because we work remotely, proactive communication and quick responses are key to building trust and working effectively together. We’re looking for people who excel at keeping everyone updated.
• We genuinely enjoy working together and look for ways to have fun, despite the tragic nature of what we are up against. Check out our Rotten Truth series on YouTube to see how we use humor to grapple with the grim reality of factory farming.

In this role, you will:

• In collaboration with senior management and the board, create and implement strategic, data-driven fundraising plans that are consistent with the goals set forth by the organization.
• Oversee effective systems for donor data tracking, reporting, and hygiene.
• Coordinate with the communications, programs, and research & development departments to ensure evergreen metrics, impact reporting, and stories of our work are clear, consistent, and effective.
• Develop compelling, donor-ready proposals that clearly communicate the organization’s identified growth opportunities and concomitant funding needs.
• Customize messaging to highlight impact and specific funding needs within key cause areas, including environment, youth development, and animal rights.
• Lead the production of quarterly and annual reports by synthesizing organizational activities and impact, surfacing the most compelling narratives, and aligning content with overall strategy.
• Develop and maintain a month-by-month fundraising strategy and calendar to ensure clarity on priorities and milestones. Provide tactical direction to the growing development department.
• Manage and grow the primary portfolio of current major donors and prospects, conducting strategic visits and touchpoints throughout the year, and attending events.
• Participate in senior management, collaborating with other directors in regular meetings to ensure organizational alignment, surface strategic tensions, and help shape the direction of the organization.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director, identifying which fundraising activities require the ED’s direct involvement and ensuring their time is focused only where their role is most impactful.

This role requires someone who:

Has at least five years of experience directly supervising a team and a strong track record in fundraising, including securing major gifts. Demonstrates a commitment to supporting team members with clear priorities, honest and direct feedback, and professional development.

• Can turn big-picture goals into clear, compelling fundraising messages that resonate with foundations and institutional funders.
• Writes clearly and persuasively, using data and storytelling to build strong cases for support.
• Can manage complex projects and timelines, keeping fundraising work organized, on track, and proactive.
• Understands how foundation and institutional fundraising works, from relationship-building to proposal writing and reporting.
• Works well with others, especially senior leaders and program staff, and can give clear direction to their team.
• Is comfortable using data and research to shape fundraising strategies and communicate impact.

Other requirements: 

• Shared vegan and anti-speciesist values. No one on our team consumes animals or animal products or believes that non-human animals can ethically be treated as resources for human use.
• Ability to commit to attending the annual in-person team meeting, which typically takes place during the last full week of August (Monday through Friday), but may shift to the first week of June.

This is a full-time, remote position with a salary of $93,000 per year, plus a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance; and unlimited PTO.

We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, especially those who identify as Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and people from the global majority. Please note that we are only considering applicants based in the United States at this time.

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To apply:

Please click this link to tell us why you are interested in New Roots Institute and to submit your resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We hope to fill this position as soon as possible.