Job Announcement: Development Officer

ABOUT WE MAKE THE FUTURE

We Make The Future and We Make the Future Action (WMTF/A) is an implementation home for the Race Class Narrative (RCN) and other empirically based messaging research. We integrate strategic communications with coalition building to drive legislative, electoral and cultural progress. By collaborating with researchers, content creators, and community-based organizations, we help social justice leaders tell compelling, evidence-based stories that advance a better future for people of all races, abilities, and genders.

We execute our work via three core pillars.

1. Support and fund participatory research and messaging development - Commission and guide evidence-based public opinion research that builds a multiracial movement. This research centers People of Color while also motivating and persuading as many white people as possible on our solutions.

2. Recruit and build alignment among partner organizations at the national, state, and local level - Create a community of aligned movement organizations at the local, state, and national level who can be the repeaters of a shared narrative and messaging that addresses race and class.

3. Implement research by creating and adapting content for organizing, communications, and policy - Create a bridge between research and implementation, by working with partners to produce, distribute, and inspire content for their respective communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a dynamic and strategic Development Officer to join our team. This position is responsible for overseeing the entire grant cycle—from research and funder cultivation to application and reporting—ensuring that WMTF/A meets all funder commitments and stays on track. They play a key role in ensuring the organization is financially sustainable. The Development Officer will work closely with the Co-Executive Directors to ensure WMTF/A attracts and maintains donors that support our strategic plans.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibility of this Development Officer is to develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan that includes major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, and special events.

Drive Fundraising Strategy & Prospecting (~25%):

Partner with the Co-Executive Directors to create a fundraising strategic plan for the next 3-5 years.
Lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive prospecting plan, overseeing the research and identification of potential new funding partners to meet the short and long term strategic needs of the organization.
Track ongoing progress to fundraising goals, assess progress, and troubleshoot as needed.
Collaborate with team members to leverage their insights in creating compelling grant proposals, reports, and fundraising materials, while identifying impactful stories and highlights to attract new donors and expand our support base.

Deepen Current Foundation Partnerships (~50%):

Direct a portfolio of existing and new foundations, corporate, and individual relationships to meet annual fundraising goals by end of fiscal year.
Serve as the primary point of contact to foundation partners, ensuring responsiveness, strengthening relationships, and keeping them informed of our work.
Serve as a thought partner and support to the Co-EDs to ensure their time is best leveraged in fundraising, primarily around donor cultivation and stewardship.
Schedule, prep, and accompany Co-EDs and other staff for funder meetings, so they are equipped to deliver compelling and effective pitches, updates, and report-outs.
Represent WMTF/A at key donor and foundation meetings and events and collaborate with Co-EDs and other staff to design briefings for foundations and other external stakeholders.
Own all grant writing, reporting, and other materials to keep our funders informed and engaged in our work
Work with team members to incorporate their insights into grant writing, reporting, fundraising materials, and external communications, and to surface impactful highlights and stories.

Grants Administration & Tracking (15%):

Develop and maintain accurate donor data and grant management systems to ensure timely follow through on communications and commitments.
Oversee tracking and documentation of grant deliverables
Maintain a calendar of grant proposals and reporting deadlines and ensure that all submitted grant materials are accurate and comply with funder requirements
Work collaboratively with the State Power Fund to monitor and report on development campaigns—including income, pledges, projections, and variances—and ensure Co-EDs are regularly updated.

Organizational Leadership (10%)

Serve as a strategic thought partner and helper to Co-EDs on all issues related to development
Serve as a helpful resource and support to other staff, provide guidance and feedback, “manage by influence” effectively
Ensure strong collaboration and coordination with other teams and staff as needed
Participate in team meetings, email and Slack discussions, retreats, and other internal coordination and management meetings.
Model organizational core values and foster a learning culture among the WMTF/A team

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of required activities, duties, or responsibilities. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The Development Officer Must Have…

Fundraising Expertise & Drive

Proven track record of structuring ambitious fundraising goals into clear, achievable development plans that deliver ~$3M+ annual budgets.
Understanding and analysis of fundraising and movement landscapes in relation to power building organizations, likely gained from 5+ years of fundraising leadership in movement building organizations (grassroots, labor, or community organizing)
Established donor connections and a hunger to seek and pursue new leads and connections
Persistence and strategic savvy to seek new fundraising pathways and opportunities in a challenging funding environment.

People & Project Management

Self-directed and able to design, launch, and manage projects across the organization.
Experience partnering with busy ED’s and team heads to collaboratively move fundraising efforts forward
Juggles a high volume of multiple complex streams of work in a fast-paced remote environment, making smart judgment calls on where to prioritize.
Results-driven problem solver that gathers information, seeks input, and drives work forward to the finish line.

Relationship Building

Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills with the ability to engage with diverse audiences (across race, gender, and other identities) and communicate openly with coworkers, partners, and donors
Responsive and dependable: Gets back to people in a timely manner. Takes pride in providing clear, helpful information.

Strong Written & Verbal Communication Skills

Adept storyteller with the ability to develop a compelling pitch (both written and verbally) tailored to the interests/needs of a particular audience or stakeholder
Ability to capture the “voice” of WMTF, produce high-quality written materials
Attention to detail: Notices and fixes errors that others might overlook

Mission & Values Alignment

Innovative & Entrepreneurial: Driven to try new things, think creatively, take risks.
Brings humility & growth mindset: commitment to learning, experimentation, and evolution.
Ability to reflect on and describe the impact of one’s own identities—and those of others—in a given situation, decision, or process and is able to hear, reflect, act on, and learn from feedback re: identity and equity.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with applicants encouraged to apply by 11:59pm PT on March 20, 2026, for a start date in May or June of 2026.

To apply, please email jobs@wemakethefuture.us with your resume attached. You may also include a sample of your work (optional) and a cover letter that addresses the following:

1. "What interests you about this role?"

2. "Describe an experience that demonstrates your ability to proactively attract new funders to an organization."

3. "Provide up to three of your most recent fundraising campaigns and the amount each raised."

The application process itself will likely consist of one 30-minute interview, one skills test and one 60-minute interview. Applicants who are invited to take the skills test and complete it will be compensated for their time.

Questions about this position or the application process (including any requests for reasonable accommodations) can be sent to jobs@wemakethefuture.us.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This is a full-time salaried position with an annual salary between $100,000 - $126,000.
This is a remote position.
Limited in-state and national travel is required. Some weekend and evening hours will be required
Work-related expenses are reimbursed according to policy
Our strong benefits package includes healthcare, dental, and vision, retirement matching, professional development opportunities, paid family leave, a flexible work environment and a generous vacation allowance
This position will report to a Co-Director of WMTF/A
Because this position includes access to financial and other confidential information, WMTF/A requires a background check.

In order to counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, salaries are non-negotiable beyond the listed range for new and current employees. Similarly, there are no title negotiations. Staff are eligible for salary increases and promotions during the annual performance evaluation process.

We Make the Future and We Make the Future Action provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without 4 regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, criminal history, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We believe that marginalized communities must be centered in the work we do and strongly encourage all qualified candidates to apply.