Development Consultant
Acceleraise Corporation
New Orleans, LA
Anticipated Start Date: January 1, 2024
Description
Acceleraise is seeking Development Consultants who are deeply committed to advancing equity and supporting Black- and Brown-led nonprofits. This role is as demanding as it is rewarding, with a focus on fostering strong, trusting relationships with funders and partner clients. As a Development Consultant, you will serve as the lead strategist for a set of nonprofit partners, guiding them in securing the funding needed to fuel their missions.
Amid an unprecedented retreat of racial equity-focused philanthropy, your work will be critical in helping these organizations navigate uncertainty, adapt to funding changes, and drive sustainable growth. You’ll collaborate closely with your work group and report to the Vice President, creating impact through every project, meeting, and strategic initiative. This role goes beyond tasks and deliverables; it’s about creating sustainable growth and meaningful impact that strengthens communities and supports transformative change.
Responsibilities
As a Development Consultant at Acceleraise, you’ll be part of a collaborative consulting work group led by a Senior Consultant or VP. With support from a prospect researcher and grant writer, your work group will manage a dynamic portfolio of approximately 10 to 13 nonprofit partner clients. Partner clients typically engage with Acceleraise on 12-month contracts, with many continuing their work year after year. In this role, you will collaborate in a work group on both strategy and deliverables for the clients in the portfolio.
Your responsibilities will include:
Customizing strategies to fit each partner’s unique mission and goals, ensuring they’re positioned for sustainable growth. Raising essential funds to support the financial sustainability, growth, and strategic goals of partner clients. Facilitating meetings with partner clients and funders to drive engagement and maintain momentum. Tracking and monitoring progress on fundraising initiatives, adjusting tactics as needed to stay aligned with best practices and partner needs. Success in this role is measured by the quality, results, and impact you achieve for each partner client, with specific attention to the effectiveness of your strategies and partner satisfaction. A Week-in-the-Life of a Development Consultant Meet Taylor, a Development Consultant who has been with Acceleraise for one year, helping nonprofits amplify their missions and navigate complex funding landscapes.
As the lead consultant for several nonprofit clients, Taylor’s week is shaped by each organization’s unique needs and strategic goals. On Monday, Taylor begins with a last-minute opportunity to pitch a major funder on behalf of a client in their portfolio—a youth mentorship nonprofit focused on career readiness. Coordinating with their work group and the Central Services team, Taylor gathers insights, refines the presentation, and aligns the pitch with the funder’s priorities. Later, Taylor leads a planning session with a local charter school, brainstorming ways to incorporate recent data on student engagement and academic outcomes into a multi-year grant strategy.
Together, they outline actionable steps to secure funding for expanded after-school programs and additional resources for teachers. Midweek, Taylor receives exciting news: another client’s proposal just secured the largest grant in their organization’s history. In a follow-up call, Taylor and the client reflect on the strategic approach they developed together, celebrating how this funding will allow the nonprofit to expand job training programs for underserved communities. Taylor then collaborates with the prospect researcher in their work group, identifying high-potential funders for an arts education nonprofit aiming to enhance creative opportunities for local youth.
Later that night, Taylor logs in at 12AM to submit a grant proposal for another client. Their prospect research revealed that only the first 20 applications would be reviewed, so Taylor makes sure their client’s proposal is among the first in line—a key step to ensure the application is competitive. As the week wraps up, Taylor reviews each client’s progress, updating grant timelines, identifying next steps, and coordinating with their work group to ensure seamless support. They prepare detailed notes for upcoming client meetings, outlining key objectives to keep each nonprofit on track toward its goals. At Acceleraise, Taylor’s role isn’t just about completing tasks; it’s about creating sustainable frameworks that empower nonprofits to secure the resources needed to thrive long-term.
Requirements
The following experience is necessary to succeed in this role. Candidates without this experience will not be considered. Commitment to racial equity and Acceleraise’s mission to develop, support, and sustain visionary Black and Brown-led nonprofit organizations. Experience supporting or fundraising for equity-focused initiatives. 3–5+ years of fund development experience. Extensive experience writing grant proposals and grant reports.
Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, funders, and community stakeholders. Experience managing multiple, complex projects involving diverse stakeholders, including those outside of direct reporting lines. Strong skills in “managing up,” effectively communicating progress and needs to leadership and key stakeholders. A demonstrable, measurable history of successfully raising money for nonprofit organizations. Familiarity with project management platforms (preferred but not required).
Additional Experience
Fundraising for New Orleans Schools Candidates with multiple years of development experience in a New Orleans public, charter, or private K-12 school and deep familiarity with the funders, people, and processes who support local schools will be given special consideration.
Successful Candidate Qualities
Successful candidates can answer “Yes” to all of the following questions:
Do you thrive on building relationships and connecting people to achieve shared goals? Are you frequently praised for your exceptional writing skills, with colleagues often seeking your guidance to improve their own work? Are you a tech-savvy professional who leverages generative AI tools to enhance efficiency and quality in your work? Are you obsessed with quality and impact in your work?
Are you committed to delivering top-quality, impactful results that leave stakeholders satisfied and engaged? Do you love coaching and teaching others about fundraising and development topics? Are you adaptable and dynamic, able to easily transition between high-level strategy and detailed execution? Are you deeply motivated to support Black and Brown visionary leaders in achieving their missions?
Do you take initiative in solving problems and finding information, minimizing the need for others to step in, while building a solid foundation before seeking input? Do you balance taking initiative with knowing when to ask for help, approaching your work with curiosity and seeking clarification early to ensure alignment and understanding?
Salary Range and Employee Benefits
New Orleans, LA (applicants must be local to the New Orleans area or willing to relocate)
Start Date: January 2025
Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000
Benefits: Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance Flexible spending account (FSA) Flexible work policy 401(k) plan with 3% employer contribution and 100% immediate employee vesting 8 weeks (40 days) of annual paid time off (Note that Acceleraise does not observe holidays; however, employees may utilize PTO as they see fit to observe the holidays of their choosing.)
Up to 14 weeks unpaid leave of absence for family leave or emergency medical conditions (Employee benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, continue during a leave of absence) Annual professional development stipend
How to Apply for this Job
Send your resume to hiring@acceleraisecorp.com along with a brief note (1500 characters max) describing why you would succeed in this role.
About the Organization
Our team specializes in fundraising, board development, and strategic consulting for nonprofits. The approach is simple: your mission is our mission.
WOC is not responsible for the content of job postings.
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