Development Director

About The Charlie Cart Project

The Charlie Cart Project was founded in 2015 to create an all-in-one food education program with the flexibility to be used anywhere, by anyone. Today, the organization works primarily with schools, libraries and food banks, which use the Charlie Cart to deliver hands-on cooking lessons and nutrition programs to their constituents. The result is an all-in-one program—a kitchen on wheels and a full curriculum with classroom-tested recipes—connecting the dots between food, health and the environment. The mission of the Charlie Cart Project is to equip the next generation with the knowledge and confidence to make healthy food choices through hands-on cooking. 

The Charlie Cart Project provides members a portable, compact mobile kitchen, along with a 54-lesson, K-5 curriculum aligned to Common Core standards, training and other ongoing programs, and access to a national network of food and nutrition educators to support their success. 

The Charlie Cart Project network spans more than 1,000 educators across 500 sites in 47 states. The network grows by roughly 10% each year. In this next phase of growth, the Charlie Cart Project will build on its success to understand how community-wide food education efforts impact consumption habits. 

Learn more about The Charlie Cart Project here. 

The Opportunity

The Development Director (Director) will be a key contributor the Charlie Cart Project’s next chapter of growth and support the organization in scaling in both size and impact. The Director will be responsible for the development and execution of the fundraising and development strategy through a variety of different revenue streams. An excellent relationship builder and steward, the Director will cultivate current and new relationships from foundation, individuals, and corporations. Working with a dynamic staff and Advisors, the Director will have access to networks waiting to be tapped. In anticipation of its 10-year anniversary campaign next year, the Charlie Cart Project will be launching an exciting suite of communications content, including a podcast, along with PR support. This initiative will create additional opportunities for the Director to leverage and gain visibility to increase its fundraising efforts.

The Director will report to the Executive Director and work with the Director of Operations and Strategic Partnerships in close collaboration to identify revenue opportunities from institutional and individual giving. The Director of Development will support the Charlie Cart Project’s ambitious goal to reach and impact 1 million children across the country by 2030. The Charlie Cart Project is looking for a strategic, creative, and innovative individual who is comfortable taking risks supporting a $2M and growing budget. The organization is financially sound with a strong earned income stream to complement contributed revenue. his is an exciting opportunity for a confident fundraiser eager to take ownership of a growing organization’s fundraising strategy.   

Candidate Profile

We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Connection to Mission 

• Articulate the importance of empowering communities with accessible culinary education programs.
• Inspire and motivate others to connect with and contribute to the mission of the Charlie Cart Project.
• Embrace an environment where team members feel valued and empowered to contribute ideas.
• Explore and consistently seek new and innovative ways to diversify revenue streams.  

Strategic Fundraising Leader

• Formulate a comprehensive multi-year growth plan for fundraising that supports the organization’s strategic vision for expansion and impact.
• Actively participate in high-level strategic discussions, contributing to the mission, vision, and values of the Charlie Cart Project.
• Establish ambitious fundraising goals and create an annual development plan that aligns with organizational priorities and strategic vision.
• Develop and implement robust metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising and outreach activities, ensuring continuous improvement and success.

Development and Communications 

• Develop comprehensive stewardship and cultivation plans for all donors, including creating an annual calendar for ongoing donor engagement and touch points.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts from individual, foundation, and corporate donors, both independently and in collaboration with staff and Board Members.
• Execute solicitations, grant proposals, and corporate partnership strategies in line with the overall fundraising plan.
• Plan and manage events that support fundraising objectives, ensuring seamless execution and maximum impact.
• Produce comprehensive impact reports and other essential fundraising materials, managing external vendors for design and production to maintain high quality.
• Regularly review and update the website to ensure that messaging aligns with fundraising objectives and effectively communicates the mission.

Finance and Database Management

• Develop and manage the fundraising budget, ensuring alignment with the organization's financial goals and strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Director of Operations on annual planning and budgeting, contributing to the strategic financial planning of the organization.
• Manage and produce financial reports for donors, including the creation of an annual report, to maintain transparency and foster trust.
• Oversee, maintain, and maximize the donor database in Salesforce, ensuring accurate and comprehensive data tracking.

In addition, strong candidates will offer:

• Commitment and connection to the mission of the Charlie Cart Project.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written and a persuasive and confident speaker.
• A sense of humor and flexible, adaptable work style.
• Be a proactive and creative problem solver.
• A thorough understanding of the nonprofit fundraising landscape.
• Have a demonstrated track record in developing and meeting fundraising goals.
• Be a team player, able to work well with a diverse work force and customer base.
• Excellent computer skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Suite and CRM tools. 

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $130,000. 

Contact

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Alicia Salerno and Amanda Lauder. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

The Charlie Cart Project is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and supporting their team with equity in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. The Charlie Cart Project prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind and is committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, age, gender or sexual orientation, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where they operate. The Charlie Cart Project will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. All are encouraged to apply.

About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group

Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world. 

Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm's website.