The READ Center offers literacy education to adults in the Greater Richmond region, delivering classroom instruction and personalized one-to-one tutoring. Our students, aged 18 and above, primarily reside in Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico. Our comprehensive instruction encompasses reading, writing, math, and digital literacy skills for those reading below an 8th-grade equivalent level.

Our Team and Values

At The READ Center, our staff is a small yet dedicated force. We thrive on collaboration, creative thinking, compassion, respect, and humor. We diligently work and deeply care for the adults we serve. We cherish diverse ideas, patience, flexibility, and the lives our team members lead beyond work. As we expand our staff, we seek individuals who can contribute their unique touch to our already outstanding team.

Development Specialist Position

The Development Specialist collaborates with the Executive Director, Staff, and Volunteers to accomplish fundraising and development objectives. This role oversees all aspects of fundraising, including the annual fund, database management, special events, grants management, and other fundraising strategies. We seek applicants who possess patience, flexibility, compassion, curiosity, and a sense of fun. The role involves a range of responsibilities, such as:

Managing and supervising a diverse fundraising strategy and program encompassing direct mail, major gifts, special events, mass email, social media, and grants. The goal is to ensure that READ achieves or surpasses its annual fundraising targets.
Developing and nurturing relationships with individuals and organizations, with a special emphasis on stewarding current individual donors and foundations.
Orchestrating annual fundraising campaigns, including the Annual Appeal.
Expanding government and corporate funding sources, volunteer involvement, and participation in READ events and initiatives.
Assisting in the management of READ’s donor database and gift processing.
Expanding existing READ Center fundraising events, like the Great Richmond Trivia Bee and A Moveable Feast. This entails integrating READ’s purpose, mission, and values into the events in collaboration with program and other staff.
Researching, formulating, and overseeing prospect portfolios to optimize fundraising opportunities.
Providing regular fundraising reports to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
Creating and maintaining development plans, reports, and processes to ensure consistency, expansion, and potential delegation of tasks. If needed, making recommendations for improving development efforts, plans, and reports.
Identifying long-term funding strategies to achieve stated development goals and ensure READ's sustainability.
Alongside READ staff, championing READ's mission and acting as a spokesperson for the organization when appropriate.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in a related subject is preferred but not mandatory.
A minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in non-profit fundraising.
A self-starter who is adaptable, versatile, and capable of managing multiple projects and deadlines.
Proficient in active listening and evidence-based decision-making.
Sets high performance standards and holds oneself accountable by rigorously implementing these standards.
Strong verbal and written communication skills with meticulous attention to detail.
Demonstrates high levels of personal and professional integrity; experience working with diverse populations.
Ability to solve problems, adapt to changing contexts, and work effectively with minimal supervision.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills. Possesses a robust goal and teamwork orientation, and the ability to thrive in a complex, small nonprofit environment.
Willingness to travel within the Greater Richmond Metro Area and availability for some evening/weekend work.
Proficiency in using computers with Microsoft Applications and the Internet, including Word, Excel, Outlook E-mail, Google Drive, Donor Databases, Mailchimp, etc.

Join us in making a difference through literacy!