Director of Development or Fundraising Contractor - Downtown SF Partnership

Position: Director of Development (full-time employee) or Fundraising Contractor

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Reports To:

President & CEO

Location:

In-Person at DSFP’s offices in downtown San Francisco

Deadline: January 17, 2025

Email your resume and cover letter outlining your interest in serving as a full-time employee or contractor, experience with revenue generation and fundraising, and compensation expectations to

The Downtown SF Partnership (DSFP), a growing urban placemaking and place management organization dedicated to regenerating and overseeing 43-blocks of downtown San Francisco surrounding the Financial District and Jackson Square is seeking a Director of Development (full-time employee) or a retained Fundraising Contractor to support DSFP’s vision of reimagining downtown as a vibrant, active, world-class destination for visitors and residents. 

Who We Are

Downtowns matter. We believe mixed-use downtowns are vibrant downtowns supporting a diversity of activities, events, amenities, uses, and experiences. Launched in 2020, DSFP has become nationally recognized for its signature multi-day events and activations like Let’s Glow SF and its award-winning Public Realm Action Plan, a comprehensive roadmap for a reimagined downtown San Francisco. We’re a small and talented team guided by a solid vision, a pragmatic mission, and values of collaboration, entrepreneurialism, impact, and celebration. Whether we are talking about placemaking, economic development, or urban design, DSFP focuses on amplifying downtown San Francisco’s economic, social, cultural, and historic importance and relevance at the local and state level.

About the Position

The Director of Development will be primarily responsible for leading revenue generation strategies, corporate sponsorships and partnerships, and grant and philanthropic development to advance DSFP’s Public Realm Action Plan (PRAP), fund Let’s Glow SF 2025 and beyond, build unrestricted revenue streams, diversify public space revenue, membership, and other event sponsorships.

The selected candidate will build relationships with corporations and the philanthropic community to drive focus and financial attention to accelerate downtown’s economic recovery and placemaking strategies. Candidates shall demonstrate tangible experience in generating over $1,000,000 in earned revenue yearly.

Position Focus Areas:

• Research & Planning: Develop an annual plan to increase fundraising and non-assessment revenue generation activities aligned with DSFP’s strategic plan and fundraising goals.
• Relationships & Engagement: Cultivate strong relationships on behalf of DSFP with current and prospective donors and philanthropic funders.
• Reporting: Prepare monthly fundraising activity reports for senior leadership, including pipeline updates, revenue projections, and donor prospecting.
• Event Sponsorships: Create visual decks and pitch corporations to support special event sponsorships to include, but not limited to: Let’s Glow SF, Front Street Entertainment Zone block parties, Drag Me Downtown, and State of Downtown. Ensure sponsorship fulfillment and recognition requirements.
• Grants: Design compelling grant proposals, including supplemental documents, project budgets and timelines, and manage reporting and recognition requirements.
• Fee for Service Contracts/Affiliate Membership: Implement strategies to expand the district services outside of its 43-block boundaries in collaboration with the VP of Operations.
• Public Space Revenue: Generate strategies and models to financially support placemaking programming activities and public space operations in collaboration with the VP of Planning & Economic Development.
• Public Space Development: Support the President & CEO in the development of new public spaces (Embarcadero Plaza) and other capital projects, including managing outside fundraising firms to meet fundraising goals.

Position Expectations

· Think strategically, keeping the big picture and broad organizational objectives in mind.

· Demonstrate emotional intelligence and self-awareness, inspire confidence and trust, and welcome feedback.

· Ability to work within a complex organizational structure to prioritize and manage multiple projects and issues with frequent deadlines.

• Passion for placemaking with a commitment to creating vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities.
• Leadership qualities with the ability to inspire and motivate teams and stakeholders towards a shared vision.
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic urban environment.

· Interact in an effective, tactful, and professional manner and respond promptly to requests.

· Must be able to engage in a range of physical activity, including standing or sitting at a desk and walking (sometimes on uneven surfaces) for an extended period.

Requirements/Qualifications

· Must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree

· Must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising development, philanthropy, or corporate giving.

· Demonstrated track record in raising at least $1,000,000 in yearly revenue generation strategies.

• Excellent donor prospecting and grant research and proposal development skills.

· Knowledge of San Francisco and Bay Area’s foundation and corporate grant making environment.

• Interdisciplinary collaboration, strong communication skills, and ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office, Canva, CRM, and other digital applications.
• Strong financial management skills including budgeting and managing income and expenses.

· Experience working for a community benefit district/business improvement district, nonprofit, corporate or foundation philanthropy is a plus.

· Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

To Apply

Email your resume and cover letter outlining your interest, experience with revenue generation and fundraising, and compensation expectations to

Downtown SF Partnership is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.