Civic Nebraska

As our Director of Development, you are responsible for all of our vital revenue streams, which allow us to achieve our mission and maximize our impact across the state. You plan and organize fundraising activities, steward donors, manage the development budget, and collaborate across the organization and with organizational partners to raise funds. This position is located at Civic Nebraska headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska, reports to the Executive Director as part of the executive leadership team, and directly supervises the Development Team, including the Grants Manager, Development and Operations Coordinator, and Volunteer Coordinator. The Development Team collaborates closely with the Communications Team, including Director of Communications and Communications Manager. 

Civic Nebraska is an established statewide nonprofit organization with established success in securing revenue from a variety of stakeholders, including local and national foundations and generous individuals and families. Civic Nebraska is seeking to grow its development portfolio across all streams, with particular focus on individuals and families in the upper four-figure and five-figure range or greater.

As our designer of development strategies, you get to

• Create and implement annual and long-range strategies to achieve development goals including annual gifts, major gifts, planned gifts, and fundraising campaigns to support a $3,500,000+ annual budget
• Manage a comprehensive development strategy to maintain an active schedule of stakeholder engagements and maximize direct donor interaction
• Organize and implement strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects
• Oversee and develop strategy around relationship management technology infrastructure, including donor database/CRM, and ensure integration with engagement tools used across the organization. 
• Direct roles and responsibilities for annual events, donor campaigns, and other stewardship and special events
• Partner with Executive Director, Development Team, Communications Team, and/or Board of Directors on major fundraising initiatives
• Supervise Development Team and provide mentorship and strategic oversight
• Work closely with the Communications Team to coordinate aligned communications efforts reaching stakeholders across the state to grow affinity; and ensure consistent messaging and fidelity to brand identity

As our organizer of development activities, you get to

• Work in a fast-paced, collaborative, well-supported environment to build resources aimed at strengthening democracy through activities that span beyond election cycles and legislative sessions
• Maintain long-term relationships with existing major donors
• Identify and build relationships with new and prospective donors
• Make direct, face-to-face solicitations
• Oversee development of proposals, grant applications, and cases for support
• Implement stewardship practices aimed at deepening donor ties, including coordinating with programs to receive and share mission impact data and anecdotes
• Recruit and support special committees to advance fundraising efforts
• Communicate fundraising goals throughout the organization and report on goal progress to executive leadership team and the Board of Directors
• Build relationships with staff and help align their programmatic goals with grant and donor opportunities, as well as evolving budgetary considerations that may result within a given fiscal year
• Support grant writing and report completion in partnership with the Grants Manager and program staff 
• Monitor and evaluate all fundraising activities to ensure fundraising goals are being achieved.

This job might be for you if have

• Strong experience in nonprofit fund development and moves management
• Demonstrated ability to manage and support a talented and highly effective team of professionals
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, compelling audiences to action through writing and speaking
• Strong interpersonal skills and a proven track record in relationship building
• Creative and enthusiastic leadership skills and enjoy crafting innovative campaigns which open doors to new donor relationships and strengthen current ones
• Fidelity to processes and can make timely, effective, and ethical decisions to diversify a portfolio and strengthen generosity for the mission
• You have experience with nonprofit fundraising technology and/or CRM software (highly preferred)

Salary & Benefits

This position will earn a salary starting at $85,000 upward, dependent upon skills and experience. Benefit options include medical, vision, and dental insurance, and 401k. In addition, Civic Nebraska offers unlimited paid time off, a flexible work schedule with an option for two remote working days per week, and several paid holidays. Civic Nebraska offers a hybrid work schedule (Monday and Friday remote; Tuesday – Thursday at Lincoln HQ). This is a full-time, exempt position.  

To apply

Send a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references to Grace Laflen at grace.laflen@civicnebraska.org. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with the first review of applications occurring at the end of July 2026 and initial interviews tentatively scheduled for early August. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed monthly until the position is filled, with interviews typically scheduled during the first weeks of the following month.

We recognize that candidates may have varying availability and are flexible on the start date, with an anticipated start anytime between August and November 2026.

Learn more about Civic Nebraska

https://www.civicnebraska.org/

Join Civic Nebraska and help us create a brighter, stronger future for all. Let’s make a difference together!

Civic Nebraska has a policy prohibiting discrimination against employees, directors or officers on account of race, color, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or national origin. In addition, Civic Nebraska strictly prohibits retaliation/victimization against an employee for complaining about alleged discrimination and/or harassment.