Chief Development Officer

About ICA Fund—Not Business as Usual

ICA Fund accelerates great businesses through mentoring and investments to catalyze value in local markets and create community wealth. We back founders building promising, revenue-generating businesses who are overlooked by mainstream finance, pairing capital with hands-on advising from a network of experienced operators.

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Engagement Overview

ICA is seeking to engage a strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven Fractional Chief Communications & Development Officer to lead the organization’s fundraising, donor engagement, communications, and storytelling efforts. This senior-level consultant will serve as a strategic advisor and operational partner to organizational leadership, helping strengthen fundraising infrastructure, elevate organizational visibility, and expand philanthropic support.

The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of successful experience in nonprofit development, internal and external communications, grant management, donor engagement and cross-functional leadership. This role requires both strategic thinking and hands-on execution with the ability to guide organizational messaging while building sustainable fundraising systems and partnerships.

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Scope of Services

Fundraising & Development Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of strategic fundraising plans aligned with organizational priorities and growth goals
• Strengthen and diversify revenue streams including individual giving, institutional philanthropy, sponsorships, campaigns, and partnerships
• Support donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement strategies
• Partner with executive leadership and board members to strengthen fundraising participation and donor relationships
• In partnership with Director of Marketing and Communications, develop donor-facing materials including fundraising campaigns, appeals, sponsorship decks, and impact communications
• Monitor fundraising performance metrics and recommend strategic adjustments to improve effectiveness and sustainability

Communications, Marketing & Storytelling

• Oversee the day-to-day activities and workflow of a small communications and/or development team, ensuring alignment, accountability, and effective execution of priorities
• Provide direction, coaching and mentorship to staff to support professional growth, leadership development and long-term career advancement while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture
• Develop and guide communications strategies that strengthen organizational visibility, credibility, and donor engagement
• Shape compelling organizational storytelling that communicates mission, impact, and community outcomes
• Support development of key messaging frameworks, brand voice, and communications priorities
• Oversee content strategy across newsletters, donor communications, website messaging, reports, and social media platforms
• Identify opportunities for public relations, media visibility, and thought leadership positioning
• Ensure communications efforts effectively support fundraising and relationship-building goals

Grants Strategy & Management

• Identify and prioritize grant opportunities aligned with organizational strategy and funding priorities
• Oversee and coordinate the work of the organization’s third-party grants management and grant writing firm
• Ensure timely submission of grant proposals, reports, and supporting documentation
• Responsible for maintaining grants calendars, proposal pipelines, and tracking systems
• Review grant narratives and materials for strategic alignment, quality, consistency, and organizational voice
• Collaborate with program and finance staff to support accurate reporting, compliance, and impact measurement

Leadership & Organizational Support

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO
• Support board engagement in fundraising, donor stewardship and external communications
• Prepare development-related presentations, reports and board materials
• Participate in events, leadership meetings and planning discussions as appropriate

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Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, and/or communications
• Demonstrated success in closing individual gifts, managing donor portfolios, and writing funded grant proposals
• Strong strategic thinker who can operate independently with minimal oversight in a resource-constrained environment
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences
• Experience with donor management/CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce NPSP, Bloomerang, Little Green Light, or similar)
• Comfortable working in a small nonprofit environment, wearing multiple hats and pivoting quickly
• Ability to represent the organization confidently across varied audiences including donors at all giving levels, institutional funders, community stakeholders and cross-sectional partners

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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a fractional, consulting, or contract capacity serving multiple nonprofit clients
• Experience building development infrastructure from the ground up or significantly expanding fundraising programs
• Proficiency with email marketing tools (Mailchimp, Constant Contact), social media management, and basic website CMS
• Prior board engagement experience

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How to Apply

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