Communications Jobs in Richmond, CA

Chief Of Philanthropy & External Affairs Officer

For more than 55 years, Insight Housing (formerly Berkeley Food & Housing Project) has provided a comprehensive range of housing, food, and support services to help those in need move from homelessness into a safe and affordable home of their own. We serve in seven counties in the Bay Area - Alameda County, San Francisco County, Contra Costa County, Solano County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County and Amador County. We are proud of our team members who are very dedicated to our mission of ensuring everyone in our community has a home through supportive and sustainable housing solutions. Insight Housing recognizes that our participants need more than a meal and a warm bed; they need to be respected as individuals making a transition back to full and thriving life.

Depending on their individual needs, Insight Housing services can include: emergency and temporary housing, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing; fresh and nutritious meals, water, and snacks; wellness checks and links to medical providers; life skills and vocational counseling; family reunification support.

The Chief Of Philanthropy & External Affairs Officer (CPEAO) is a dynamic and strategic leader responsible for driving Insight Housing's external engagement, communications, and revenue strategy. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving on the executive team, the CPEAO ensures alignment across fundraising, policy, and communications to advance organizational priorities and impact. With a goal of raising $3 million annually, the CPEAO provides strategic vision and leadership to the philanthropy team while also leading our efforts to shape public policy, build meaningful partnerships, and amplify the organization's voice. This role directly supervises the Philanthropy Manager and the Policy and Communications Manager.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Strategy and Fundraising
• Lead and implement an integrated fundraising strategy to meet or exceed annual revenue goals ($3M for 2025).
• Oversee all aspects of individual giving, institutional philanthropy (foundations and corporations), major gifts, planned giving, events, and capital campaigns.
• Partner with the CEO and board to cultivate and steward top donors and prospects.
• Guide prospect identification, donor engagement strategies, and stewardship systems.
• Ensure efficient systems for donor management, tracking, and reporting.
• Personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and institutional funders, and partner with the CEO to strategically cultivate top prospects and relationships.
• Regularly evaluate Insight Housing's fundraising programs to ensure that they are effective and efficient.
• Oversee grants and team members who own the research, proposal writing, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee donor database and tracking systems and the stewardship, gift accounting, and reporting functions, ensuring all donors receive timely acknowledgement of their gifts.
• Monitor and prepare regular reports regarding fundraising activities and progress for the CEO, Board of Directors, Leadership Team, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure sound fiscal management and efficient allocation of resources, as well as compliance with all federal and state laws, regulations, and accounting standards related to charitable giving.
• Policy and Advocacy
• Refine and broaden Insight Housing's policy and advocacy voice in alignment with the 10-year vision of becoming a recognized leader in shaping housing and homelessness policy.
• Lead at least three regional or statewide policy campaigns grounded in community voice and organizational data.
• Develop and manage an annual policy agenda informed by participant experiences and outcome data.
• Build and deepen partnerships with coalitions, government agencies, and peer organizations to advance policy goals.
• Establish and co-lead an internal Policy and Advocacy Committee to foster cross-functional alignment and embed advocacy into organizational culture.
• Launch and oversee Insight's Advocacy Training Program to equip staff and participants as community advocates.
• Ensure the regular publication of policy briefs, impact reports, and public comment letters to influence housing-related legislation and resource allocation.
• Lead and support the team in hosting community-led policy roundtables and actively participating in public hearings, lobbying days, and campaigns.
• External Affairs & Communications
• Lead a unified external affairs strategy that aligns development, communications, and policy goals.
• Oversee brand management, media relations, marketing campaigns, and digital communications.
• Serve as a key spokesperson for Insight Housing to the media, funders, and community partners when the CEO can't be present.
• Ensure consistent and compelling messaging across all platforms.
• Lead the Communications team to devise effective marketing and communications initiatives to support Insight, including campaigns that raise awareness and funds for the organization's work.
• Management
• Directly supervise the Philanthropy Manager and Policy and Communications Manager.
• Build and nurture a high-performing, collaborative team culture.
• Set and evaluate annual goals, professional development plans, and team benchmarks.
• Collaborate with other C-Suite leaders to ensure cross-functional alignment.
• Lead budget development and oversight for the fundraising, communications, and policy departments, ensuring resources are used strategically and responsibly to support organizational priorities.
• Work closely with the CEO and board members on fundraising strategy and execution.
• Provide Board training and support to encourage engagement with their networks and their philanthropic potential.
• Administrative
• Drive own vehicle to the field and to other program sites, as required; documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; comply with agency driving policy at all times.
• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy, and clean working environment consistent with agency's health and safety practices.
• Attend and participate in all meetings and trainings as assigned.
• Complete and submit own timesheets and approve staff timesheet in a timely and accurate manner.
• Work within the framework of Insight Housing's Code of Conduct.
• Perform other tasks and projects as assigned.

Required knowledge, skills & abilities (must haves) include:

• Proven Major Gifts & Capital Campaign Leadership
• Strategic, Growth-Focused Fundraising Leader
• Exceptional Relationship Builder & External Ambassador
• Strong Communicator & Brand/MarCom Leader
• Team Leader, Talent Developer & Culture Builder
• Data-Informed, Systems-Savvy Fundraiser
• Leadership Style & Personal Qualities

Other desired skills & abilities include:

• Technology, Data & Tools
• Mission, Values & Equity
• Sector Knowledge
• Board & Stakeholder Engagement
• Administrative Requirements
• Physical Requirements

We are extremely proud of our diverse team and welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

We are happy to provide a robust compensation & benefits package to all full-time employees.