Development Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

December 2025

Development Manager

ELLA BAKER CENTER

FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

OAKLAND, CA

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, organizing to shift resources away from prisons and punishment towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong. Named after civil rights hero Ella Baker, we mobilize Black, Brown, and low-income people to build power in our communities. For over 25 years, we have worked from the community to the legislative level to free our people from state violence. We are currently working to end mass incarceration and mass criminalization in the United States through Truth and Reinvestment-moving resources away from failed criminal legal policies and into creating opportunities, also known as "books not bars, jobs not jails, healthcare not handcuffs." Through our programs, such as successful organizing in Alameda County, a robust state policy platform, and national leadership in the movement to end mass incarceration, EBC is building a culture of care to replace cages and cops.

The Ella Baker Center Action Fund (EBCAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and a separate but affiliated organization with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. EBCAF mobilizes our communities - current and formerly incarcerated people, their loved ones, people who are low income, and Black and Brown communities -to exercise their full political power and hold institutions accountable. Like our namesake Ella Baker, we understand that true power lies within the people. EBCAF was born out of the vision to further build power amongst those most impacted by incarceration and criminalization. We mobilize these communities to ensure that our elected officials are focused on addressing the root causes of harm in our communities, instead of investing in failing institutions, such as prisons and policing, that exacerbate that harm.

OUR VALUES

At the Ella Baker Center, we win by doing our liberation work in alignment with and guided by our core

values :

1. Prioritize people most impacted by policing and prisons

2. Accountability

3. Black Liberation

4. Interconnection

5. Transformation

6. Culture of Care and Healing

7. Self-Determination

The ideal candidate at EBC understands that our work uplifts the leadership and strategies of those most impacted by the criminal system : working-class people of color. Our primary aspiration is Black liberation, as these communities are the most harmed by policing and prisons. We practice accountability to our communities and each other by giving and receiving feedback, communicating directly, and building a culture of restorative justice. We seek staff who are looking to not only transform the world, but are themselves excited to be personally transformed by organizing for liberation while caring for ourselves or each other. Transformation means that we do not turn anyone away who seeks our advocacy or support based on what the state has charged them with. Inherent in collective liberation work - we ask our staff to do the personal work of organizing to dismantle white supremacy and cisheteropatriarchy, and practice anti-oppression in everyday relationships. Our values mean we are building a leaderful movement, with an emphasis on those who have been systematically denied leadership and power.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC) seeks a leader for its Development team. The Development Manager will lead EBC's institutional fundraising efforts. The Development Manager will be responsible for the strategic direction and coordination of the institutional funding portfolio for the organization, leveraging their knowledge to inspire funder support and supporting the team to expand our budget to exceed $4.5M. This role incorporates both fundraising and organizing skills, with an emphasis on supporting and mobilizing funders to collaborate on funder convenings and larger discussions within the movement about wealth redistribution and philanthropy. The successful applicant will possess at least 4+ years of professional experience in fundraising, is a collaborative thinker, and is politically committed to the movement for liberation. This role will also be encouraged to support partner organizations in building fundraising capacity and engage in collaborative fundraising when opportunities emerge. This role primarily focuses on institutional giving for EBC's 501(c)3 entity and will spend a limited number of hours stewarding gifts towards EBC Action Fund, our 501(c)4 entity. This position is supervised by the Director of Development.

PRIMARY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Strategy and Implementation

• Lead the strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation of institutional fundraising initiatives aligned with EBC's mission and programmatic goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with funders and engage funders in discussions around equitable resource distribution and systemic change.
• Manage mid-level funder relationships, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Oversee grant agreements, compliance, and reconciliation of foundation income, ensuring accountability and transparency.
• Develop multi-year funding plans and projections to meet organizational growth goals.
• Collaborate with EBC leadership to integrate programmatic insights into fundraising strategy and donor engagement.
• Produce high-quality grant proposals, letters of intent, and reports, leveraging data, storytelling, and impact metrics.
• Stay current on trends in philanthropy, equity-focused giving, and nonprofit fundraising best practices, integrating innovative approaches as appropriate.

Prospect Research and Outreach

Development Operations

Supervision of Development Staff

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

This is a salaried, exempt, on-site, full-time, non-bargaining unit position. There will be times when the position will be required to work in the evenings, on weekends, and participate in outward-facing community events. The Development Manager reports to the Director of Development. This position supervises the Senior Development Associate.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary range : $90,000-$100,000, depending on professional and lived experience. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights offers a competitive benefits package to its full-time employees, which includes employee health, vision, dental, chiropractor, acupuncture, LTD, life insurance, EAP, paid holidays, vacation and sick time, and the option to enroll in a 401K program. We cover 100% of the employee-only premiums for all medical coverage. Medical coverage begins on the 1st of the month, after the date of hire.

EVERYONE WELCOME

The Ella Baker Center is an equal-opportunity employer. Individuals of color, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, individuals with past involvement in the criminal legal system, or who have loved ones currently or formerly impacted by the criminal legal system, are strongly encouraged to apply. We do not require candidates to have a degree, and we welcome candidates with nontraditional backgrounds. We believe in both the necessity in building a broad, diverse movement to effectuate change and the importance of centering the experiences and leadership of those most impacted by the legal system. We are committed to investing in the leadership of people of color and formerly incarcerated people. If you are wondering if you are qualified to apply, please do.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit the following application materials : Ella Baker Center Website Careers

Should a candidate advance in the interview process, they may be asked to participate in a brief skills evaluation exercise and submit a portfolio or work samples. Application open until filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as interviews will be offered on a rolling basis. Please note we will begin interviews in January 2026.

COVID-19 VACCINATION

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights recommends vaccinations to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Fully vaccinated is determined two weeks after completing a primary vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine, with, if applicable, at least the minimum recommended interval between doses. All newly hired employees are requested to report their vaccination status and to provide proof of vaccination. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights encourages employees to wear a mask when working within the building and at EBC-sponsored gatherings. Employees may be legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation because of a disability, or if the provisions in this policy for vaccination, and / or testing for COVID- 19, and / or wearing a face covering conflict with a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

START DATE

March 2026

Nothing in this job description restricts the Ella Baker Center's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.