Footprint Project Hiring Development Director – Remote Fundraising Leadership Role Paying From $70,000/Year

Lead Climate and Disaster Resilience Funding as Footprint Project’s Development Director

Experienced nonprofit fundraising professionals have an opportunity to join Footprint Project as a Development Director in a strategic and hands-on leadership role supporting climate resilience, sustainable disaster response, and community-based solutions.

Footprint Project is seeking a fundraising strategist who can build and expand the organisation’s development efforts through foundation grants, government funding, corporate partnerships, earned revenue, and individual giving.

The position offers a starting compensation of $70,000 per year, with remote flexibility available for qualified candidates. The successful candidate will join the senior leadership team and play a key role in scaling the organisation’s impact.

About Footprint Project

Footprint Project is a nonprofit disaster service organisation headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Founded in 2018, the organisation develops and deploys sustainable response technologies that strengthen community resilience during disasters. Footprint Project focuses on expanding access to mobile microgrids, reducing fossil fuel dependence, and supporting cleaner, more effective emergency response systems.

The organisation has experienced significant growth, achieving more than 50% year-over-year growth since 2023, and currently operates with an annual budget of approximately $3 million and a team of 18 employees.

As a growing nonprofit with a startup-style culture, Footprint Project is seeking a leader who can create strategy while remaining actively involved in fundraising execution.

Job Details

Position: Development Director
Organisation: Footprint Project
Location: Remote (New Orleans, LA or Asheville, NC preferred)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: Hybrid or Fully Remote
Salary: Starting at $70,000/year depending on experience
Experience Level: Senior Manager/Supervisor
Travel Requirement: Approximately 10–20%

Applicants outside Louisiana or North Carolina may be considered for an independent contractor arrangement.

Role Overview

The Development Director will lead Footprint Project’s fundraising strategy and oversee all major resource development activities.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the successful candidate will design and implement a comprehensive fundraising approach while managing donor relationships, grant applications, corporate partnerships, and revenue opportunities.

This role requires a “player-coach” approach — someone who can develop strategy, lead teams, and personally write proposals, research funders, and manage fundraising systems.

Key Responsibilities

Development Strategy and Leadership

The Development Director will:

• Create and implement a comprehensive development strategy.
• Manage fundraising priorities across grants, government funding, corporate partnerships, and individual giving.
• Establish annual revenue goals with the CEO.
• Track fundraising progress and provide updates to leadership.
• Contribute development expertise to organisational strategy.
• Supervise the Communications Coordinator.
• Support future growth of the development team.

The successful candidate will help position Footprint Project for sustainable expansion.

Foundation and Government Grant Management

A major responsibility will be managing the organisation’s grant portfolio.

Key duties include:

• Researching potential funding opportunities.
• Managing grant cultivation and relationship-building.
• Writing letters of inquiry (LOIs) and grant proposals.
• Submitting approximately 1–3 proposals monthly.
• Managing renewals and funder communications.
• Maintaining an active grants calendar.
• Supporting government grant and contract opportunities.
• Collaborating on grant budgets and compliance requirements.

The Development Director will work closely with finance and programme teams to ensure successful grant implementation and reporting.

Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships

The role will also lead corporate fundraising initiatives.

Responsibilities include:

• Identifying corporate funding opportunities.
• Building relationships with sponsors.
• Managing partnership development.
• Supporting corporate engagement at events.
• Creating long-term relationships with mission-aligned businesses.

Earned Revenue and Innovative Finance

Footprint Project is exploring diverse funding models, and the Development Director will support:

• Fee-for-service revenue opportunities.
• Social impact loans.
• Programme-related investments (PRIs).
• Blended finance solutions.

This provides an opportunity to help shape innovative funding approaches for climate and disaster resilience work.

Individual Giving and Donor Engagement

The successful candidate will support the development of individual fundraising strategies.

Responsibilities include:

• Working with the CEO on major donor engagement.
• Building the organisation’s first individual giving programme.
• Supporting equipment donation initiatives.
• Managing donor acknowledgements and communications.
• Supporting impact measurement and reporting.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should have strong nonprofit fundraising experience and a proven ability to secure funding.

Required qualifications include:

• At least three years of nonprofit development experience.
• Demonstrated success securing five- and six-figure grants.
• Experience with foundation, corporate, or government funding.
• Staff supervision and team development experience.
• Ability to manage grant budgets.
• Exceptional proposal writing and communication skills.
• Strong project management abilities.
• Experience using CRM systems.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional experience that will strengthen applications includes:

• Federal, state, or local government grant experience.
• Corporate sponsorship programme development.
• Individual giving or major donor fundraising.
• Salesforce or CRM expertise.
• Experience in climate, clean energy, disaster response, or sustainability sectors.

Benefits Package

Eligible employees receive benefits including:

• Monthly healthcare, mental health, and technology stipends.
• 31 days per year for holidays and vacation.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid bereavement leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• Professional development assistance.
• Career growth opportunities within a growing nonprofit.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Footprint Project is seeking someone who is:

• A strategic thinker who also enjoys hands-on fundraising work.
• Comfortable working in a fast-growing nonprofit environment.
• Adaptable and able to manage changing priorities.
• Independent and effective in remote work settings.
• Skilled at building relationships and communicating with diverse stakeholders.
• Passionate about sustainable disaster response and climate justice.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit:

• Resume.
• Cover letter.
• Writing sample (preferably a grant proposal or letter of inquiry excerpt, 2–3 pages).

Applications without all required materials will not be considered.

The recruitment process includes:

• Initial screening.
• Interviews.
• Professional references and employment history review.

Why Apply for This Opportunity?

The Development Director role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of a growing organisation addressing some of the world’s most urgent challenges.

By securing funding and building strategic partnerships, the successful candidate will help expand sustainable disaster response solutions, strengthen community resilience, and support a cleaner energy future.

For fundraising professionals passionate about climate action, nonprofit innovation, and social impact, Footprint Project provides an opportunity to build something meaningful while leading transformational growth.

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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of  emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.