Development Director
About the Organization
States Newsroom was launched in 2018 with an urgent mission: to provide non-partisan coverage of the state policy and politics that most affect people’s daily lives. In March 2024, States Newsroom achieved full national coverage after establishing a newsroom or partnership in all 50 states.
States Newsroom is the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, with reporting from every capital. In an era of rampant disinformation and growing news deserts, States Newsroom provides timely, non-partisan coverage of the state issues that most affect people’s daily lives. As a mission-driven newsroom powering democracy through public-interest journalism, States Newsroom delivers vital, trusted reporting where others can't, their free reporting supports local outlets and helps sustain hyperlocal coverage nationwide.
As States Newsroom turns its focus to the future, the organization is expanding its impact through increased in-state reporting capacity, new partnerships and distribution tools that support local news through republication and collaboration, and on-the-ground coverage of how recent changes at the federal level directly impact people in the states.
The Opportunity
States Newsroom seeks a strategic and collaborative Development Director to strengthen and expand its fundraising program at a pivotal moment in the organization’s growth. With an annual budget of $32 million, States Newsroom is the largest nonprofit news organization in the country, delivering high-quality, nonpartisan reporting through its network of state-based outlets.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this Director will lead a development function that is both national in scope and deeply connected to state-level operations. A central priority will be cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors capable of making six-figure gifts. This individual will be a hands-on fundraiser who excels at identifying and pursuing new opportunities, researching and qualifying prospects, initiating connections, and crafting compelling pitches, while serving as a trusted partner to the CEO in donor meetings and philanthropic forums.
This is an exciting opportunity for a development professional energized by building donor pipelines and securing transformational gifts, while advancing the mission of a fast-growing nonprofit newsroom that is reshaping local journalism across the country.
Location, Compensation and Benefits
States Newsroom has offices in Washington D.C. and Chapel Hill, NC. This role is open to candidates in either of those regions as well as US-based remote candidates. Candidates located in D.C or NC will work in a hybrid setting. Quarterly travel to one or both of the main offices will be expected for the remote candidate.
Salary is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, skill set level and years of previous/applicable experience. The salary range for this role is $120,000 - $130,000.
States Newsroom offers competitive and comprehensive benefits including platinum level health insurance covered at 100% for employees, a 401k program that is vested immediately with 3% match, and 6 weeks of PTO in addition to 11 holidays. weeks of PTO in addition to 11 holidays.
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