Development Director

Role Overview

• In partnership with CIO, design and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the Climate and Nature Impact work.
• Primary fundraising mechanisms: Government and institutional grants
• Philanthropic grants and gifts from foundations with endowments, or individuals
• Corporate Sponsorships
• Funding Mechanisms to Address Economic Barriers at Tier 4: In partnership with CIO, CEO, and Senior Leadership Team, explore and execute opportunities to partner with existing grant funding mechanisms to fill current gaps in funding opportunities for tier 4 production systems.
• Manage external partners to inform fundraising strategy.
• In partnership with CIO, CEO, and Senior Leadership Team, develop a longer-term strategy for investment mechanisms to support collective action and address barriers at tier 4, ensuring alignment with Textile Exchange’s 5-year strategy, engagement model, and theory of change.
• This includes familiarity with blended finance, catalytic capital, and transition finance approaches.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with a portfolio of mission-aligned donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Partner with the CEO, Chief Impact Officer, and senior leaders internally and externally to grow and diversify the organization’s philanthropic funding base.
• Track grant cycles, deadlines, and deliverables using CRM (Salesforce) and project management tools.
• Manage stewardship activities, donor briefings, and engagement events.
• Draft, edit, and submit letters of inquiry, grant applications, and donor reports
• this is a hands-on role, not solely a management role.
• Prepare compelling grant proposals, donor materials, and impact reports, tailored to diverse funder audiences.
• Collaborate with program teams to gather relevant data, outcomes, and stories for fundraising materials.
• Monitor and evaluate progress against grant deliverables and impact metrics, ensuring transparency and accountability to funders.
• Manage grant compliance and budget reporting requirements for institutional funders, including financial reporting and narrative deliverables.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that supports innovation, accountability, and professional growth.
• Contribute to organizational vision and decision-making, providing fundraising perspectives to inform strategic planning.
• Support the CIO in Board engagement and fundraising initiatives.
• Promote alignment and integration with other departments.

Requirements

• 7-10 years of relevant experience, in at least two of the following areas: Fundraising, donor relations, or philanthropy
• Sustainability in tier 4 production systems in the fashion, apparel, and textile industry
• Blended finance, catalytic capital, transition finance, or sustainable investment models
• Other senior-level global nonprofit experience, preferably in the fashion, apparel, and textile industry
• Proven track record of securing major gifts, grants, or strategic partnerships with philanthropic stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to cultivate relationships with donors.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as a solo practitioner and build a function from the ground up, with an entrepreneurial mindset and comfort moving between strategy and execution.
• Strong presentation, storytelling, and public speaking skills.
• Strong project management skills, with a keen eye for detail and deadlines.
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills in English, with demonstrated experience preparing successful funding applications.
• Experience working with donor databases and CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce).
• Financial literacy and experience managing grant compliance, budget reporting, and funder financial deliverables.
• Passionate about Textile Exchange’s mission and deeply committed to advancing climate, nature, and livelihoods outcomes.
• Committed to equity, inclusion, and shared leadership, with a proven ability to work across diverse communities and global contexts.