Director of Development & Fundraising

EQL Tech is partnering with a philanthropic foundation to hire a Director of Development & Fundraising to build its fundraising function at a defining moment for the organization.

The project is building the largest urban sculpture trail in the world, placing up to 100 ambitious, large-scale works across 34 miles of San Francisco to spark wonder, strengthen communities, and drive civic vitality. Launched last year with Mayor Lurie, the organization already has 25 works installed, with close to 25 more planned this year, free for everyone to enjoy.

Why this role exists

With 25 works installed, another 25 planned this year, and a path to 100, the project is moving from launch into scale. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Development is the operating partner who turns that vision and momentum into sustained contributed revenue.

This is a hands-on, build-from-the-ground-up role. The CEO continues to lead top-of-funnel cultivation with the most significant individual donors and civic partners; the Director of Development owns the engine that supports and extends that work - corporate partnerships, foundation and institutional giving, donor stewardship systems, gift operations, and the steady expansion of the major gifts pipeline.

For the right person, this is an unusual opportunity to architect the development function of a high-visibility civic initiative from day one - working directly with the CEO, alongside major donors, civic leaders, and corporate partners, with the chance to shape what philanthropy looks like for one of the most ambitious public art projects in the country.

What you'll own

Major gifts & pipeline

• Build and run the major gifts pipeline: identify, qualify, and move prospects through cultivation in partnership with the CEO, with clear next steps and disciplined follow-through.
• Prepare the CEO for cultivation moments: briefing memos, prospect research, talking points, and follow-up tracking.

Corporate, foundation & institutional giving

• Own corporate partnerships and sponsorships end to end: prospecting, proposal development, structuring, closing, and renewal.
• Lead foundation and institutional giving: prospect research, LOIs, proposals, reporting, and relationship management.

Stewardship & operations

• Design and run donor stewardship: acknowledgments, recognition, naming opportunities, donor communications, and the rhythm of touchpoints that keeps relationships warm.
• Run development operations: CRM hygiene, gift processing, pledge tracking, reporting, and the systems and documentation the function needs to scale.

Events & board

• Partner on fundraising events: donor walks, dinners, unveilings, and Liaisons gatherings, in coordination with the Chief of Staff and broader team.