Development Consultant

Reports to: Chair of Development Committee (Millie Chu Baird) Location: Remote, with periodic travel to the Bay Area Hours: Approximately 20 hours per week, or as needed Compensation: $150–$215 per hour, commensurate with experience Engagement length: 12–18 months Start date: ASAP About The Field Semester The Field Semester (TFS) is an emerging educational organization preparing to open its first residential campus in Northern California. TFS sits at a pivotal moment in its development: the organization is transitioning from a planning and pre-development phase into active site work and capital fundraising for campus opening. The board and senior leadership are in a period of focused execution, building out a leadership structure, governance protocols, and the financial runway to bring the program to life.

To date, TFS has secured approximately $6 million in cash and an additional $5 million in pledged contributions. To open the doors and operate a minimum-viable campus, the organization needs to close an $15–20 million remaining gap in committed funding. Subsequent campaign phases are anticipated over the following five to ten years to support full master plan build-out as the program grows.

Position Summary The Development Consultant will provide strategic and hands‑on fundraising capacity to TFS during the critical period leading up to and through the opening of the campus. This is a high‑leverage role: the consultant will work directly with the Founder and Development Committee to design and execute a fundraising strategy that closes the current capital campaign gap, reaffirms and deepens existing major donor relationships, and begins building a broader donor base in support of long‑term sustainability. Because the Founder will be physically based out of state for the duration of this engagement, the consultant will play an especially important role in maintaining momentum and continuity of donor cultivation work in the Bay Area.

Resources exist to outsource some of the tasks in this job description. Key Responsibilities Capital campaign strategy and execution Partner with the Founder and Development Committee to develop and execute the capital campaign plan to close the remaining funding gap for campus opening. This includes setting timelines and milestones, defining campaign targets, building a working donor pipeline, and providing the board with regular visibility into progress.

Major donor cultivation and stewardship Manage and deepen relationships with TFS's existing major donors, identify, research, and cultivate new major donor prospects, with particular attention to Bay Area and broader California donor networks. Funder communications and materials Develop high‑quality donor‑facing materials including the campaign case for support, donor reports, and tailored proposals. Support the Founder and board members in donor meetings as needed, and ensure consistent narrative across funder touchpoints.

Pipeline and CRM management Establish and maintain donor tracking systems, prospect research, and a working pipeline that gives the Founder and Development Committee real‑time visibility into campaign progress and next‑action ownership. Board partnership Work in close coordination with the Development Committee to support board members in their fundraising roles. This includes preparing board members for donor conversations, helping coordinate board‑led cultivation, and serving as a connective resource between the committee and the broader board.

Foundation and institutional fundraising Identify and pursue institutional funding opportunities aligned with TFS's mission and program model, including foundations active in education, place‑based learning, and Bay Area philanthropy. Qualifications Required experience Minimum seven to ten years of progressive development experience, with significant capital campaign or major gifts work Demonstrated track record of closing six‑figure and seven‑figure gifts Experience working with founding‑stage or early‑stage nonprofits, ideally in education, place‑based programs, or related mission areas Strong written communication skills, including campaign cases for support, proposals, and donor‑facing materials Comfort working in a small, dynamic organizational environment with limited internal infrastructure Strongly preferred Awareness and understanding of the local philanthropic landscape within the broader Bay Area and California. Experience supporting a development function during a major organizational transition (campus change, leadership transition, or scaling moment) Familiarity with educational philanthropy, environmental or place‑based education, or related fields Proficiency with donor CRM systems (Salesforce, Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, or similar) Disposition Self‑directed and able to operate effectively with light oversight Strong collaborator with the capacity to work alongside a Founder and an engaged board Mission‑aligned and energized by the prospect of building something from the ground up Comfortable with the ambiguity inherent in a pre‑launch organization Engagement Structure This is a consultant engagement, not a staff position.

The expected commitment is approximately 20 hours per week over an initial 12 to 18 month period, with the possibility of extension or transition to a staff Director of Development role as the organization grows. The Development Consultant will report directly to the chair of the Development Committee and will work closely with the Founder, with regular check‑ins built into the working cadence. Compensation will be set as an hourly rate, commensurate with experience.

TFS will reimburse approved travel expenses related to donor meetings, site visits, and other consultant duties. To Apply Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and a relevant writing sample (such as a campaign case, proposal, or donor communication) to [email protected]. Initial conversations will begin on a rolling basis until the role is filled.

The Field Semester is an equal opportunity organization and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. #J-18808-Ljbffr