Development Economist Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are
The Northside Economic Opportunity Network's (NEON) mission is to build wealth for low-to-moderate-income entrepreneurs in North Minneapolis and surrounding communities. Our vision is to transform North Minneapolis and the surrounding area into a prosperous, visible, sustainable, and highly diverse multi-cultural community of entrepreneurs. We work with individuals at various stages of entrepreneurship - from "information seekers" to existing business entities, providing a roadmap to start, grow and thrive as scalable businesses.
Why You'll Love Working Here
NEON promotes economic equity by identifying business ownership as a path toward income generation and long-term asset building. NEON will increase work to start, support, sustain, and expand the number of culturally diverse businesses owned and operated in North Minneapolis. We strive for the best customer service in the world, relentless pursuit of excellence, and respect for the individual. Working with our team provides an opportunity to utilize our collective power to improve and expand programs for the benefit of the North Minneapolis community where entrepreneurs can start, grow and thrive.
Wages
$85,000 - $90,000 annual salary, depending on qualifications and experience.
NEON is proud to offer an incredibly robust benefits package to employees:

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) starting at 18 days per year
• 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays and a seasonal paid office closure for a week at the end of each year
• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Health Savings Account (HSA) fully funded by NEON for individual or family coverage
• NEON pays for basic life insurance with the option for additional employee-paid coverage
• NEON also pays for Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and long-term disability insurance
• NEON sponsors a retirement plan with a 6% employer match and immediate vesting.

Because NEON is a member with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) who partners with St. Mary's University, NEON employees and their spouses are also eligible for the following benefits at St. Mary's University:

• Discounted tuition for Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to advancement (internships, job placement, field practice)

Reporting to the President, the Director of Development position at NEON is a front-line fundraiser, leading all NEON's fundraising activities. This position is responsible for fostering an environment of inclusivity and commitment to the organization's financial success through the cultivation of donors and supporters at every level, leading both individual major gift fundraising and annual giving programs. In collaboration with the President, the Board of Directors, and teams across organizational departments, the Director of Development manages the organization's overall income budget and strategic planning of future budgets. The Director of Development is expected to be devoted to the best-in-class fundraising, development operations and building a culture of philanthropy through collective responsibilities with staff and volunteer leadership. Also, this position is responsible for Public Relations, engaging key community leaders with important business topics, initiatives, and objectives, and will require attendance at occasional evening and weekend events.
Responsibilities will include the following:

• In partnership with the President, develop and execute an annual strategic fundraising and engagement plan aligned with organizational priorities and measurable performance goals.
• Lead the development and implementation of annual and multi-year fundraising strategies to drive sustainable revenue growth and long-term donor engagement.
• Achieve established performance metrics, including major gifts secured, donor solicitations, total funds raised, prospect cultivation and qualification, and meaningful donor engagement activities.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with current and prospective donors, corporate partners, community leaders, and Board members to expand philanthropic support and organizational visibility.
• Prepare and present monthly and quarterly reports that provide clear analysis of fundraising performance, pipeline activity, and progress toward strategic objectives.
• Provide timely recommendations, reporting, and fundraising analysis to the President, Board of Directors, and senior leadership to support informed decision-making.
• Identify and implement opportunities to enhance organizational effectiveness, donor engagement, and community impact.
• Collaborate with program leaders and subject matter experts to develop compelling donor communications, impact stories, proposals, and campaign materials that effectively communicate organizational mission and outcomes.
• Partner closely with Marketing and Communications teams to create integrated fundraising campaigns, messaging strategies, sponsorship opportunities, and donor engagement initiatives.
• Oversee organizational sponsorships, partnerships, and participation in community and industry events to increase brand awareness, stakeholder engagement, and philanthropic support.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with external stakeholders, businesses, civic organizations, community influencers, and media partners to advance external communications and fundraising objectives across print, digital, social, and earned media platforms.
• Direct and oversee all fundraising activities, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, sponsorships, campaigns, and special events, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and best practices.

Who You Are

• You have earned a bachelor's degree (required), with a minimum of five years of demonstrated success in major gift fundraising and donor solicitation.
• You have at least five years of experience in fundraising, public relations, community engagement, communications, or related fields, with a strong ability to enhance organizational visibility and brand awareness through strategic partnerships.
• You can show a track record of securing philanthropic support and cultivating meaningful partnerships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and community organizations.
• You have extensive experience building, managing, and sustaining long-term relationships with donors, prospects, foundations, and key fundraising constituents.
• You can demonstrate expertise in donor and prospect identification, cultivation, stewardship, solicitation, and move management strategies.
• Your relationship-management and interpersonal skills are strong, and you're able to influence stakeholders and effectively communicate organizational mission, priorities, and impact.
• You have experience developing, tracking, and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs), fundraising metrics, and engagement data to evaluate performance and support organizational growth strategies.
• Your written, verbal, and presentation communication skills are excellent, including experience developing proposals, donor communications, and fundraising materials.
• You have strong leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills and can manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• You have a deep commitment to the mission and values of nonprofit organizations and experience working effectively within diverse communities and with individuals from varied backgrounds.
• Experience working within nonprofit organizations is strongly preferred.
• You have exceptional skills in communicating effectively and building relationships with diverse stakeholders, including donors, executives, community leaders, and other influential individuals.
• You are proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and donor database/CRM platforms, including Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, and eTapestry.
• You have a valid driver's license, access to reliable transportation, and the ability to meet NEON's driving record requirements. Please note that if the license was not issued in the state of Minnesota, you have 60 days after becoming a Minnesota resident in which to apply for your Minnesota driver's license or permit.

Photography and Videography Participation: As a condition of employment or engagement with NEON, staff members may be photographed or recorded in the course of their work. This includes but is not limited to:

• Professional headshots for NEON's website, reports, or internal directories
• Candid or posed images during events, programs, or community engagements
• Interviews or feature segments for media, promotional videos, or social media

These images and recordings will be used solely to support NEON's mission and enhance public awareness of our work.
Diversity and open expression are fundamental to the work of NEON. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment where everyone can belong. Every member of our team enriches our work by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in our sector: individuals who identify as BIPOC, Indigenous or people of culture, LGBTQI+ and gender fluid or gender nonconforming, individuals with disabilities (both seen and unseen), veterans, people of any age or family status. We encourage you to apply even if you feel like you don't fit 100% of the technical requirements. Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, age, marital status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, criminal history (justice-impacted status), housing or homelessness status, height, or weight.
Our organization has a partnership with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) to provide administrative services including management of the hiring process. If you apply for this position, you may see references to MACC in some online materials.
NEON participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. See E-Verify's official poster at https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf. See E-Verify's Right to Work poster at https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng_Es.pdf.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.