The Buckeye Flame is seeking a Development Director

The Buckeye Flame, Ohio’s LGBTQ+ newsroom, is seeking applicants for an on-site (Ohio) Development Director. The mission of our nonprofit (501c3) newsroom is to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ Ohioans to support community and civic empowerment through the creation of engaging content that chronicles our triumphs, struggles and lived experiences.

This position is pivotal to the growth and sustainability of our vital newsroom, and the successful candidate will play a key role in shaping our future. The Development Director will lead revenue development through philanthropic grant proposals and reader revenue/individual giving. Under the direct supervision of the Editor, the Development Director’s primary role is to generate income through relationships with foundations, Ohio communities, and individual donors.

KEY ROLES AND ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Strategic Development

Work collaboratively with the Editor, staff and Board, to develop and organize an annual fund development plan and calendar to coordinate all fundraising and marketing activities that maximize resources and results.
Research and identify prospects for solicitations to increase donor base. Prepare background reports on donor giving and interests and develop proposals for donor consideration.
Evaluate overall results of the fund development plan and recommend modifications or new approaches to support successful achievement of development goals.
Impact Reporting: Prepare regular reports on development progress and organizational outcomes, for internal and external stakeholders.

Fund Development

Cultivate potential major gift prospects, develop proposals, develop partnerships with donors and conduct solicitations of foundations.
Plan and execute at least two annual giving campaigns, typically in June and end-of-year.
Manage donor stewardship program.
Manage record keeping for donors, ensuring effective administrative and operational support functions are in place. Manage donor database.
Operate within current laws, statutes and best practices in fundraising.
Develop fundraising materials to support solicitations and increase understanding of philanthropic gifts.
Participate in community events (including Pride celebrations) as a representative of The Buckeye Flame.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A demonstrated passion for the organization’s mission, with a deep understanding of and commitment to the values and principles of the nonprofit sector, LGBTQ+ community development and journalism.
A minimum of 5 years of experience in development and a proven track record in nonprofit fundraising, development and/or grant writing.
Ability to work independently and to bring creative ideas to fundraising and development.
Excellent relational, time-management and writing skills.
Proficiency in digital tools for creating and presenting compelling funding opportunities, including experience with CRM software.
A willingness to do this work without using generative (as opposed to assistive) AI tools.
A demonstrated commitment to fostering equitable and inclusive practices within fundraising activities, and a track record of engaging with a broad range of communities and stakeholders.
Previous lived experience in Ohio and willingness to travel throughout the state of Ohio.

COMPENSATION:

Salary range: $65,000-$80,000, based on experience.

OTHER BENEFITS:

A compassionate, supportive workplace.
Empathy, kindness and patience with leadership and staff.
PTO and company holidays.
An additional $8,000 healthcare stipend will be provided.
Travel and cell phone reimbursement will be provided.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume in a single PDF to Ken Schneck at editor@thebuckeyeflame.com with the subject line “The Buckeye Flame Development Director.”

Please include your name and pronouns on all documents. We expect to receive a large number of applications for this position, so your cover letter is your best opportunity to demonstrate why you are the right person for the job.

Application deadline: September 14, 2026 at 5pm EST.

We know there are great candidates who may not fit into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, please don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

We are dedicated to improving our newsroom, in part by better reflecting the people we cover. We especially encourage members of historically underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities. Please let us know if you would need accommodations for this process.

ANTICIPATED TIMELINE

September 11: 5pm EST: Applications due
September 21: Candidates invited to Zoom interviews
September 25-October 1: Zoom interviews
October 5: Finalist candidates invited to submit response to writing prompt
October 12: Writing prompt due
October 19: Offer to candidate

Questions? Reach out to editor@thebuckeyeflame.com. 🔥