Chief Development and Communications Officer

OverviewSeedling Foundation is seeking an experienced and relationship-driven development professional to lead and grow the organization’s fundraising, donor engagement, marketing, and communications efforts in support of children impacted by parental incarceration.For more than 20 years, Seedling has provided high-quality, school-based mentoring and scholarship support for students who have a parent in prison or jail across Central Texas school districts. Today, Seedling operates with an annual budget of approximately $1.4 million, with roughly one-third funded through school district and government partnerships and the remaining support secured through private philanthropy, including individuals, corporations, foundations, and community partners.The Development team currently includes two full-time staff members and one part-time grant specialist, with the CEO serving as an active partner in fundraising and donor engagement efforts.The Chief Development and Communications Officer (CDCO) is a full-time leadership position responsible for overseeing the strategy, management, coordination, and execution of Seedling’s fundraising, donor relations, marketing, and communications initiatives. The CDCO serves as a member of the organization’s leadership team and works closely with the Board of Directors, Development Committee, donors, and community stakeholders to strengthen awareness, deepen engagement, and increase philanthropic support for Seedling’s mission.Process and TimelineApplicants should provide an updated resume and cover letter to Dan Leal, CEO, by emailing Dan@seedlingmentors.org by Friday, May 29, 2026, at midnight. Interviews for qualifying candidates will take place between May 22 and June 12, 2026. The CEO will make an offer on the position by June 12, 2026.CompensationSeedling will offer a salary starting at $85,000 commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental and vision insurance, 403b retirement plan with match, generous time off, and AISD staff holidays during the school year.Equal Employment OpportunityIt is the policy of the Foundation to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, and medical condition including medical characteristics, marital status or any other classification protected by applicable local, state or federal laws. This policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, job assignment, working conditions, compensation, promotion, benefits, scheduling, training, discipline and termination.About Seedling FoundationSeedling Foundation’s mission is to mitigate the impact of parental incarceration on children in Central Texas through school-based mentoring. Seedling’s mentors are volunteers from the community who are matched with eligible children in Austin area schools. Through partnering with school districts, the organization offers ongoing support to both the children and mentors, who help provide stable, long-term relationships for the students and help them develop and maintain positive attitudes about school. Mentoring can provide the caring, consistent presence of an adult friend that research has shown to be a major protective factor in building resilience among at-risk youth. Since its inception in 1997, Seedling Foundation has served over 3,000 students, with a presence at one time or another on 150+ campuses in 11 districts and 16 charter schools in Austin and surrounding school districts. Seedling has a record of strong fiscal responsibility and administration and is a respected organization among schools and those in the non-profit community. Seedling’s workplace culture is strong, showing compassion and care for its staff, mentors, mentees and donors. The Chief Executive Officer and engaged Board of Directors are eager to grow the organization by increasing the number of mentors and by providing additional support services for children who have an incarcerated parent.