About Books For Africa

Books For Africa (BFA) is the world’s largest shipper of donated books to Africa, working to expand literacy, education access, and opportunity across the continent. By partnering with schools, libraries, universities, and governments, BFA delivers the resources communities need to learn, grow, and thrive.

We are seeking a Development Manager to lead fundraising, donor engagement, and communications efforts that will fuel our global mission and accelerate our impact.

Position Overview

The Development Manager plays a central leadership role in advancing Books For Africa’s philanthropic revenue and visibility. This position designs and executes comprehensive fundraising strategies, cultivates and stewards donors and partners, manages signature fundraising events, and oversees donor communications and marketing initiatives.

In addition to traditional development responsibilities, this role engages high-level stakeholders—including African ambassadors, U.S. diplomats, and global partners—representing Books For Africa with professionalism, cultural awareness, and passion for the mission.

The ideal candidate is a proactive and organized fundraising professional who blends relationship-building, storytelling, and data-driven strategy, and who is comfortable managing both big-picture planning and day-to-day execution.

Key Responsibilities

· Manage key fundraising events, including one event in Minnesota, one event in Georgia, and several donor cultivation events.

· Along with the Executive Director, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, corporate sponsors, foundation partners, and major supporters to expand giving opportunities.

· In partnership with the Executive Director, manage grant prospecting, writing, submission, and reporting efforts; steward grants that have been secured.

· Explore and implement strategies to develop and increase donor and supporter opportunities, including new partnerships and funding channels.

· Manage donor, campaign, and grant data in Salesforce, producing reports and insights for leadership and the Board of Directors.

· Oversee communications with Books For Africa donors and supporters, ensuring consistent stewardship and engagement.

· Manage relationships and logistics related to large-scale book shipments, coordinating with internal teams and external partners.

· Build and strengthen relationships with international stakeholders, including African diplomats and U.S. government officials.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of three years of nonprofit development experience, with demonstrated success in fundraising and donor cultivation.
• Strong proficiency with Salesforce or comparable nonprofit CRM systems.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Self-directed and collaborative work style, with the ability to partner effectively with staff, board members, and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel).
• Ability to attend in-person meetings in Minnesota at least once per week and travel for events as needed.
• Passion for international development, literacy, and education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in international development, literacy, or education-focused organizations.
• Event management experience.
• Experience with digital fundraising and multi-channel donor communications.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $65,000–$70,000, commensurate with experience
• Employer-paid health and dental insurance, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• 6% employer contribution to 401(k)
• Flexible hybrid work environment with required in-person meetings and events

Why Join Books For Africa?

This is a unique opportunity to help lead development efforts at a globally respected nonprofit with a clear, measurable impact. The Development Manager will play a pivotal role in expanding access to education and literacy across Africa—building relationships, sharing powerful stories, and mobilizing resources that change lives.

We encourage qualified, mission-driven fundraising professionals to apply.