Development Director – Thomas B. Fordham Institute – Washington, DC

Do you have development experience and seek an opportunity to lead a dynamic organization’s fundraising efforts? Are you interested in education reform? Are you goal-driven, cheerful, bright, hard-working, enterprising, flexible, ambitious and glad to keep pace with a lively and sometimes demanding work environment? If so, we might be made for one another. 

We are the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a nonprofit think-tank that supports research, publications, and action projects of national significance in K-12 education reform, nationally and in Ohio. We seek a Development Director (to be based in Washington, D.C.) to lead the development and implementation of a creative fund-raising strategy and productive operation. 

We seek an individual who can help us reach our fundraising goals for 2010 and 2011 while developing and executing a strategy to grow our revenues over time, ultimately doubling them by 2014. (We have an endowment that supports half our budget and provides a stable base, but to increase our impact we need to bolster our fundraising.) 

The right occupant of this position will also institute good organizational practices that maintain relationships with extant funders and attract new supporters. This individual will report to the Vice President/Treasurer and work closely with Fordham’s president and policy and finance teams. 

Specific duties and responsibilities will include:

• Leading the development and implementation of a fundraising strategy to ensure that we:
  • set challenging short-, medium-, and long-term fundraising goals
  • meet our budgetary and programmatic needs
  • strengthen relationships with current funders
  • cultivate relationships with prospective funders
• Leading the preparation of:
  • grant proposals and other submissions to prospective funders
  • grant reports and correspondence/communications with current funders
  • organizational marketing materials, “annual reports,” lists of upcoming projects, and other documents necessary to effectively solicit funds
• Developing and maintaining a solid database of past, current, and prospective funders
• Prepping Fordham’s leadership to maintain and initiate relationships with funders
• Preparing regular status reports to ensure that we are on track to meet our goals
• Leading internal meetings about fundraising strategies and tactics
• Representing Fordham with some current and prospective funders and other outside audiences 

These qualifications are required:

• At least 2-4 years fundraising experience, with demonstrated accomplishments, preferably including extensive work with private foundations
• College degree
• Computer skills in Word and Excel (fundraising databases a plus)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Genuine interest in education reform and public policy
• Demonstrated capacity to work hard, learn, and work closely and comfortably in a small organization with a flexible structure and team attitude
• Desirable: Designation as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)

 Additional Information:

Office location: Downtown D.C. (Farragut Square) 

Salary: Very competitive, depending on experience; year-end bonus for stellar performance 

Benefits: Outstanding. Full health and dental, 3 weeks paid vacation, generous retirement plan, and metro/parking reimbursement. 

Contact Information

To apply: send a resume, a list of three+ references, and a cover letter explaining your philosophical interest in the organization and your salary requirements to claire@talentmarket.org. 

For more information on Fordham, visit http://www.edexcellence.net/.

 Deadline: Candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis until one is selected, so please apply as soon as possible. Candidates should be available to start no later than April 1, 2010. 

Fordham is an equal opportunity employer.

Technology Policy Analyst – Americans for Prosperity Foundation – Washington, DC

Reports To: Vice President of Policy

Location: National Office, Arlington, VA   

SUMMARY: The technology policy analyst is expected to work both independently and in a team structure to track and influence legislative and regulatory issues on the federal and state levels on technology policy and media reform issues.  Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP Foundation) is committed to preserving an Internet that is free from excessive federal regulations, including so-called network neutrality or open Internet requirements.  The technology policy analyst must be proficient on this issue and the so-called media reform movement that is pushing it.  Additionally, they must also be able to integrate technology issues into the larger AFP Foundation mission of lower taxes and less government. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Track federal and state legislative and regulatory technology issues
• Update national and state staff on relevant developments
• Draft appropriate written materials, including: talking points, op-eds and blog posts
• Represent AFP Foundation at congressional and coalition meetings
• Speak at relevant events and in the media 
• Demonstrate a flexible work ethic to assist on other projects as needed 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:   

• 2-4 years of experience working on relevant policy issues
• Working knowledge of network neutrality, media reform, municipal broadband, national mapping, fairness doctrine, diversity, telecom reform, and related issues 
• Ability to leverage social media to disseminate policy information and organize issue campaigns
• Integrity, humility and an entrepreneurial attitude
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently on special projects with minimal direction 

Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) organization of citizen leaders committed to educating consumers, business owners, and the general public about the value and operation of an open and market-oriented economy that is free of government interference.  

TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter, resume and salary history/requirements to: claire@talentmarket.org.  AFPF is an equal opportunity employer.

Vice President – Center for Education Reform – Washington, DC

The Center for Education Reform (CER) in Washington, DC seeks a Vice President to drive organizational success. 

Responsibilities for the Vice President include:

• Ensuring the growth goals of the organization are met, if not exceeded
• Driving a variety of organizational projects to completion
• Providing lateral support to staff members, including helping them to implement new and innovation processes, develop new approaches, and increase productivity and effectiveness
• Assisting the President with the training, hiring, and development of staff members,  including conducting reviews and evaluating organizational structure
• Working closely with the President to implement CER’s strategic plan, which includes driving organizational growth, executing business development ideas, outreach and potentially fundraising  

The ideal Vice President candidate will have the following attributes:

• Minimum of 10 years of work experience
• Demonstrated success implementing a strategic growth plan
• Private sector business experience; experience managing successful business initiatives
• Significant experience managing projects, with a track record of follow-through, growth, and ultimately, success
• Assertive personality and the ability to provide candid feedback about progress and where improvements need to be made
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA strongly preferred
• Understanding of and commitment to the mission of CER
• Experience working in the education reform field or in an education-related nonprofit a plus

To apply for this position, please submit a résumé and cover letter explaining your interest in this role (including salary requirements) to claire@talentmarket.org. 

About the Center for Education Reform

The Center for Education Reform drives the creation of better educational opportunities for all children by leading parents, policymakers and the media in boldly advocating for school choice, advancing the charter school movement, and challenging the education establishment. 

Through its storehouse of data and unique insights into American communities, CER uses information to turn parents into activists, policymakers into advocates, and educators into reform leaders. 

The Center for Education Reform changes laws, minds and cultures to allow good schools to flourish. 

The Center for Education Reform is a 501c(3) public, non-profit corporation organized in the District of Columbia in 1993. Support for CER comes from more than 1,000 individuals, foundations, and civic leaders.

Chief Philanthropy Officer – Pacific Legal Foundation – Sacramento, CA

Pacific Legal Foundation  is the oldest and most successful public interest legal organization that litigates for property rights, limited government, free enterprise, and a balanced approach to environmental regulation in courts across the country. 

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) will work in close collaboration with the Board of Trustees and other members of the executive management team to expand current fund raising efforts, and to strategically build a comprehensive philanthropy operation, with a primary focus on expanding and improving a major gifts and planned gifts program. 

The CPO will have the ability to develop new and creative approaches to increase individual giving, with particular attention to major donors, and to ensure ongoing philanthropic support from foundations and corporations which share our goals. The ideal candidate will possess proven leadership, management, and organizational skills; a strong record of securing major gifts; substantial experience working with Boards; and the energy, enthusiasm, professionalism, and communications skills to drive and achieve ambitious fund raising goals. 

In addition, PLF seeks a candidate with a strong personal commitment to freedom, an understanding of the need to philanthropically engage a like-minded constituency, and to integrate our fund raising initiatives as part of the core mission of the organization. Such an affinity with PLF’s substantive work will be essential in successfully developing a vision for the philanthropy operation. 

Major Functions and Responsibilities: 

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Philanthropy Officer is responsible for the leadership and management of the Philanthropy Office, including individual philanthropy (major and planned gifts, direct mail appeals, internet outreach), foundation and corporate giving, special events, and Board relations.  The CPO will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer, serving as a key member of the executive management team, and will help the organization grow through the solicitation of and support from the funding community throughout the nation.  S/he will oversee a staff of eight philanthropy officers.  In addition, the CPO will be responsible for our relationships with our philanthropy consultants.  The Philanthropy department is also supported by the Director of Administration who manages all support staff and the Financial Services manager who specializes in Raiser’s Edge. 

In addition, the Chief Philanthropy Officer will: 

• Provide dynamic and innovative leadership for PLF’s fund raising efforts, improving upon an existing infrastructure that supports short-term and long-term goals, including a major gifts program and a planned giving program.  Maintain and expand a strong financial base for the organization by strategically utilizing resources to develop, build and sustain diverse funding sources.
• Inspire and engage a group of elite donors and volunteer leaders interested in promoting political and economic freedom.
• Establish a systematic prospect research program to expand the pool of major gift probable donors.  Deepen relationships with current donors while launching systematic initiatives to identify and target other individuals capable of making major financial contributions.
• Help establish and staff the Philanthropy Committees of the Board of Trustees and the National Philanthropy Council.  Assist in the identification, recruitment and cultivation of Committee and NPC members who are potential Board members on a national basis, identifying key leaders with an affinity for the mission and programs of PLF; build a volunteer structure that encourages a peer-to-peer relationship model of cultivation and solicitation.
• Support the Chief Executive Officer in his role as chief spokesperson and fundraiser.  Utilize key leadership’s time and talents appropriately with respect to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
• Supervise PLF’s efforts to maintain and build upon our base of private foundation support.  Work with staff to develop new strategies and tailored cases for support to enhance the organization’s relationships with the foundation community.
• Create new strategies to enhance the organization’s relationships with local and international corporations and other business entities.
• Oversee implementation and follow through of all fund raising events and ensure that events are strategically positioned to improve donor relationships effectively and efficiently.
• Oversee Philanthropy Office operations, including implementing Moves Management™.
• Work with Directors of Administration and Finance to maintain appropriate gift accounting and acknowledgement, computer system operations, the tracking of gifts and grants, planned gift distributions, donor stewardship, and integration with PLF’s data systems.
• Enhance communication on all levels of the organization:  keeping donors and the public informed, thanked, and involved; designing and managing effective Board and staff communications; and ensuring increased giving opportunities.
• Supervise all Philanthropy Officer personnel activities, including the hiring, definition of job responsibilities, and performance review process for each officer.
• As needed, recruit and train a high-quality staff that is well prepared to meet the ongoing challenges of a fast-moving organization.
• Foster an environment that rewards new ideas and risk-taking, builds confidence, encourages teamwork, and promotes a focus on success; celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for the future.
• Help plan and carefully manage the development/philanthropy budget, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to ensure adequate support of PLF’s mission.
• Collaborate with the Director of Communications on all philanthropic-related communications and marketing activities, including print and electronic publications.
• Work collaboratively and in coordination with other department directors.  Conduct effective interdepartmental communications and provide regular summaries of all philanthropy activities to PLF’s Board of Trustees and executive management.

Requirements 

• An energetic, dynamic leader who has a track record of effective management and fund raising.  Experience formulating and executing a successful, comprehensive fund raising program including annual campaigns, foundations grants, major giving, direct mail, and planned giving.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts; and lead others in doing so.
• Demonstrated mastery of and ability to apply Moves Management™ concepts as PLF utilizes them to secure major and planned gifts.
• Strong management skills, both strategic and operations, and a demonstrated ability to build, manage, mentor and motivate an effective team.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a strong CEO, Board members, staff and volunteers, providing strong support and inspiring them to productive action.
• Thoughtful and creative problem solving skills.
• Excellent written, presentation and communication skills with the ability to deal with property rights and limited government issues, both directly and passionately, and translate PLF’s mission and programs into fund raising initiatives that garner financial support.
• Proven ability for operational efficiency and optimal use of resources; the skills to plan, monitor and tightly manage a budget.
• Excellent staff development and management skills.
• A proven ability to gain the respect and cooperation of all interested parties, including national leaders who are lawyers and advocates for American freedoms.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with Raiser’s Edge and online advocacy tools.
• A strong commitment to freedom.
• Bachelor’s degree a minimum, advanced degree will be a slight advantage.
• Willingness to travel as needed to advance Pacific Legal Foundation.
• Background and credit check required.

Benefits

PLF offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package, which includes 100% employer paid medical, dental, vision, cafeteria plans, life insurance, long- and short-term disability insurance, 401(a) pension plan and 403(b) plan.  

Interested candidates should submit a résumé and a cover letter detailing their philosophical interest in the organization’s mission and salary requirements to claire@talentmarket.org.

Capitol Reporter – Rio Grande Foundation – Santa Fe, NM

The Rio Grande Foundation (RGF), New Mexico’s only free market think tank, is starting a new Capital Reporter project and is looking for an independent, self-starting journalist to cover state government, particularly issues with the state government in Santa Fe.

The idea behind this project is to cover tax, budget, and fiscal issues for an online newspaper. Currently, the paper is online at: www.capitolreportnewmexico.com.

We are hoping to expand operations with video, audio and written content with a capable reporter who can provide objective, factually accurate reporting in these formats for a Web-based audience.

Salary and benefits will be based on experience with a baseline and incentives based on quality content. We operate a virtual office.

Responsibilities for this role include:

• Managing research and analysis on a multitude of issues relating to the state government’s use of taxpayer dollars
• Covering all aspects of statehouse news when the legislature is in session
• Monitoring and writing government and policy focused stories emanating from  state agencies and the Governor’s office
• Covering issues of importance to New Mexico’s electorate, especially those related to policy, politics, and how government involvement helps or hinders the citizenry
• Conception and execution of compelling, sophisticated stories and video interviews that reach a broad online readership
• Producing a lively mix of news and analysis that consumers find both relevant and interesting
• Utilizing new media tools (including Facebook, Twitter, other new media outlets) to maximize public awareness
• Clearly and simply articulating complex policy initiatives, as well as first and second order consequences of such policy
• Taking and editing digital photographs, videos and audio recordings
• Meeting the highest standards of journalistic competence and professionalism
• Partnering with other investigative reporters and journalists from state based news organizations, public-policy institutions & watchdog groups to share leads and information

 

Candidates must have the following attributes: 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of new media, website maintenance, and basic video production
• Self-starter mentality
• Ability to work independently to identify news-worthy stories
• Experience utilizing open-records law
• Solid understanding of basic economic principles and how markets work
• A bachelor’s degree

Interested candidates should submit a résumé, writing samples, and a cover letter including salary requirements to claire@talentmarket.org.

About the Rio Grande Foundation

The Rio Grande Foundation is a research institute dedicated to increasing liberty and prosperity for all of New Mexico’s citizens. We do this by informing New Mexicans of the importance of individual freedom, limited government, and economic opportunity.

Investigative Reporter – Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity – Portland, Maine

The Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity  seeks an investigative reporter based in Portland, Maine.

Responsibilities for this role include:

• Managing research and analysis on a multitude of issues relating to the state government’s use of taxpayer dollars
• Covering all aspects of statehouse news when the legislature is in session
• Monitoring and writing government and policy focused stories emanating from  state agencies and the Governor’s office
• Covering issues of importance to Maine’s electorate, especially those related to policy, politics, and how government involvement helps or hinders the citizenry
• Conception and execution of compelling, sophisticated stories and video interviews that reach a broad online readership
• Producing a lively mix of news and analysis that consumers find both relevant and interesting
• Utilizing new media tools (including Facebook, Twitter, other new media outlets) to maximize public awareness
• Clearly and simply articulating complex policy initiatives, as well as first and second order consequences of such policy
• Taking and editing digital photographs, videos and audio recordings
• Meeting the highest standards of journalistic competence and professionalism
• Partnering with other investigative reporters and journalists from state based news organizations, public-policy institutions & watchdog groups to share leads and information

Candidates must have the following attributes: 

• Solid background in journalism, investigation, and research
• Established record of getting published or broadcast
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of new media, website maintenance, and basic video production
• Ability to work independently and identify news-worthy stories
• Experience utilizing open-records law
• Solid understanding of basic economic principles and how markets work
• A bachelor’s degree

Interested candidates should submit a résumé, references, writing samples, and a cover letter including salary requirements to claire@talentmarket.org. 

About the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity

The Franklin Center is a non-profit group dedicated to providing investigative reporters and non-profit organizations at the state and local level with the training, expertise and technical support necessary to pursue journalistic endeavors.

The Franklin Center was founded in January 2009.  At the heart of the Franklin Center’s mission is a belief that new technology can advance the cause of transparency in government. This can only be accomplished, however, if the journalists of tomorrow can effectively master this new media. The Franklin Center aims to educate, advise and train individuals and organizations from all backgrounds to become thorough, unbiased and accurate reporters well versed in new media techniques and journalistic integrity.

The Franklin center is engaged in numerous journalist research projects, education programs and training programs designed to provide the network of investigative reporters and the general public access to information and news. At the core of the programs of the Franklin Center is the desire to implement training programs and policies that ensure the networking and cooperation of all reporters across the nation.

Staff Attorney – Goldwater Institute – Phoenix, AZ

The Phoenix-based Goldwater Institute, Arizona’s leading free-market policy organization, has an immediate opening for an experienced litigator in its Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation.  The Center litigates a wide range of cases, primarily under the Arizona Constitution, seeking to curb government excesses and protect individual rights.  The staff attorney will take the lead and/or assist in developing and litigating cases, provide litigation support including case filings and managing the litigation calendar, recruit and supervise law clerks, engage in scholarly writing and public speaking, and work as an integral part of the Institute in developing sound public policy ideas. 

Investigative Reporter – The Yankee Institute – Hartford, CT

The Yankee Institute (www.yankeeinstitute.org), an independent, free-market think tank with offices in Hartford, Connecticut, seeks a full-time investigator and writer. 

The focus of the position is to be a government watchdog who conducts investigative reporting on Connecticut state and municipal government, policies, and people. The emphasis is on identifying questionable government spending, such as examples of waste, cronyism, corporate welfare, and hypocrisy. A familiarity with Connecticut state government and Connecticut politics will be helpful. 

Applicants should have a background in journalism, investigation, and research, and have an established record of getting published or broadcast. Strong written and verbal communication skills are musts. An ideal candidate will have skills in new media, including knowing how to maintain a website and enough basic technical ability to produce an original content video and post it to YouTube and Facebook. The position also requires old fashioned, pre-internet research skills that involve archives, stacks, reference librarians, and the touching of real paper, as well as the art of finding and persuading the right person to talk. 

This is not a highly structured position. A successful applicant will have a demonstrated ability to work independently. Some topics may be suggested or assigned, but most are expected to be identified by the reporter. An entrepreneurial mindset, both in terms of identifying topics and promoting and bringing attention to one’s findings, will help a hire be successful. The reporter is expected to produce regular content resulting from a mix of short and long term projects. 

Sharing our free-market and limited government outlook and philosophy is important to being a good cultural fit for our organization. 

Compensation: Commensurate with ability and experience. 

Location: The Yankee Institute has offices on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. A successful hire could work outside the office at least part of the time, but spending considerable time in Hartford will be necessary to develop the relationships needed to be successful in the position. 

Applicants should send a brief letter of interest, resume, and copies of or links to relevant work to claire@talentmarket.org.