Senior Development Officer – Americans for Prosperity Foundation – Arlington, VA

Reporting to and working in close collaboration with the Director of Development, the Senior Development Officer will design and execute a comprehensive development strategy for regional development. The Senior Development Officer will provide leadership for all state fundraising and serve as the deputy to the Director of Development. This individual will oversee all the Regional Development Officers as they monitor and manage the moves management strategy for their specific states and create, assist and maintain accountability for State Directors in their region to meet budgets. Another responsibility of the Senior Development Officer will be to create and administer fundraising training for all Regional Development Officers, regional development consultants, State Directors and state staff. Work with the management team to identify funds needed, preferred funding targets, and approaches to individual and project fundraising.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:                          

• Develop an overall strategy for regional fundraising 
• Train and mentor development staff and communicate fundraising goals and progress throughout Americans for Prosperity Foundation and Americans for Prosperity 
• Track performance of each Regional Development Officer 
• Manage all fundraising activity performed by all contractors used by State Directors for Development
•  Reconfigure the strategy as things go along and refine the plan accordingly 
• Coordinate the refined plan and execute the newly formulated moves 
• Track all state fundraising events 
• Oversee Moves Management for all major donors 1K – 25K 
• Create and maintain system of communication of state directed direct mail with the overall direct mail program 
• Understand and oversee use of research, prospecting and donors information sources. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:                          

• Experience: Minimum of ten year of development experience and staff management. 
• Development/Fundraising: Proven success in development for a large nonprofit with a preferred knowledge of the Moves Management strategy with donor relationships                         
• Project Leadership: Experience in planning, leading, and managing development projects, including coordinating with peers to achieve desired outcomes, and tracking and reporting on progress to senior managers/board of directors 
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Takes initiative and actively seeks to deepen current donor relationships and to forge new ones 
• Communications: Skilled in creating powerful, compelling written and oral communications for fundraising. Ability to convey complex ideas through brief, simple materials. Experience and credibility when presenting materials to external audiences 
• Influencing: Gets others to accept ideas by using convincing arguments, creates a win-win situation and responds appropriately to key stakeholders 
• Collaboration: Effective at working with others to reach common goals and objectives 
• Relationship Building: Skilled at establishing and cultivating strong relationships with peers, across different levels of the organization and externally 
• Character: Exhibit integrity and humility while possessing a positive attitude and an earnest interest in providing good customer service to our donors, activists and state chapters 
• Organization: Strong attention to detail and excellent problem-solving skills 
• Commitment: A firm commitment to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity through free markets

GENERAL:

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. Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a 501(c) (4) grassroots organization committed to educating and mobilizing citizen leaders interested in understanding and helping solve America’s most pressing policy problems while championing the principles of entrepreneurship and fiscal and regulatory restraint.

 TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter detailing your philosophical interest in AFPF, résumé and salary history/requirements to: claire@talentmarket.org. 

AFPF is an equal opportunity employer. No phone calls please.

Director of Major Gifts – Freedom Alliance – Dulles, VA

Freedom Alliance seeks a Director of Major Gifts to join our development team and help us honor American heroes, support our troops, and celebrate the values that make America great.  Qualified candidates will have a minimum of three years of experience in a similar position and a demonstrated track record of success. The Director is responsible for leading our team of major gifts officers and raising funds for a dynamic and inspirational program agenda by cultivating and soliciting current supporters with the capacity for significant gifts.

Candidates must be passionate about the organization’s mission; entrepreneurial with excellent communication and management skills; great attention to detail; and must be able to travel. 

We offer competitive salary and a full range of employee benefits.

Please e-mail cover letter and resume to: claire@talentmarket.org. Our web address is www.freedomalliance.org.

 Freedom Alliance is an educational and charitable foundation which works to advance the American heritage of freedom by honoring and encouraging military service, defending the sovereignty of the United States and promoting a strong national defense.

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.

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.

Director, Heritage Legacy Society – Heritage Foundation – Washington, DC

Job Summary:          The Director of the Heritage Legacy Society is responsible for managing, promoting, and expanding the Heritage Legacy Society program by generating deferred gift commitments that will result in additions to Heritage’s endowment now and in future years.  The Director of the Heritage Legacy Society directs a team of two and plays a key role in identifying, cultivating, and strategizing about donor advancement in conjunction with the team of solicitors.

Reports to:             Director of Development

Job Duties:

• As a member of the management team, lead the departments overall planning activities, developing specific and measurable department goals that advance Heritage’s vision and mission and complement or support the goals of other departments.
• Establish department priorities, prepare and monitor the department budget, provide overall direction for staff activities, and lead by example. Use department resources effectively to achieve Heritage objectives.
• Enhance the professional and career development of department staff through effective training, mentoring, and performance evaluations. Reward and motivate staff by using bonus and merit increase budgets effectively, and by developing promotion opportunities.
• Recommend department staffing levels, recruit qualified staff to fill approved positions. Prepare job descriptions and advertisements and handle interviews.
• Develop specific and measurable goals for the Heritage Legacy Society program. 
• Cultivate donors and solicit planned gifts.  Solicitation usually conducted on personal, one-on-one basis.  Travel required.
• Work with current and prospective donors in defining their charitable intent – immediate and/or testamentary – and find and/or develop the appropriate funding opportunities at Heritage.
• Maximize the meetings of other solicitors so that Heritage Legacy Society prospects are integrated into travel and solicitation strategies.
• Maintain ongoing, productive relationship with donors, both through personal contact and regular correspondence.
• Manage communications to HLS donors and prospects, through preparation of quarterly newsletter and other marketing materials.
• Train other in-house solicitors how to discuss legacy gifts with donors.  

Skill Factors:

• Education: BS/BA
• Experience: A minimum of seven years professional experience in a gift planning, fundraising, law, or financial planning capacity. At least three years of experience in a non-profit environment with proven history of major donor gift solicitation and management of donor relationships.
• Communications: Highly developed communication skills; strong writing skills; ability to effectively communicate Heritage’s mission, specific program-related objectives, and technical aspects of various planned gifts.  Some marketing experience desirable.  
• Management: Key management skills including strategic planning and goal setting, budgeting, staffing, performance counseling, mentoring, and career planning are required

Special Skills/Requirements:           

• Knowledge of all of the deferred giving instruments and ability to talk about them. Working knowledge of gift planning software such as PG Calc or Crescendo Pro highly desirable.
• A strong degree of empathy.
• Understand and support the Heritage mission and vision for America, and the department’s goals and objectives
• Ability to communicate with donors about their intent.
• Understanding and knowledge about conservative movement.
• Understanding, knowledge, and belief in Heritage’s vision, mission, and objectives.
• Ability to travel. 

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

Major Gift Fundraiser – Media Research Center – Alexandria, VA

The Media Research Center currently has an opening for an experienced major gift fundraiser. Applicants should have a minimum of 2 years of fundraising experience with not-for-profit organizations or with political campaigns. One on one personal solicitation experience with individuals, foundations or corporations is mandatory. This is not an event planning position.  Professional presentation and the ability to effectively communicate in person, over the phone, and in writing are required. Candidates must be well versed in conservative issues and current political events as well as with the media. Competitive compensation is available and is based on experience and accomplishments. The MRC also offers a full range of employee benefits.

About the MRC

The mission of the Media Research Center, “America’s Media Watchdog,” is to bring balance to the news media. Leaders of America’s conservative movement have long believed that within the national news media a strident liberal bias existed that influenced the public’s understanding of critical issues. On October 1, 1987, a group of young determined conservatives set out to not only prove — through sound scientific research — that liberal bias in the media does exist and undermines traditional American values, but also to neutralize its impact on the American political scene. What they launched that fall is the now acclaimed — Media Research Center (MRC). 

Interested parties should submit a resume, a cover letter explaining philosophical and professional interests in the role, and 2-3 writing samples to claire@talentmarket.org.

Major Gifts Officer – Mercatus and IHS – Arlington, VA

 

 

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University and its sister organization, the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS), seek a Major Gifts Officer to join a fast-paced and growing development team.  Responsibilities include assistance in the planning and implementation of major gift strategies for prospective and current individuals and/or foundations.

Ideal candidates will have:

• professional development experience as a front-line fundraiser with a track record of results and a demonstrated ability to take on significant responsibility;
• an appreciation for the missions of each organization;
• detail-orientation;
• excellent communication skills
• entrepreneurial spirit;
• an appreciation for teamwork; and
• a self-starter attitude and ability to drive projects to completion.

The ability and willingness to travel is a requirement for the position.

Mercatus and IHS rely on personal interactions with donors to “move” donors to higher giving levels.  These are often face-to-face meetings, event participation, etc.  The Major Gifts Officer will be required to work with members of the development team to coordinate such personal interactions and have a willingness to meet with supporters. It will be important for the Major Gifts Officer to have a deep understanding of the major gifts strategy and where their skill set would be of most value. 

The Major Gifts Officer reports to the Director of Development and must communicate regularly with senior leadership and to the development team. 

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

Director of Major Gifts – Mercatus and IHS – Arlington, VA

 

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University and its sister organization, the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS), seek a Director of Major Gifts to join a fast-paced and growing development team.  Responsibilities include the planning and implementation of major gift strategies for prospective and current individuals and/or foundations.

Ideal candidates will have professional development experience as a front-line fundraiser with a track record of results and a demonstrated ability to take on significant responsibility.  An appreciation for the missions of each organization is a must.  Candidates must also be detail-oriented, have excellent communication skills, be entrepreneurial, and appreciate teamwork.  The Director of Major Gifts will have a high level of responsibility over his/her projects and must be a self-starter.

Management experience is a plus.  The ability and willingness to travel is a requirement for the position.

Ideal candidates will have:

• professional development experience as a front-line fundraiser with a track record of results
• demonstrated ability to take on significant responsibility. 
• an appreciation for the missions of each organization is a must. 
• candidates must also be detail-oriented, have excellent communication skills, be entrepreneurial, and appreciate teamwork. 
• the Director of Major Gifts will have a high level of responsibility over his/her projects and must be a self-starter.

It will be important for a Director of Major Gifts to utilize and deploy resources where they are most appropriate.  This will require strategic decision making ability.

The Director of Major Gifts position is considered a management level within the Mercatus Center and Institute for Humane Studies.  This position takes responsibility for cultivating current and prospective major donors.  Cultivation requires strategic planning to “move” donors to higher giving levels.

Mercatus and IHS rely on personal interactions with donors to “move” donors to higher giving levels.  These are often face-to-face meetings, event participation, etc.  The Director of Major Gifts will be required to work with members of the development team to coordinate such personal interactions and have a willingness to meet with supporters.

The Director of Major Gifts reports to the Director of Development and must communicate strategy regularly with senior leadership and to the development team.  This person will manage the actions of development associates but must be a “hands-on” leader with a desire to mentor new development professionals.

Qualified candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and prior salary history to claire@talentmarket.org.