THE ORGANIZATION
The Commonwealth Foundation (“CF”) is among the most effective and influential state-based think tanks in the country. Our work is driven by our core values of integrity, being mission driven and results focused, stewardship, people matter, and we engage to improve.
With a top-notch team of policy analysts and legislative and communication experts, CF transforms free-market ideas into public policies, empowering all Pennsylvanians to thrive. We focus on a free-market portfolio, with an emphasis on the following issue areas:
- Fairness
- Independence
- Opportunity
- Prosperity
We start with ideas, then leverage our Policy, Government Affairs, and Public Affairs teams to transform those ideas into real policy solutions that become the law of the land in Pennsylvania.
Our vision is to make Pennsylvania the leading state for opportunity and prosperity through our impact as the most effective policy think tank in America.
LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY AND STANDARDS
The Commonwealth Foundation is guided by a leadership philosophy and standards that require all members of the executive team – including the Vice President of Development – to lead their teams by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization.
The CF leadership mindset that guides the executive team is based upon humility, ownership, and servant leadership.
The executive team members must demonstrate specific, impactful behaviors; they must:
- Model the way
- Inspire a Shared Vision
- Challenge the Process
- Enable Others to Act
- Encourage the Heart.
The executive team members must also act to cultivate several core abilities to drive organizational success; they must:
- Simplify
- Delegate
- Predict
- Systemize
- Structure
VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY
The VP of Development for the Commonwealth Foundation will be responsible for the strategic leadership and management of CF’s development program. This individual will play a leading role in securing significant financial resources to support CF’s mission and goals.
The VP of Development will lead a team of dedicated fundraising professionals and will oversee the day-to-day operations of the development team, providing supervision, guidance, support, and professional development to team members. This individual will build, coach, and develop a high-performance team, including executives and major gifts officers who, together, will ensure CF has the financial resources needed to advance its mission. He/she will monitor team performance and adjust strategies as needed to ensure success.
This role will support the President and CEO by designing, implementing, and driving the execution of both short- and long-term development strategies to increase giving from all sources with an emphasis on growing portfolios of major gifts. The VP of Development will provide forward-thinking leadership on fundraising strategies that identifies prospective donors and solicits major, principal and transformative gifts.
The VP of Development will lead the team in developing and submitting high-quality proposals, grants, direct mail, major gifts, moves management, strategy, stewardship, prospecting, events, measurement, and development messaging. The VP of Development will cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with CF’s internal teams and external stakeholders.
The VP of Development will report to the President and CEO and will oversee a team of 6 direct reports. This role is based in our Harrisburg office and requires working multiple days in-person in the office.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic & Team Leadership, Development/Fundraising Expertise, Modeling Values, and Culture Stewardship:
- Lead a fundraising team of top-notch professionals raising $11 million this year, with the ability to develop and execute a strategic plan for continued growth.
- Equip the CEO with a major donor strategy and weekly plans for relationship management to hit the organization’s multi-year growth goals.
- Prepare and present regular reports for the CEO on development progress, challenges, and financial outcomes, drawing on data from CRM system.
- Collaborate with CF executive leadership team to align development initiatives with CF’s strategic plan and goals.
- Represent CF with key donors and stakeholders through cultivation, solicitation and stewardship to increase CF’s profile and funding portfolio.
- In consultation with the President & CEO, assess the growth potential and effectiveness of CF’s development program; direct the program, including budget management, fundraising personal supervision, planning, staff development, and evaluation.
- Ensure the team cultivates and stewards donors with diligence and care through well-developed moves management plans.
- Ensure exceptional events and donor experiences through events.
- Implement systems and processes to streamline operations, track progress, and assess performance.
- Drive CF’s donor communications strategy.
- Maintain responsibility for the submittal of grant proposals to foundations.
- Oversee and grow direct mail house file and prospecting programs.
- Work with CF executive team to write and revamp pitches and equip all forward-facing executives and fundraisers with what they need for success.
- Maintain a portfolio of major donor relationships assigned to the VP personally.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
- Leadership of the Development team in accordance with the CF Leadership Philosophy and Standards.
- Identifying and implementing long-range strategic development goals in line with
- CF’s strategic objectives.
- Achievement of annual Development and CF business objectives
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education, Experience and Expertise
The ideal candidate for the VP of Development will have a high level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the Commonwealth Foundation’s mission. The individual must have a demonstrated track record of successfully raising money via various methods (major gifts, direct mail, foundations, capital campaign etc.) as well as a history of leading and coaching individuals and teams to success. He/she must possess exceptional leadership and relationship-building skills, and must demonstrate a strong sense of vision, a collaborative work style, and the capacity to engage support for CF.
Required Skills and Attributes
- 7+ years of experience and demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising and management.
- A collaborative, results-oriented leader who inspires and motivates teams.
- Ability to travel, up to 30%.
- Commitment to the Commonwealth Foundation’s mission and core values.
- Ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels, working rapidly on pressing issues while remaining focused on future outcomes.
- A leader and critical thinker with strategic planning, analytical, supervisory, and problem-solving skills.
- A leader and team player with interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
- A proven track record in proposal development, grant writing, and relationship and partnership management.
- Experience working with a CRM to input and analyze data.
- Ability to communicate with impact and adapt the approach to written and verbal communications to match audience needs.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to think creatively.
- Ability to work well under pressure and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
- Adept at problem-solving and time-management to prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Sense of ownership and pride in your performance and its impact on CF’s success.
COMPENSATION
The projected salary range for this role is $170,000-190,000, depending on experience and skills.
BENEFITS
- Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience.
- Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
- Monthly stipend for needed mobile technology.
- 4% company contributions towards a retirement plan.
FLSA Status: Exempt/FT
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Commonwealth Foundation provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
TO APPLY
To apply, qualified individuals should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:
- Cover letter including:
- An introductory paragraph describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to the Commonwealth Foundation’s mission and how you came to those beliefs
- Salary requirements
- Résumé
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
Questions can be directed to Bailey Drouant, Outreach Manager at Talent Market, who is managing the search: [email protected]
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.
