About the Organization
The Children’s Scholarship Fund (CSF) is a national non-profit organization based in New York City that works to advance educational freedom for all children. For more than 25 years, CSF has provided children of low-income families with tuition assistance in grades K-8, while working to expand educational opportunities through education savings account programs and education tax credit programs at the state and national level. CSF relies on financial support from generous individuals, corporations and foundations nationwide to fund our scholarships and operations. We are seeking a Development Director to join our NYC-based team who shares our passion for empowering all parents to choose how best to meet their children’s education needs.
About the Role
The Development Director for New York City will work in our offices in Midtown Manhattan and be part of a small, passionate, creative and talented development team operating in an office culture characterized by high standards and strong cross-functional collaboration. This person will focus on cultivating donors and prospective donors in the greater NYC area, reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Planning & Development, and working directly with the CEO, as well.
The ideal candidate for this position is philosophically committed to ensuring that all parents have the ability to choose how best to educate their children; is collaborative, results driven, attentive to detail, hyper-organized, and outgoing; and has excellent communications skills and a strong work ethic. Having a keen understanding of and ability to articulate educational choice policies is a plus.
While prior fundraising experience is not necessary, the Development Director for New York City must be committed to helping the Children’s Scholarship Fund meet and exceed its goals of raising the financial resources necessary to expand private education opportunities for a growing number of children in need, particularly in NYC. Candidates with experience in business development, external relations, or other relationship-focused roles who are experienced at making direct asks are encouraged to apply.
CSF is committed to identifying a candidate who is a focused, self-motivated team player eager to develop fundraising skills, and enthusiastically serve as an ambassador for CSF, all while building and strengthening donor relationships that advance our mission and help accomplish our strategic goals.
Primary Responsibilities
- Work with the Vice President for Strategic Planning & Development to cultivate, solicit and exercise stewardship of a growing portfolio of donors for CSF scholarships in NY City. This includes:
- Identifying and approaching new NYC area prospects
- Re-engaging and renewing lapsed donors
- Managing and growing CSF’s President’s Council (donors giving $2k+ for NYC Scholarships)
- Building strategic relationships with foundations interested in supporting scholarships in NY; soliciting contributions; submitting letters of inquiry and proposals, and reporting on grants
- Utilize donor research tools effectively
- Build and maintain relationships that deepen donors’ connections with CSF through personal contacts, meetings, networking and promoting CSF’s NYC and national program
- Serve as an ambassador for CSF and its work at occasional conferences and events, sometimes in the evenings and outside of normal work hours, primarily in the NYC area
- Maintain accurate notes, tracking outreach and other relevant information using our Raiser’s Edge database
- Monitor progress toward individual and team fundraising goals
- Provide regular updates and reports to the VP of Strategic Planning & Development; keeping the development team aware of upcoming meetings, submission deadlines, events, and other opportunities to advance our strategic goals
- Collaborate with the development team in strategizing with regard to researching and cultivating prospective donors, developing donor communications materials, outreach opportunities, and events
Qualifications and Skills
- 7+ years of professional work experience, including experience in fundraising, business development, external relations, or a closely-related field
- Enthusiastic team player with strong collaboration and communication skills, along with the ability to take initiative, generate new ideas, and work independently to meet deadlines with little oversight
- Alignment with and excitement for the mission of CSF
- Professional demeanor and excellent demonstrated interpersonal communications skills, both speaking and writing, with close attention to detail
- Ability to stay organized, track progress, and meet goals
- Ability to use Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Raiser’s Edge experience a plus
- Strong work ethic and action-oriented approach to work
- Highly organized and results-driven with a desire to help themselves and the development team efficiently and effectively meet and exceed ambitious goals
- High level of enthusiasm, energy, and productivity with demonstrated follow-through and success in managing a portfolio of current and prospective donors; communicating effectively to keep the team apprised of progress; meeting deadlines; and tracking progress against specific and measurable goals
- Willingness to be flexible and provide assistance where needed to help the overall organization accomplish its goals
- Degree from a 4-year accredited college or university
Location Details
This role requires the ability to meet in person with greater NYC area donors (including in Connecticut and New Jersey) and attend semi-regular meetings and events in the evening and outside of typical working hours. Candidates must be located or willing to relocate to the tri-state area. They also need to be willing to commute to NYC daily and be willing to travel to meetings and events throughout the tri-state area, including for evening events. This is not a remote position and candidates should expect to spend 3-4 days most weeks working from CSF’s offices in Midtown Manhattan. This role requires ~15% of travel outside of the Greater NYC area.
Compensation
The projected salary range for this role is $115,000-$150,000, contingent upon the specific skills and experience of the selected candidate. We are also willing to explore higher compensation for an exceptional candidate with a proven track record of fundraising results.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:
- Cover letter detailing your interest in the position, the mission of Children’s Scholarship Fund, and your salary requirements
- Resume
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
Questions can be directed to Savannah Rupp, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with 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.
