The Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies (DFI) is hiring a Director of Development to help us defend freedom, liberty, and opportunity in America’s schools and workplaces.
About DFI
Based in Washington, DC, DFI is a nonprofit legal and policy advocacy organization focused on federal education, workforce, and civil rights issues. It was launched by two members of former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s leadership team in 2021. DFI envisions a republic where freedom and innovation flourish in our nation’s schools and workplaces, so that all Americans have equal opportunities to learn and work, liberated from undue regulatory burdens, bureaucracy, and discriminatory practices.
We strongly believe in the visionary principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the great civil rights legislation of the twentieth century. We affirm that all persons are born free and created equal with inalienable rights, that the central government should be limited to secure those rights, and that the Constitution and the nation’s laws are color blind.
DFI fights for the public good by: limiting the power of federal agencies, bureaucrats, and government sector unions; expanding opportunities for families, communities, and States; and ensuring the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans at school and at work.
Responsibilities
The Director of Development is charged with helping DFI senior leadership create and execute effective fundraising and development operations for the organization. These responsibilities include:
- Collaborating with DFI senior leadership to refine and execute on a strategic development plan
- Creating effective management systems (including a house file, direct mail acquisition, and a CRM) for donor development, cultivation, solicitation, and retention
- Developing a strategy and implementing a plan for identifying, connecting with, and cultivating donor prospects
- Assisting DFI senior leadership with continuing to build strong relationships with current donors and strategic partners
- Managing the daily operations of DFI’s fundraising and development efforts, including donor outreach and communications (e.g., drafting meeting request letters and emails; tracking deadlines; monitoring Key Performance Indicators; participation in virtual and in-person meetings; and planning and attending special donor events)
- Managing grant applications and related reporting from start to finish to ensure strong representation of our programs and objectives
- Working effectively with any outside development and fundraising consultants to implement an effective donor development and fundraising campaign
- Drafting fundraising reports and presentations for quarterly review by the Board of Directors
- Other donor development responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications
DFI requires the following qualifications for this position:
- At least 5-7 years of work experience with increasing responsibilities
- Donor development and fundraising experience, with a preference given to applicants with a strong understanding of fundraising operations, grant management, and a record of securing major gifts and year-after-year increased donor revenues for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
- A passionate commitment to DFI’s mission, vision, and principles and a strong desire to serve the public good
- Collegiality, a strong work ethic, sound judgment, and a commitment to professionalism, ethics, and civility
- Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial work environment
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, with an ability to work on tight deadlines
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited postsecondary institution is preferred; however, we also recognize that traditional degree requirements can be arbitrarily restrictive, and we welcome applicants with a variety of educational and professional backgrounds.
Location
Candidates should be comfortable working remotely and independently, as well as collaborating with a team. Although DFI anticipates continuing remote operations for the foreseeable future and employees work remotely from any location in the continental United States, candidates based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area are preferred.
Compensation
This position offers a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Travel
Travel up to several days of the month may be required.
How to Apply
To apply, qualified individuals should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:
- Cover letter including:
- An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to DFI’s mission and how you came to those beliefs. Be sure to include at least one specific issue, case, or policy area that resonates with you
- Your interest in the Director of Development role and how your experience relates to the responsibilities of the position
- Resume
- A writing sample of no more than 10 pages, preferably an excerpt from an appeal, impact report, grant request, or other fundraising-related writing
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
Questions can be directed to Stephanie Keaveney, Senior Manager of Outreach at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [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.
