Job Description: Development Director

Transcription

1 Job Description: Development Director Background Appleseed is an award-winning nonprofit network of public interest justice centers around the United States and Mexico, dedicated to building a society in which opportunities are genuine, access to the law is universal, and government advances the public interest. For the past twenty years, Appleseed and Appleseed Centers have brought together volunteers from the law, business, and academic professions to devise long-term solutions to problems affecting the underprivileged and underrepresented in such areas as combatting poverty and building assets, education and vulnerable youth, health and safety and good government, democracy and civic engagement. The Appleseed network is known for being balanced, thoughtful, effective, innovative and collaborative across a range of important justice issues, and has uncovered and addressed numerous important issues. For more information visit: where annual reports are posted. Position Appleseed is seeking a dynamic, creative and organized Development Director who is interested in helping a mission-driven nonprofit thrive and grow. This position reports to the President and works closely with a committed staff, high-level Board of Directors, and dynamic Appleseed Center personnel from around the United States and Mexico. The Development Director will be responsible for planning, directing and coordinating all fundraising activities, with an emphasis on grants and foundations. In addition to raising grant funds and working with the President on pitches, positioning, and travel, the successful candidate will help direct the Event Planner and the Development Associate to secure Appleseed s health and expansion to fuel the Appleseed network s expansion, capacity and continued programmatic success. Duties and Responsibilities Development and Implementation of Fundraising Plan year strategic plan. - implement fundraising initiatives, grant writing and management, focusing on higher dollar gifts from foundations, individuals, law firms and corporations, through events and major donor solicitations, as well as planned gifts, and cy pres awards. The Development Director will also recommend how and whether to ramp up Appleseed s current modest reliance on internet and direct-mail fundraising th Street, NW, 11 th Floor Washington, DC 20005

2 ensure that the time of the President is used effectively on fundraising. volunteers to become donors. -based with the strategic plan. readable and consistent voice to donors and prospects that reflects our core values and strategies. development staff, as well as occasionally with other allied organizations, to develop compelling foundation proposals, ensure timely reporting to foundations and granters, and to ensure that we are on track with deliverables. fundraising opportunities for Appleseed and the network of Centers. Monitor philanthropic trends as they relate to Appleseed s work, communicate these to affected staff and suggest program and fundraising modifications as appropriate. briefings. Work with program staff to understand and communicate effectively about the range of Appleseed projects and accomplishments, both of the headquarters office as well as key Center projects, to fund collaborative projects among Appleseed Centers. ell as all grant reporting requirements. Working with Development staff, conduct follow-up to ensure all pledges are fulfilled in a timely manner. Work with the Operations Director to ensure accuracy of receivables and correct coding and credit of donations. officers throughout the Appleseed network. Find best practices in the network or among other similarly-situated nonprofits and disseminate them throughout the network.

3 President, the board of directors, and where appropriate, our network of Centers, including by scheduling, preparing for, and sometimes attending meetings with potential funders. building grant application for the network and grants for collaborative projects. - Administrative Tasks in Support of Fundraising sely with the President and the Operations Director on budget planning, the identification of Appleseed budgetary needs and the implementation of the fundraising strategy to meet those needs. maintain donor database information and comprehensive donor profiles, documenting correspondence with donors, meeting notes, proposals and background information. the Event Planner, and ensure we make our financial goals for events. Currently, we have three major events per year, in DC, New York, and Chicago, plus additional friendraiser and volunteer appreciation events. Secure event sponsors, co-chairs, honorees, and speakers. Analyze event fundraising and make suggestions for keeping events fresh and helping them grow. writing department reports for all board meetings, generating financial queries and reports to analyze fundraising strategies and coordinating with the Operations Director to ensure accurate accounting. -you letters. Development Associate, who splits her time with Operations). and Skills/Knowledge Experience in fundraising or sales and marketing required, with a demonstrated track record of success in raising major gifts and writing complex proposals for various audiences, including foundations, or parallel experience in sales and marketing with benchmarks such as demonstrated responsibility, initiative, and

4 success in a sales/marketing/proposal writing environment. Experience in a nonprofit organization preferred; better still is experience with fundraising for a justice-based nonprofit. The successful candidate will be comfortable making pitches in person and personally asking people for money. Excellent writing skills, including the ability to produce high quality prose quickly and under deadline. Ability to develop fundraising budgets and prepare financial reports. Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and comfort with Excel. Familiarity with Salesforce is strongly preferred; work with donor databases a must. Basic graphic design a plus. Strong commitment to social justice issues and the mission of Appleseed. Bachelor's degree required. Excellent leadership, management and decision-making skills. Strong oral communications skills, initiative, persistence, ability to multi-task, spirit of teamwork, and a positive attitude are required. The successful candidate should be eager to be an inspiring mentor and colleague to development staff and staff of Centers seeking to expand their capacity for research and advocacy on justice issues. The successful candidate will be able to help motivate Appleseed's prominent board to help build the roster of supporters and expand our fundraising to match our ambitious program agenda. Some travel required. Compensation will be commensurate with experience. Appleseed offers attractive benefits, currently including health care, partial gym membership reimbursement, short and long-term disability insurance, and a 401k matching program.

5 Contact Information Please submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample to Sean Dobson via at sdobson@appleseednetwork.org. Resumes will be reviewed as they are received. The position will be open until it is filled. No phone calls please. Appleseed is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin, genetic information or any other protected status.