The Fairness Project seeks a Development Director to join our senior leadership team. As a 501c4 nonprofit advocacy organization, we’re seeking someone with experience in both political campaigns and progressive nonprofits. This is a fully remote, full-time position offering competitive compensation and benefits. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis.
About the Fairness Project
The Fairness Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing social and economic justice via ballot measures. Born out of the labor movement, our organization has won 24 campaigns in more than a dozen states to raise wages, stop predatory lenders, expand health care access, secure paid leave, and protect democracy. We partner directly with local coalitions of advocates to incubate, manage and fund these life-changing campaigns. We are the national experts in how progressives can take important issues directly to voters - even in deep red states - and win lasting change. For more information about our work and impact, visit www.thefairnessproject.org.
About the Position
The Development Director will be responsible for creating and implementing the fundraising and donor stewardship strategy for the Fairness Project (TFP). Reporting to and in partnership with TFP’s Executive Director, the Development Director will grow our fundraising program significantly, with a particular focus on expanding and diversifying our pipeline of individual and institutional donors. The Development Director will support strategic direction-setting for the organization while also managing day-to-day tasks relating to prospecting, fundraising, and donor stewardship.
The Fairness Project is a 501c4 advocacy organization, so we occupy a unique niche in the fundraising space. We are a nonprofit organization that must raise consistent, reliable funds to fuel our operations and we are also a political organization with campaign-related deadlines looking to reach politically active donors. An ideal candidate will have an entrepreneurial spirit, consistently spotting or creating new opportunities to reach new prospects and elevate our organization’s profile.
We are also in a moment of expansion as an organization - growing our team, adding new issues to our portfolio (reproductive rights!), and broadening our partnerships with national and local organizations. We’re looking for a Development Director who finds this growth exciting and who can balance the need to have a clear strategy to focus our work along with a dynamic political landscape that requires flexibility.
Responsibilities
Vision-Setting & Leadership (25%)
Participate at the highest level of organizational strategy and goal-setting alongside the Executive Director, Board members, consultants, and fellow directors;
Develop and execute the TFP’s multi-channel development program to ensure a long-term, recurring, diversified funding base;
Provide ongoing analysis of what’s working, what’s not, and how to recalibrate;
Manage and cultivate talent on the development team, both staff and consultants.
Fundraising (75%)
In partnership with the Executive Director, identify, develop, and cultivate major gifts prospects – both individual and institutional;
Develop and execute strategies to close and steward donors, including a cadence of regular donor outreach via events, briefings, newsletters, and individualized communication;
Hold direct relationships with major donors, both individual and institutional, both making initial asks and cultivating ongoing giving;
Maintain expertise in TFP’s current activities, impact and goals, and communicate those effectively to donors and prospects in writing and verbally;
Build and develop Board capacity and goal-setting to drive fundraising impact;
Oversee development department organization and recordkeeping, including maintaining the development database and producing quarterly reports to track progress.
Note: Grassroots / digital fundraising is not one of the Development Director’s responsibilities though they will coordinate closely with our digital fundraising team.
What You Bring to the Table:
Infectious enthusiasm for the Fairness Project’s mission and dedication to progressive, inclusive values;
Deep development experience (5+ years) in the non-profit or political sector; fundraising experience for progressive candidates and 501(c)(4) entities strongly preferred;
Track record of identifying, cultivating, and soliciting significant individual and institutional donors;
Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with an aptitude for developing and delivering successful presentations to engage key stakeholders;
Energetic, entrepreneurial spirit with an eagerness to network, develop relationships, and create connections;
Experience managing teams, including offering clear, constructive feedback, helping junior staff set priorities, and encouraging growth;
Strong time-management skills and ability to work efficiently and effectively in a deadline-driven, fast-paced environment;
You believe in and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and ensure that all employees, no matter their background, are welcome and can thrive at the Fairness Project.
More Information
The Fairness Project is a fully remote team and employs staff in various time zones within the United States. However, this position requires regular travel for donor meetings and events so it’s preferred that this candidate lives within a reasonable distance from a major airport.
The starting salary range for this position is $120,000 - $135,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include 100% premium-covered health, dental, and vision care, generous paid time off, 401(k) contributions, cell phone stipend, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
The Fairness Project is committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our campaign work reflects these values that fight racial, gender, sexual, and economic inequality. Internally, we seek to build and empower a diverse staff and leadership team. People of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We also welcome applications from folks with unconventional or nontraditional backgrounds with transferable skills. The Fairness Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer without regard to race, color, religion, gender or gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.