US-Based Fundraising Director
Full-Time
Remote Possible
About the organization:
The VAD Foundation is a nonprofit organization working in South Sudan to facilitate community-driven education and development programs. The Foundation provides quality education, livelihood programs, entrepreneurial skills development and health and nutrition to young girls, women, and other community members in South Sudan with the intent that they will go on to create a peaceful and thriving South Sudan.
The VAD Foundation was established in 2007 by Valentino Achak Deng and Dave Eggers after the publication of their book What is the What. The Foundation's first major project was the establishment of Marial Bai Secondary School in South Sudan. In 2018, the Foundation expanded its commitment to girls’ education with the opening of its second campus, the Alok Girls’ Academy in Aweil, South Sudan. The Alok Girls' Academy has an enrollment of more than 500 girl students, teaching upper primary levels through high school. It is the only all-girls’ learning institution of its kind for hundreds of miles around. For more information, please go to: www.vadfoundation.org.
Position Overview:
We are seeking a motivated and creative Fundraising Director to join our friendly, grassroots non-profit organization. The Fundraising Director will manage the VAD Foundation’s fundraising initiatives and US operations. The Fundraising Director will focus on creating and implementing fundraising strategies, increasing funding revenue streams, cultivating and maintaining donors and grantmakers, managing the US office and its administration, among other responsibilities. This is a full-time, US-based position. Location is flexible and the job can be completed from any US-based city but may require occasional travel.
The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who can self-direct, have experience in non-profit fundraising and communications, be a creative thinker and strong writer, and social media expert. Experience in fundraising is a must. The organization has a small staff, and the Fundraising Director will be expected to operate without frequent supervision, raising funds so the schools in South Sudan can thrive.
Responsibilities:
• Design and implement fundraising strategies and events that deepen donor engagement and expand reach
• Coordinate flow of fundraising campaigns, including direct mail and ecampaigns, monthly newsletters managing all aspects including concept, design, and production
• Cultivation and stewardship of individual donors, major gifts, foundations, and corporations
• Create and manage fundraising events including but not limited to speaking engagements for Valentino Achak Deng at colleges, businesses, dinner parties, etc. in the US and internationally
• Represent the organization to donor community, grantmakers, foundations, press, and the general public
• Research and prepare grant proposals for project funding; develop programmatic plans and budgets to support grant submissions
• Maintain budgets and help make projections for annual expenses and fundraising income
• Produce monthly fundraising updates for Board Members
• Write, design, and edit web content, blog, social media, and all outgoing print communications and development materials to bolster fundraising
• Create and monitor budgets with US bookkeeper
• Communicate regularly with VAD Foundation management field staff based in Africa
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree
• Ideal candidate will have 3-5 years’ professional experience in non-profit sector with demonstrated success in a fundraising and/or development position
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills; proven ability to balance competing priorities, complex situations, and tight deadlines
• Strong computer and social media skills (e.g., Google Drive, MS Office applications, Salesforce, Squarespace, Instagram, and Facebook). Adobe Photoshop and In-Design a plus
• Must possess a strong work ethic, be detail oriented, and require minimal direction
• A high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
• Ideal candidate will have history of dedicated volunteer activity and/or commitment to international development, education, or the non-profit sector
• A positive attitude, sense of humor, and friendly personality