Development Associate at Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation - Bismarck, ND

 

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will honor the life, legacy, and enduring significance of our 26th president through thoroughly 21st Century programming and presentation. Rather than asking people to learn about TR, we invite them to learn about themselves through the colorful example of TR. We hope every encounter will inspire bold action and fearless participation In the Arena—and challenge all of us to dare greatly, live passionately, and care deeply. Just like T.R.

With offices in Bismark, ND, and New York City, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation (TRPLF) is working to build a presidential library, the site for which has been selected and the blueprints for which are being drafted. Through the principles of Conservation, Leadership, and Citizenship, we will build an architecturally significant destination at the fulcrum of T.R.’s heroic journey: The Badlands of North Dakota. This is the cradle of his conservation, and where he proved he could embody the strenuous life. Our site location provides a triangle of interest with Mount Rushmore to the south (2.3 million visitors per year) and Yellowstone National Park to the southwest (4.1 million visitors per year). While it is early in the growth of our organization, site selection and the hire of our architect are complete. We have a small development staff, substantial principal gifts fundraising success to date, the endorsement and support of the North Dakota Governor and legislature, and advanced planning for a campaign initiative.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Working in Bismark, ND, and in direct, daily contact with the development team, the Development Associate is responsible for supporting the overall goals of the Foundation with fundraising, events, database management, and the transactional management of gifts. This person will have involvement in a range of needs including gift processing, donor cultivation, stewardship, solicitation as well as information management. Ideally, the Development Associate will grow with our organization so that he or she will present strong candidacy for larger roles in fundraising, events, and/or membership.

The central mechanism for our growth and opening is an ambitious nine-figure campaign now in the “quiet” phase and against which over $156 M has been raised to date. The campaign has been designed and organized through campaign consultants who continue to guide and advise on our efforts. This individual must be committed to the non-traditional aspects of working during COVID-19, managing the start-up nature of the enterprise, and adapting to the dynamics of a small team filling in as needed to serve big ambitions for an important cause. S/he will understand our mission and the sweep of our vision and will fit well within our culture of driven, organized, dedicated, (fun) professionals. This is an exciting, high-access, front-line opportunity enlivened by the small size of our team, the start-up nature of the enterprise, and our national-caliber brand and stature.

 

HOW YOU’LL CONTRIBUTE

• Process incoming philanthropic gifts with database entry, receipting, and proper banking and financial reconciliation.

• Assist with varied needs including, donor cultivation, briefing, events, stewardship, solicitation as well as information management.

• Earn the confidence of leadership with effective reporting. Prepare diagnostic reports and queries to evaluate progress toward benchmark goals. Provide year-end reports to board and finance colleagues.

• Develop and assess policies and procedures that are essential for completeness in gift processing, receipting, and pledge collections.

• Serve as an effective ambassador for TRPLF and as a contact for donors, helping to resolve problems, questions, and concerns.

• Involvement with events planning and execution at all levels of the TRPLF.

• Continuously provide statistical analysis on solicitation and collection trends

• Inspire the respect and confidence of stakeholders, corporate executives, foundation executives, and our Board.

• Other duties as needed.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree with 2-5 years experience, preferably in development.

• Financial literacy and comfort with systemized, organized approaches.

• Diplomatic, ethical, and responsible, with the highest level of integrity.

• A genuine passion for our mission, energy of action, and an ethic for achievement.

• Excellent organizational, social, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and excellent judgment.

• A hospitable and welcoming demeanor that encourages cooperation and high regard for the TRPLF.

• Ability to manage multi-phase projects from inception to completion, as well as the ability to balance multiple concurrent priorities.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Detailed-oriented, well organized, focused, and goal-oriented, with high levels of initiative and energy.

• Excellent problem-solving skills as well as the ability to use good personal judgment in situations requiring tact.

• Respect for confidentiality and absolute professional discretion.

• Experience forging relationships with multiple donor sources and establishing the confidence of constituents through professionalism and positive results.

• Ability and proven success as a creative and resourceful problem-solver who can deal with some level of ambiguity and strive to build consensus and execute strategy.

• Strong knowledge and fundamental adherence to principles, ethics, and best practices of successful fundraising or marketing in keeping with a national presidential library that must maintain an immaculate public reputation.

• Ability to think strategically and capitalize on opportunities.

• Ability to conform to the national scope of the project, with a willingness to travel as required.

• Superior writing skills that set the standard in an organization with superior language talents, especially concerning varied audiences (solicitations, personal correspondence, etc.)

• Strong computer skills, including experience using word processing, CRM, and presentation software, and the functional understanding of cross-communication among these systems.

• Extremely organized with superb attention to detail.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including flexibility, sense of humor, and ability to communicate professionally and diplomatically with a wide variety of constituencies.

 

BENEFITS

Full benefits including medical, dental, and vision provided. TRPLF offers no 401(k) or other retirement benefits. Industry competitive salary.

EEO STATEMENT

TRPLF is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. TRPL does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

INTERESTED?

Please send a cover letter to jobs@trlibrary.com, Required subject line designation: Development Associate ND. No phone calls, please. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.