Development Officer or Senior Development Officer, Institutional Giving

Freedom House monitors, strengthens, and defends democracy worldwide through programs that support frontline activists, research, and advocacy. We are leaders in identifying threats to civil liberties and political rights, and never in our 78-year history has our work mattered more. Freedom House is in a period of growth, which includes a strong commitment to securing new external funds and diversifying our private fundraising.  This position presents an opportunity to be a part of a growing development team with the enthusiastic support of the organization’s senior leadership.  

We seek an experienced fundraiser to serve as Development Officer or Senior Development Officer, based on the candidate’s prior experience.  This position will focus primarily on foundation fundraising, through support some of the organization’s corporate and government-related fundraising as well.   

This position reports to Freedom House’s Vice President, Development. 

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:  

The Development Officer or Senior Development Officer will be an integral member of the Development team working with the Vice President of Development to develop strategies to maintain current institutional funding and secure funding from new institutional supporters.  

Essential duties include: 

• Leads foundation fundraising in partnership Vice President of Development. Serves as a thought partner on foundation development strategy and plans to develop and implement long-term stewardship and cultivation strategies.  

• Meets with foundation staff to secure grants for Freedom House, including preparing Freedom House staff and leadership for these conversations.  

• Manages the application, renewal, and reporting process for all foundations as provided by donor/prospect.  

• Has primary responsibility – in partnership with relevant program and operational staff – for developing and submitting foundation proposals, budget, budget narratives, and reports.    

• Tracks institutional funders’ deadlines and important dates in Freedom House’s database.  

• Identifies and qualifies new prospective institutional funders 

• Identifies important achievements across Freedom House with a view to developing written content and communications for relevant funders. 

• Leads foundation strategy meetings with development and program staff to assess action required with regard to foundation funding. 

• Other writing and research assignments as needed.  

• Other duties as requested based on department and/or organizational need. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree required.  

• 4+ years (Development Officer) or 10+ years (Sr. Development Officer) of progressively increasing responsibility as an institutional fundraiser.  Experience with foreign and domestic funding is preferred, but not required. 

• Exceptional writing ability. Able to synthesize information from throughout the organization into clear, compelling, and concise written materials. 

• Proficient in creating project budgets and financial reporting.   

• Superb attention to detail, balanced against consistent production of timely, error-free work.  

• Strong reasoning and strategic thinking skills.  

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including interacting with people with a wide range of political and social views. Comfortable serving as support to senior executives as they manage fundraising prospects and donors. Skilled in establishing trusted partnerships throughout the organization and using expert judgment when dealing with internal and external constituents. 

• Ability to multi-task, work effectively, and produce high-quality work in a fast-paced, high-volume, deadline-driven environment.  Ability to take initiative, prioritize duties, and work independently, as well as collaboratively, with a spirit of flexibility and positive outlook.  

• Demonstrated interest in human rights and democracy as well as dedication to the organization’s mission. 

• Experience using Salesforce as a fundraising tool is preferred. 

Additional Information 

• Diversity makes our work stronger. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds—particularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color, individuals from the LGBTI+ community, and people living with disabilities—to apply.  

• Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States. 

• Freedom House provides a competitive benefits package, including a 403(b) retirement account with generous matching, commuter benefits, flexible hours, floating holidays, high employer contributions to medical, dental, and vision programs, basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending account, and more. 

• Salaries are commensurate with experience and based on pay grades that prioritize equity across the organization.  We offer a competitive salary range starting at around $50,000 for the Development Officer or $90,000 for the Senior Development Officer, depending on experience.   

Freedom House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors,  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with Freedom House, please call 202-227-4308 or email hr@freedomhouse.org. 

Applicants are required to complete our online application form and to submit a resume and a cover letter that outlines interests and qualifications for this position. 

Physical Requirements: Sedentary, regularly required to sit for extended periods of time. Constantly talk, hear, and understand speech at normal levels using a telephone. Occasionally required to stand, walk, and bend over; reach overhead; use hands, wrists, and fingers to grasp, push, pull, move, handle, feel, and type. Constantly required to use close vision and distance vision for regular computer work. Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. to waist height. 

General Working Conditions: General working office environment. Some long hours, including evenings and/or weekends as reasonable, to complete essential tasks or attend important events and to be responsive in a timely manner to emergency assistance requests. Travel to event and meeting sites. Exposed to outside weather conditions when required to attend event venues or travel. 

Freedom House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. Read more about the application process and search for answers to common questions here. Freedom House offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package including health and wellness benefits, retirement, and professional development. 

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Keep up with us on social media: Twitter @FreedomHouse, Facebook at FreedomHouseDC