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Director of Individual Philanthropy, Environmental Organization (Fully Remote)

Employer
Food & Water Watch
Location
District of Columbia, United States
Salary
Competitive Salary
Closing date
Dec 8, 2022

View more

Position Type
Fundraising, Major Gifts
Fields
Environment
Employment Type
Full Time
To protect our food, water, and climate, Food & Water Watch organizes people around the country to build political power. We mobilize at the local, state, and federal levels to win the fights others are afraid to even take on. From banning fracking to shutting down factory farms to making sure communities across the country have access to clean water, we’ve fought against greedy corporations and reckless government agencies, and we’ve won time after time. We fight — and win — in the courts, in the halls of Congress, and on the ground in every state. Corporations may have the money, but we believe people have the power to make real change. 

Food & Water Watch is seeking an experienced and highly organized Director of Individual Philanthropy who will plan, implement, and coordinate a national major gifts program. One of the main goals of this position is to increase Food & Water Watch’s major giving philanthropy, solidifying the organization’s funding structure and expanding its capacity.

The Director of Individual Philanthropy reports to the Managing Director of Philanthropy and works closely with a variety of staff, including the Executive Director, program directors, and organizing staff across the country. To match the rapidly growing threats to our food, water, and climate, Food & Water Watch (FWW) has an aggressive 5-year strategic philanthropy plan to increase revenue to support our grassroots organizing, legal, communications, policy, and research teams. This position is vital to raising over $1.5 million annually, and have the vision to grow this program year after year.

Office Location: While FWW has physical offices in Washington D.C., New York, NY, New Brunswick, NJ, and Los Angeles, CA, this position is approved for remote work if desired. Other team members live in California, New Jersey, and New York and all staff are working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benefits: We offer an excellent benefits package that includes 100% employer paid medical/vision/dental/long-term disability, 403(b) retirement plan, and generous paid leave.

Food & Water Watch is committed to the health and safety of its staff members. Moreover, FWW, as an organization, promotes science-based policy. Science clearly shows that unvaccinated populations drive the spread of the coronavirus and the emergence of new variants and that unvaccinated people are more likely to contract COVID and experience severe symptoms. Effective immediately, prospective new staff members are required to provide proof of vaccination or request a waiver as a condition of their offer of employment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Lead strategy for major gifts and planned giving programs, directing staff on all aspects of the program and its deliverables. Supervise and mentor team members as required and ensure that individual performance goals are met. Oversee strategy and day-to-day operations for the planned giving program and execute marketing, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for the program. Collaborate with colleagues on strategy for mid-level giving program and the pipeline/discovery process from mid-level to major gifts including prospect review, research, and moves management processes to ensure appropriate and timely placement of donors on portfolios. Manage a portfolio of 60 to 85 major donors, many with annual gifts of $10,000 and above. Provide consistent cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship through personal visits, telephone calls, written proposals and other communications. Collaborate and work with Special Events Manager on the coordination of major gifts cultivation and stewardship events. Work directly with the Managing Director of Philanthropy in setting and achieving annual goals for all team members. Advise Managing Director of Philanthropy on staff and resource needs for the team. Oversee national electoral fundraising plan for Food & Water Action and any Food & Water Action PAC. Work with Managing Director of Philanthropy to oversee Food & Water Watch Advisory Council and develop Food & Water Watch board member pipeline. Carry out other projects, as assigned. SUPPORTING OUR CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY: All staff must assist in fundraising and development for the organization. All staff must demonstrate an understanding that our members and supporters make our work (and our salaries) possible and should provide the highest level of customer and member services to people outside the organization. While your job position does not require you to raise any particular amount, you are expected to always be an “ambassador” for FWW/FWA and our work. All staff is expected to help with and participate in/attend events and other activities as appropriate that are organized for our supporters and donors. All staff is expected to be cognizant of fundraising opportunities and to share contacts and information that will help build and sustain FWW/FWA.  

QUALIFICATIONS:    To perform this job successfully, the person in this position has a high degree of contact with donors and prospects; a high degree of contact with Managing Directors and other staff; and a high degree of contact with non-development related activities.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.                                                                                                         

Education/Experience: Bachelor’s Degree (BA, BS, etc.) and a minimum of ten years major gifts and planned gift fundraising experience, preferably within a political or advocacy environment. At least five years of direct management experience. Demonstrated success personally soliciting gifts at the five-figure level and above. A track record of portfolio management meeting yearly solicitation goals. Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with leadership and staff, prospects and donors. Excellent organizational skills and successful experience managing events and other complex activities in support of development initiatives. Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to make effective presentations to small and large groups. Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects and others. Ability to conduct research and assemble data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate and timely reports and other documents to support development activities.

Computer Skills: An individual should be able to work in a computerized environment and have adequate knowledge of word processing, email, internet and spreadsheet software; in particular adequate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point and proficiency with all other Microsoft Office products; have adequate knowledge of working with CRM, in particular proficiency with Salesforce.                                                                                            

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:                   

Interpersonal Skills: Maintains confidentiality; remains open to others’ ideas; exhibits willingness to try new ways of doing things.

Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification.

Written Communication:  Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and has excellent grammar and proofreading skills; presents numerical data effectively and is able to read and interpret written information.

Planning/organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans; meets deadlines and adheres to specific timelines; tracks multiple processes to meet goals for timeliness.

Quality control: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and looks for ways to improve and promote quality of own work; promotes and upholds office policies and procedures.

Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; handles several projects concurrently; is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.

Problem-solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully.

Judgment: Displays willingness to make timely decisions; exhibits high-level, sound and accurate judgment.

Safety and security: Actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures; uses equipment and materials properly.

Teamwork:  Contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed; provides excellent internal and external customer service.                                                                 

Diversity:  Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment.                                                                                                     

Ethics:  Treats people with respect and dignity; works with integrity and ethically upholds FWW/FWA’s mission and values.                                                                             

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.                                         

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly be required to talk and hear.  The employee is frequently required to sit and use his/her hands.  The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.

Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to travel.  Ability to make travel arrangements and be comfortable and competent with various forms of transportation and accommodations on behalf of the organization's business. Travel is required up to 50% of the time.                     

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment described below is representative of what an employee may encounter while performing the duties of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The work environment is that which is typical of an office setting.

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