Director of Philanthropic Partnerships & Gifts

The Policing Project at New York University School of Law seeks an experienced fundraising professional to join our team as Director of Philanthropic Partnerships & Gifts. Reporting to and in partnership with the Faculty Director and Executive Director, the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships & Gifts will spearhead development efforts as the Policing Project continues to grow. A new position in the organization, the Director will have the opportunity to build out the development function. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with strong planning, organization, and implementation abilities, have significant experience cultivating and stewarding different types of fundraising relationships, and a proven track record securing funding support for mission-driven work.

Background on the Policing Project

The Policing Project partners with communities and police to promote public safety through transparency, equity, and democratic engagement. We work across a broad range of issues—from use of force and racial profiling, to facial recognition and predictive policing. We do so in close collaboration with groups from across the ideological spectrum and with stakeholders that typically find themselves at odds, including policing agencies, community organizations, governments, and other non-profits. Our work takes us all over the country and is moving the needle in tangible ways.

We bring a new approach to this fraught area, one grounded in democratic values. In particular, our work focuses on ensuring accountability and democratic participation on the front end. Front-end accountability involves promoting public voice in setting transparent, ethical, and effective policing policies and practices before the police act. The goal is achieving public safety in a manner that is equitable, non-discriminatory, and respectful of public values.

You can learn more about our work—past and present—at www.PolicingProject.org and www.SafetyReimagined.org.

Job Description & Responsibilities:

The Director of Philanthropic Partnerships & Gifts will develop and lead all Policing Project fundraising activities, including developing a strategic fundraising plan, leading donor relations, maintaining funder relationships, creating new relationships, and seeking out opportunities for financial support through individual, foundation, government, and corporate grants. Primary responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive and specific fundraising plan that aligns with Policing Project revenue goals for foundation grants, corporate donors, major gifts, individual donors, sponsorships, and events that includes:
• Development and implementation of donor cultivation and stewardship processes
• Development and implementation of plan to identify new fundraising opportunities that are well matched with Policing Project initiatives and priorities
• In collaboration with administrative staff and other team members, draft donor correspondence and maintain responsibility for developing campaign messages, project plans, talking points, and donor materials
• Plan and manage 1-3 fundraising and special events, including supervising contractors hired to assist with events, if needed
• Oversee the ongoing maintenance of donor management tools and databases
• Share and present regular updates on progress toward goals with senior leadership and our Advisory Board

Desired Experience & Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree and prior fundraising experience is required for this position. In addition, we will consider the following qualifications, but do not expect any applicant to have all of them:

Experience developing and executing (with support) a strategic fundraising strategy
3-5+ years of experience developing, growing, and maintaining a range of nonprofit revenue streams with a proven track record of successfully soliciting and closing significant gifts
3-5+ years of experience writing compelling, concise and polished fundraising content, including grant applications, solicitations and donor/funder correspondence
Working knowledge of donor software and other relevant fundraising technology
Experience setting and meeting annual revenue goals
Strong project management skills with excellent attention to detail
Possess exceptional oral and written communication skills

The Policing Project heartily encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

This position can be based out of the Policing Project’s New York City offices or can be full-time remote, with occasional travel to New York. 

Application Instructions 

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume as one PDF to applications@policingproject.org. Indicate “Director of Philanthropic Partnerships & Gifts" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and you will be contacted if selected for an interview.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Law, the salary is in the range of $90,000 – $110,000. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Compensation also includes excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision. After one year, employees are eligible for tuition remission at certain NYU schools and matching retirement contributions.

NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity