Development Director, Advocacy

WHO WE ARE

FWD.us is a bipartisan political organization that believes America’s families, communities, and economy thrive when everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. For too long, our broken immigration and criminal justice systems have locked too many people out from the American dream. Founded by leaders in the technology and business communities, we seek to grow and galvanize political support to break through partisan gridlock and achieve meaningful reforms. Together, we can move America forward.

The Development Director implements all aspects of program functions for fundraising operations including content, format, and logistics. This role cultivates relationships with potential donors and maintains relationships with current donors to solicit funds for the organization. This role reports to the VP, Chief Operating Officer.

Responsibilities: 

Work in partnership with the President and Executive Director to align the strategic direction for organizational fundraising efforts.  Drive and implement a comprehensive development plan to meet annual fundraising goals of – roughly $15 million dollars—largely 501(c)(3) dollars with some 501(c)(4) fundraising goals.  Implement systems to track progress towards the plan, including making mid-year adjustments, and routinely report-out on progress to Senior Staff, core anchor funders, and the Board of Directors. Proactively  identify new funding opportunities and oversee effective plans for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding new donors, including developing compelling and timely pitches. This includes: 
Drafting and/or managing all written grant proposals and financial reports in partnership with fundraising consultants, external grant writers, program staff, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Controller; and  Serving as a key representative for the organization in conversations with current and potential funding partners.
Raise awareness within FWD.us of the fundraising process and goals and mobilize internal partners for effective fundraising operations.  Develop and implement the necessary infrastructure for a best-in-class fundraising operation while ensuring compliance, accountability and integrity. Implement a donor communication program including regular newsletters, memos, thank-you letters, and end-of-year reports. Stay abreast of FWD.us activities; maintain clear understanding of political landscape, particularly as it relates to criminal justice and immigration reform 

Qualifications: 

At least 6 (or more) years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising with a record of success in initiating and cultivating relationships with a diverse array of prospective donors across the private, political, non-profit, and foundation sectors, in a bespoke manner and as part of a broader donor maintenance program. Experience supporting high-performing team members.  Strong organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities.  Strong oral and written communication skills.  Active interest in criminal justice and immigration reform.  Experience fundraising for affiliated 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4), or multiple entities in general, is a plus.  

COVID-19 Considerations

FWD values the health and safety of our staff, their families, and our community. In support of these values, all FWD staff are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted. If selected for this job, incoming hires are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. Requests for reasonable accommodations or exceptions related to medical or religious reasons will be considered. Candidates are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.

Equal Opportunity Employment/Diversity

We are an organization committed to making the world a better place for all people. Diversity is a source of our strength, and allows us to make better decisions, be more impactful, and excel at our jobs day to day. We see our internal commitment to diversity as reflective of how we view the world and the changes we want to see become reality.

This organization is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws.  The company strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees and applicants for employment on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, ancestry,  age, disability, genetic information,  marital status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, promotion, training, discipline and termination. 

The organization understands that too often what are viewed as the traditional credentials are subjective criteria that exclude historically marginalized communities and act as barriers to hiring and recruiting the best candidates.  

As part of FWD’s best hiring practices, we do not have educational requirements for any of our jobs.  Many of our jobs do require specific interpersonal, skill-based, technical, policy or other requirements and applicants for those jobs will be evaluated based on their level of expertise, to include lived experience and work experience - which could have taken place at an educational institution or elsewhere.

FWD.us believes in fair chances and employment opportunities that benefit everyone. Ensuring that people who have had contact with the criminal justice system--including incarceration for serious offenses and substantial periods of time--have the opportunities upon their release to fully succeed and contribute to this country is central to our work and is a value to which we are absolutely committed to uphold in how we operate and who we hire. We do not conduct criminal background checks on applicants, unless required by state or federal law for specific roles. 

The company makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to allow such persons to perform the essential functions of their jobs, to the extent required by law. Employees or applicants who would like to request a reasonable accommodation should contact Management. The company will also, where appropriate, provide reasonable accommodations for an employee’s sincerely-held religious beliefs or practices.

Applicants directly impacted by the criminal justice or immigration systems, including formerly incarcerated individuals, are strongly encouraged to apply.