ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

State Voices is a national network – built from the states up – that helps grassroots organizations win civic engagement victories and build long-term political power. Since 2008, we’ve been employing the principles of collective impact, building the capacity of partners with data analysis and shared resources, and strengthening our democracy by amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.

State Voices sustains a dynamic ecosystem of 23 state tables comprised of over 800 partner organizations. We provide the organizations in our network with the data, tools, and support they need to help create a healthy and thriving democracy through a racial equity lens. We advance this work through three national programs: Civic Engagement (voter registration and turnout, issue advocacy and constituency engagement), Civic Access (voting rights and election administration) and Civic Representation (census and redistricting).

It’s our collective duty to end the systemic, relentless disenfranchisement targeting communities of color, young adults, LGBTQ people, and single women. That’s why State Voices works year-round to create a more accessible, inclusive, and representative democracy.

POSITION OVERVIEW

State Voices seeks a highly motivated and detail-oriented Director of Development. They are responsible for overseeing the management and growth of fundraising activities and an expanded development department at State Voices. In 2021, the State Voices budget is expected to be $19 million, approximately $17 million of which is from a portfolio of primarily institutional funders, major individual and family donors, and a small and growing pool of annual fund donors. After a busy civic engagement cycle in 2020 and record fundraising successes, State Voices seeks a skilled and strategic fundraising professional with a deep commitment to social justice to help expand the organization and sustain a new level of budget.

The Director of Development will: help oversee and be a strategic partner in building the organization’s fundraising capacity; solicit major contributions both directly and in concert with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Development Officer (CDO), program directors, state table directors, and Board members; strategic and operational direction, drive execution, and ensure that fundraising targets are met; and provide strategic support and feedback on external affairs as they relate to fundraising and overall profile building. They will help ensure the strength and smooth operations of the Development department and support Development staff.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

The responsibilities of the Director of Development will include:

• Collaborate with the CEO, CDO, senior staff, and the Board of Directors to help envision and execute a strategic fundraising plan that includes foundations, major gifts, and an annual fund.
• Close coordination and partnership with Chief Development Officer in cultivating and stewarding a community of new and existing supporters to unlock their full philanthropic potential.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of over 30 current institutional supporters giving five- and six-figure annual gifts.
• Weekly check-ins with CDO to review progress of activities and discuss plans or course corrections as needed.
• Lead the day-to-day management of all fundraising activities, including prospect research, cultivation, and stewardship estimated at 10-20% when travel is able to safely resume.
• Supervise Senior Development Associate in grant writing, administration, and tracking of calendar of grant opportunities and deadlines.
• Help onboard growing development team to be hired. Provide learning and growth opportunities to development staff.
• Track and prepare monthly analysis of income and progress, including qualitative and quantitative results.
• Collaborate with the Finance team to ensure adherence and timely tracking and reporting on income and expense projections.
• Seek out and participate in external events and networking opportunities.
• Utilize EveryAction CRM to plan, implement, and evaluate fund development.
• Participation in State Voices national staff activities, including staff and network retreats, convenings, check-in calls, and other all-staff activities as requested.
• Other related duties as they arise or are assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess many or all of the following qualifications:

• At least 7-8 years’ experience in progressive fundraising roles for nonprofit organizations, with a confirmed track record of major grants and/or gifts fundraising.
• Able to translate executive-level organizational objectives into specific departmental outputs and outcomes.
• Provides leadership support on strategic, long-term planning across complex organization.
• Understands and embraces the ‘big picture’ of change; comfortable adapting to change.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and managing under a variety of circumstances. Appropriately patient and persistent.
• Ability to present and communicate well, both verbally and in writing, outside the organization and within SV.
• Excellent writing and editing skills and a readiness and ease with grant writing practices.
• Experience and ease with donor CRM databases, nonprofit 501c3 compliance, donor privacy policies, and maintaining development related files.
• Understanding of the complexities of a national organization working with affiliates in various states.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies. Committed to racial equity, and using a personal approach that values individuals and their differences.
• Relationship oriented. Builds relationships marked by respect, trust, and integrity; treating everyone as would like to be treated, and unthreatened by others’ strengths.
• Able to build collaboratively and secure buy-in through persuasion, logic, and a problem-solving perspective.
• A genuine appreciation for and commitment to the mission of State Voices along with knowledge of, and relationships with, the national Civic Engagement philanthropic community.
• Strong operational and organizational skills with a hands-on work style and an eagerness to roll up his/her sleeves.
• Ability and willingness to contribute as a team player within the organization and to delegate responsibility and empower subordinates as appropriate.
• Creativity, resourcefulness, appropriate aggressiveness and possessing an entrepreneurial and intellectual curiosity.

TO APPLY:

• Send your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to: jobs@statevoices.org.
• To ensure your submission is properly routed, use the subject line “Director of Development”
• Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to resumes received by Friday, January 15, 2021.
• This ad will remain online until the position is filled.

Term of Employment: This is a full-time, exempt position.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $110,000-$130,000, commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

Location: Washington, D.C.; Remote candidates in or near other major US cities may be considered.

Reports To: Chief Development Officer

State Voices is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.