Development Director

Development Director

 

Company: Student Press Law Center 

The Student Press Law Center promotes, supports and defends the
First Amendment and free press rights of student journalists and
their advisers. We’re looking for a dynamic and organized
fundraising professional to lead our development efforts, with an
emphasis on individual giving and major gifts. You’ll also support
and advise our executive director with institutional giving,
including foundations and corporations. 

You’ll be a member of the senior leadership team of our
50-year-old nonprofit that works to empower high school and college
students to tell the stories of their school communities and the
world around them. Increasingly, the students we serve are
reporting in “news deserts,” communities where traditional print
publications have closed, and these young journalists are filling a
vital First Amendment role. Help us find supporters for this
important work.

You should have at least 7 years of development experience and
be confident in your ability to steward existing donors and develop
major gifts. You don’t need journalism or law experience, though
you should have an appreciation for both. You’ll collaborate with
team members who know how to mine our Salesforce database and who
produce online and email campaigns to raise funds. You’ll benefit
from the experience of the development committee of the Board of
Directors to support your work.

Founded in 1974, the Student Press Law Center is an independent,
nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, D.C., that
works at the intersection of education, journalism and law. The
Student Press Law Center envisions a world where all student
journalists are respected, know their rights and are protected by
law to express themselves freely as full and essential members of a
healthy democratic society.

This executive-level role will lead our revenue diversification
strategy to support SPLC’s long-term sustainability.

Status: Full-time exempt (not eligible for
overtime), with 90-day introductory period. 

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: Remote within USA

Organizational and Department
Leadership 

Manage, coordinate, and provide
leadership on the implementation of a comprehensive, diversified
development strategy and work plan to build a steady pipeline of
individual donors, foundations, and corporations.
Guide and support the senior
leadership team and board of directors in their prospect
identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
activities.
Participate in the annual
organizational budget development process by estimating revenue
based on past and potential support.
Lead the fundraising team, including
supervising and coaching the development associate, making
recommendations for fundraising team expansion as required, and
supervising any additional fundraising hires.
Coach, mentor, and supervise
department staff with an emphasis on individual professional and
personal growth.

Fundraising 

Diversify SPLC’s revenue streams with
an emphasis on individual giving and major gifts, while identifying
other fundraising opportunities including institutional giving,
events, sponsorships and earned income.
Oversee the day-to-day fund
development activities of the organization and department
staff.
Oversee the maintenance of an
accurate donor database, including giving and outreach
history.
Monitor and analyze fundraising data
and make recommendations for new strategies and tactics in response
to changing circumstances and unexpected opportunities.
Work with the development associate
to conduct research and identify new funding prospects and ensure
the maintenance of an accurate calendar of grant processes, due
dates and reporting requirements.
Serve as the point of contact for
current and prospective institutional supporters as
appropriate.
Serve as the point of contact for
current and prospective major donors as appropriate.
Develop persuasive and compelling
donor-focused materials, including marketing documents,
acknowledgement letters, fundraising emails, and other
correspondence.
Develop and coordinate mid-level and
online donor strategy.

Qualifications

We recognize that not every candidate will possess every
qualification on this list. If you have some combination of what
we’re looking for — visionary leader, excellent fundraiser, dynamic
spokesperson, experienced manager, First Amendment advocate — we
want to hear from you.

7+ years senior-level fundraising
experience with increasingly responsible fundraising experience
within the non-profit sector, including developing and implementing
a multi-layered development strategy and building strong major
donor, foundation, and corporate relationships
Proven track record of securing major
gifts, including individual donors, foundation grants, and
corporate partnerships; experience with securing planned gifts
preferred
Enthusiasm for, and comfort with,
contacting and interacting with donors and prospects
Experience writing successful grant
proposals and reports
Strong organizational,
time-management, and problem-solving skills
Experience with motivating and
engaging board members a plus
Database management experience (we
currently use Salesforce, but experience in any donor database is
helpful)
Demonstrated commitment to a
team-oriented work style with the ability to train and coach staff
to increase their comfort level and success in
fundraising
Effective communication skills,
including verbal and non-verbal presentation and writing
skills
Knowledge of online fundraising best
practices and strategies a plus
Previous experience in a senior
leadership team
Personal qualities of integrity,
credibility and a commitment to and passion for SPLC’s mission

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this position is $95-110K,
contingent on experience. Benefits include health, vision and
dental insurance (100% coverage for employee / 50% coverage for
spouse/domestic partner/dependents).

403(b) plan (up to 3% employer
match)
Long-term and short-term disability
insurance
Paid family leave
Vacation: Three weeks paid
Sick days: Five days paid
Paid holidays: Seven standard
holidays, plus one floating holiday; Thanksgiving plus day before
and day after; office closed Dec. 24-31

SPLC seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in
respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and
provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and
applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital
status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity,
disability or status as a veteran. We encourage members of
traditionally underrepresented communities to apply.

How to Apply

Please submit the following in PDF format:

Cover letter that specifies how your
experience aligns with our needs and why you are uniquely qualified
for this position. Please also describe an initiative you have led
and a challenge you have overcome. Applications without a cover
letter will not be considered.
Updated résumé
Three references upon request

Submit all materials via this form. (https://www.tfaforms.com/5120691)

Review of applications will begin on May 1, 2024, and
continue on a rolling basis. Qualified candidates are encouraged to
apply early. 

We strive to achieve excellence through a diverse and
inclusive workplace that honors the unique talents and lived
experiences of each person. We actively seek people who bring
diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in our work. As an
EOE/AA employer, the Student Press Law Center will not discriminate
in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color,
religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, sexual
orientation, gender identification, genetic information, veteran or
disability status or any other factor prohibited by
law. 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background
check. 

Student Press Law
Center
1717 K Street
NW Suite 900 Washington, D.C.
20006
Web: https://splc.org/“>SPLC.org
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