Director of Development

Position description

Karam means generosity in Arabic. Founded in 2007 in Chicago, Karam Foundation has impacted and improved the lives of 100,000+ Syrian refugees since 2011. As a Syrian-led organization with a team of more than half refugees, we provide tools and opportunities to Syrian refugee youth and families so that they can reach their potential. Our programming is implemented in Reyhanli and Istanbul, Turkiye, with additional support provided across Jordan, Lebanon, and the U.S.

Karam is a visionary organization that deeply invests in the futures of Syrian refugee youth, fueled by innovation and creativity, with a focus on education and leadership. Building co-authored solutions for refugees with refugees, our goal is to create a future where Syrian youth lead their lives with agency and dignity, wherever they are. 

The Director of Development will support securing the philanthropic capital for Karam’s innovative approach of community-led development at scale.

JOB OVERVIEW

Karam is seeking an experienced and driven Director of Development to lead Karam’s fundraising at a time of ambitious growth driven by the needs of the displaced communities that we serve. Most of our work is based in Reyhanli, Turkiye, on the Syrian border and in the area most impacted by the 2023 earthquakes. The refugee population within the region has been displaced multiple times over the past 12 years, making our work of creating secure futures in the midst of uncertainty both urgent and life-affirming. This senior role is pivotal in achieving Karam’s goal of significantly increasing our annual revenue. 

The Director of Development will work closely with the CEO, stewarding, cultivating, and growing the major gifts pipeline, and playing a key role in shaping and driving the organization’s growth. The Director of Development will manage a team of 3-4 remote staff leading fundraising across major gifts, foundations, and online small-scale donors. The Director of Development will partner with the Director of Communications in managing the Communications and Development Department. Karam has a staff of 11 in the US.

The Board of Directors is deeply engaged with fundraising, with 100% of the board contributing to Karam yearly. Additionally, the Director of Development should expect to travel 6-8 times yearly. Most of these will be short, domestic trips with 1-2 international trips to Turkiye per year.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership: Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive fundraising strategy aimed at achieving significant revenue growth.
• Communications: Work closely with the Director of Communications to align fundraising efforts with communication strategies ensuring a consistent story of impact and cases for support are developed.
• High Net Worth Donor Relations & Stewardship: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with existing donors while identifying and cultivating new donors.
• Management of the Fundraising Team: Mentor and line manage the development team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth. Oversee and contribute to the development of grant proposals and relationships with grantors. Support team members leading grassroots fundraising initiatives.
• Data-Driven Decision Making and Reporting: Utilize data and analytics to inform fundraising strategies and decision-making. Regularly assess and report on fundraising performance.
• Board Engagement: Support the CEO in working with the Board of Directors and Advisors.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in nonprofit development, with a proven track record of increasing revenue and achieving fundraising goals.
• Demonstrated experience in major gift solicitation, donor stewardship, and grant writing.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and successfully lead a remote team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement long-term fundraising plans.
• Passion for Karam’s mission and commitment to supporting Syrian refugee youth and families.
• Familiarity with the Middle East, refugee issues, and/or experience working in a global or multicultural context is a plus.

ABOUT YOU

You are a builder who is excited to leverage current opportunities and grow the development team and department to reach our goals. 

You are mission-driven and passionate about Karam’s work serving displaced Syrian communities. You don’t lose sight of our mission in the work. 

You are a strong communicator. Whether meeting new donors, speaking with grantmakers, presenting at a conference, or coaching the team, you strive to communicate with clarity, confidence, authenticity, and kindness. 

You are invested in long-term growth. You understand that meaningful and transformative organizational support stems from investing in long-term relationships with donors, grantors, and volunteers. 

ROLE DETAILS 

Location: Remote, US-based

Position: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Reports to: CEO

Manages: 3-4 full-time staff

Salary: $95,000 (plus bonus structure based on fundraising performance) 

Benefits: Health insurance (premiums 50% paid by Karam); 15 days vacation, plus 8 team-wide set Mental Health Days; 7 sick days; 401(k) with 2% matching (after 6 months employment with Karam); flexible work environment; and capacity building stipend.

Application instructions

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