Philanthropy Officer – West

Position description

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. KIND has accepted over 23,000 referrals of children seeking legal representation in their immigration proceedings. KIND has welcomed more than 41,000 attendees to trainings since its founding, cultivating partnerships with over 670 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and bar associations across the country.

KIND’s social services program ensures that migrant and refugee children – who have often endured trauma – receive counseling, educational support, medical care, and other comprehensive services.

To address the root causes of child migration from Central America, and strengthen the protection of unaccompanied children, KIND advocates for policy changes and educates lawmakers, the media, and the broader public on the conditions that drive these children to flee their home countries. KIND supports children returning to their home countries by connecting them to essential support services and sponsors gender-based violence prevention programs in Central America to protect children in countries of origin and transit.

KIND is also building upon its expertise in the protection of unaccompanied children to encourage the development of pro bono initiatives across Europe in partnership with European NGOs.

Position Summary:

KIND seeks a Philanthropy Officer-West to join a growing team of development professionals working directly with high-capacity donors and prospects to accomplish their giving objectives in the form of annual giving, and major and planned gifts. The Philanthropy Officer-West will build and maintain a West Coast based portfolio and be responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgment, and stewardship of major donors and family foundations with a history of or capacity for gifts of $10,000+ annually to KIND.

With forecasted revenue growth and increased recognition on the national stage, this position requires an individual who enjoys and is particularly skilled in interfacing with a high volume of donors, with the ambition to maximize untapped opportunities, as well as attract new supporters aligned to the organization’s work and mission. The qualified individual will have a track record of managing a portfolio of donor relationships; will be a self-starter; and will be prepared to work in a fast-paced, high-energy virtual environment. They will be organized, analytical, collaborative, detail oriented; possess excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as high numerical literacy; and demonstrate passion for fundraising.

Key measures of success for the position include increasing contributed income, growing an overall portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, and engaging personally with donors and prospects.

This role is a remote position based on the West Coast, where KIND is registered, with a particular focus on the Los Angeles and San Francisco. Significant travel will be required throughout the West Coast.

Essential Functions:

• Manages a portfolio of 100-150 individuals and family foundations (in total giving approximately 1.5M annually) with the capacity to make major gifts, in accordance with established team goals on meetings, solicitations, donor retention, and Salesforce management.
• Develops strategies to upgrade current donors, identify and qualify new prospects, and personally cultivate and solicit high-level gifts.
• Serves as development liaison to West Coast advisory committees and/or field offices, offering fundraising oversight and developing regional strategies based on local donor base, opportunities, and obstacles.
• Approaches work with creativity and persistence, including but not limited to pursuing specific donor networks and interest groups to reach a diverse range of prospective donors.
• Provides comprehensive, timely and innovative stewardship for existing donors. Elevates the importance of stewarding all gifts and programs in ways that strengthen donor interest in, satisfaction with, and commitment to KIND.
• Collaborates with and supports KIND’s senior leadership team, program staff, board members, and advisory committee members with respect to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
• Effectively navigates institutional resources to be an effective KIND representative with donors. Stays informed of institutional priorities, regional work and achievements, and current updates on key immigration issues.
• Partners with the Events Director to ensure small-scale cultivation events, both virtual and in-person, engage donors and prospects with KIND.
• Adeptly manages Salesforce and other processes such as tracking donor gift projections and list management for portfolio.
• Travels up to 30% of the time throughout the West Coast to cultivate donors with in-person meetings and engagements.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Minimum of 4 years of development experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience managing a major gifts portfolio, closing at least $500,000 a year in gifts above $10,000.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing a donor and prospect portfolio, knowledge of fundraising and moves management best practices, a track record of securing six figure or higher donations from a variety of individual funders, and facility working with board members and/or volunteers.
• Leverage relationships to accomplish tasks in a mutually beneficial, non-transactional manner.
• Willingness to travel throughout assigned region and ability to attend functions/activities outside of normal work hours, with advanced notice.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites (such as Teams, Excel, etc.); experience with Salesforce and DonorSearch preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment. Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate as appropriate.
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
• Committed to prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.
• Be disciplined and nimble to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights.
• Showing the ability to multi-task and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
• Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
• Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.

Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000 a year

Application instructions

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