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FROM COMMON CAUSE:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Philanthropic Advisor develops and implements donor-centric strategies to raise donor sights, articulate aspirational goals and ideas, present philanthropic opportunities and close transformational gifts. This position will be responsible for managing a portfolio of individual donors, family foundations and donor advised funds with the capacity to give mid-level annual gifts; and solicit and steward individual prospects for legacy giving. The Philanthropic Advisor monitors and reports on progress, ensuring that revenue and engagement goals are met.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic and Administration
Establish annual revenue goals and report on program’s performance in conjunction with the Deputy Director of Development.
Design and implement customized plans for individual mid-level donors, with the goal of increasing engagement and annual support.
Mentor and provide support for state staff.
Individual Donors, Family Foundations & Donor Advised Funds
Design and execute annual plans to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors that will meet or exceed donor engagement and revenue goals.
Manage portfolio of prospects and current donors with the capacity to contribute mid-level gifts in support of the priorities of Common Cause.
Travel to qualify, cultivate and solicit philanthropists at in-person meetings.
Identify, cultivate and solicit legacy giving donors and prospects, coordinating as needed with state leadership, the president, and other staff.
Manage portfolio records and provide monthly analysis of donor performance related to such things as retention, growth, upgrades, etc.
Assist with special projects and perform other related duties that contribute to the Development department and Common Cause goals as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Commitment to the Common Cause mission and a passion for democracy issues
Proven experience and a successful track record in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, closing and stewarding philanthropic gifts. Progressive sales leadership may be considered in lieu of nonprofit fundraising experience.
Ability to plan and execute donor-centric, multi-state fundraising initiatives and work with high-level volunteers and organization leaders
Strong working knowledge of the philanthropic landscape in the northeast region, prospect research methodology, best practices and evolving trends in philanthropy
Able to work independently and as part of a team
Flexibility to travel frequently, work evenings and weekends
Success in deadline-driven environment with shifting demands and priorities

TO APPLY:

Please submit resume, cover letter with salary requirements and a donor writing sample to Director of Human Resources at hr@commoncause.org and include PHILANTHROPIC ADVISOR in the subject line; or fax to 202.355.7546. No phone calls please. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

ABOUT COMMON CAUSE:
Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to restoring core values of American Democracy, reinventing an open, honest, and accountable government that works for the public interest, and empowering ordinary people to make their voices heard. Founded 48 years ago, Common Cause has over 1 million members and supporters, and chapters in 35 states around the country. At the national and state level, Common Cause is actively engaged in defending and advancing the core values of our democracy, which include politics not dominated by money, full access to voting and fair elections, economic opportunity for all, an ethical and accountable government, and an open and democratic media. More information can be found at: www.commoncause.org.

Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, party or political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any illegal or prohibited factor.

FROM DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE:


FOUNDATION RELATIONS ASSOCIATE

Location: Headquarters, Washington, DC
Department: Development
Supervisor: Director, Foundation and Corporate Relations
BASIC SUMMARY:

The Foundation Relations Associate plays a key role in Defenders’ foundation fundraising program. The Associate is responsible for writing and editing grant proposals, reports, and other written communications to funders while spearheading general Foundation operations including: internal reporting and submission tracking, database management, cultivation mailings, restricted revenue tracking and basic prospect research. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Proposal and Grant Reports

• Work with Defenders’ program and senior staff and Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations to develop compelling proposals, concept papers, letters of inquiry, and reports describing a variety of conservation initiatives for private and corporate foundations and government agencies.
• Draft and edit grant proposals, letters of inquiry, concept papers and reports in collaboration with program staff.
• Work with program and Finance staff to prepare financial information, including grant budgets, invoices and financial reports, for foundation donors and prospects.
• Participate in select program planning sessions.

Grants Management

• Monitor and communicate proposal and reporting deadlines to Finance and Program departments.
• Work with Vice President of Development, Finance and Program departments to communicate and monitor grant allocations and expenditures.
• Work with the Philanthropy Manager to review allocation and acknowledgement of restricted foundation grants. 
• Monitor and report on restricted and unrestricted revenue.
• Fundraising Strategies and Prospect Research
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies for a portfolio of foundation donors and prospects, with lead responsibility for general species and habitat-specific proposals. 
• Identify prospects for specific programs and conduct high-level research and analysis of foundation funding trends as part of fundraising strategy development.

Operations/Administrative:

• Enter foundation interactions in database for portfolio contacts.
• Pull reports from database for Foundations team. Help develop database protocols and procedures for Foundations team.
• Prepare briefing materials for foundation visits for portfolio contacts.
• Work with Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations and other staff on annual budget and periodic revenue reporting.
• Manage Foundation workplan and other tracking documents and distribute on a timely basis.
• Track and report on restricted and unrestricted revenue for weekly, monthly and quarterly updates.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience

• Minimum of three years in foundation fundraising, preferably in a conservation, environmental, advocacy or related field.
• Experience with donor management and engagement.
• Experience with government grants and/or cause-related marketing is a plus.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Other

• Proven track record in raising funds from foundations, preferably for a conservation or environmental organization.
• Demonstrable skill in writing excellent proposals and other grant-oriented materials.
• Strong knowledge of foundations and recent trends in environmental grant making.
• Research, computer literacy and fundraising database skills.
• Ability to work under the pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail oriented with sharp eye for proofreading and data management.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and communicate with others while doing so.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:

General office working conditions, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
VALUES AND DIVERSITY:

Defenders of Wildlife is a national, non-profit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. Our employees work in an environment that is inclusive and honors each of our unique perspectives and backgrounds. We believe that the conservation of biological diversity is best advanced by the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, beliefs and cultures. We strive toward a collective goal of including all people in the conservation of our Nation’s wildlife and wild places.


Visit Our Values and Diversity page to learn more about who we are and how we operate.
SALARY RANGE:


Up To $60,000

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants please reference Foundation Relations Associate position in your subject line and submit a letter of interest along with your resume to us via e-mail at: HR@defenders.org.