Director of Development

Position Description

Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, defending, and empowering public-interest journalism, is hiring a full-time director of development.

As FPF experiences significant growth — fueled by a major gift in 2023 and the implementation of innovative fundraising strategies such as accepting cryptocurrency starting in 2018 and hosting a successful NFT auction in 2021 — the need for a director of development becomes crucial. This role will help spearhead fundraising efforts, cultivate donor relationships, and leverage emerging technologies to sustain and expand FPF's impact.

Reporting to the vice president of development and operations, the director of development will play a critical role in leading our major gifts program, sustaining existing relationships, and cultivating new partnerships to support our mission and programs. The ideal candidate will have the capacity to attract gift donations at the five-figure range and above. You will collaborate with the vice president of development and executive director across fundraising efforts and serve as a thoughtful and supportive partner for cultivating and soliciting new and existing donors to increase their philanthropic investment in the organization’s work.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to identify, solicit, and steward major donors, and effectively articulate compelling cases for support to secure significant financial commitments.
• Create personalized cultivation and solicitation plans for a portfolio of major gift prospects of $10,000-plus, and establish and maintain strong relationships with donors to understand their philanthropic interests and motivations.
• Collaborate with the vice president of development and operations, executive director, and other key stakeholders to engage donors and maximize philanthropic support.
• Provide strategic leadership for major gifts fundraising efforts, setting ambitious goals and benchmarks for success.
• Research funding opportunities and collaborate with program staff to ensure alignment between funding priorities and project objectives.
• Assist in the planning and execution of intimate donor events and stewardship initiatives to engage major donors and foster long-term relationships.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions, gift commitments, and fundraising progress using the donor management database.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; CFRE preferred. 
• Minimum of five years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of personally soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals and institutional donors.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate the organization's mission and impact in a compelling manner.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and project management abilities, with the capacity to develop and execute effective fundraising plans.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, as well as independently, in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment.
• Proficiency in donor management software, Salesforce preferred.

*You are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all Freedom of the Press Foundation data and information to which you have access.

Working with us

This role does not require U.S. citizenship, but you must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. to be considered. FPF does not sponsor employees for work authorization at this time, and the selected candidate will be required to submit proof of authorization.

FPF is strongly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community. We warmly welcome members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, and people with disabilities.

FPF does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual or reproductive health decisions, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status, and other personal characteristics protected by law.

More about FPF

In addition to a competitive nonprofit salary in the range of $120,000-$140,000 per year, FPF provides health, dental, and vision insurance (via Aetna) at no cost to employees; 20 days of personal time off, in addition to all federal holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year’s; paid parental leave; and a generous 401(k) program. FPF matches your 401(k) contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to 4% of your gross salary.