Assistant Director of Institutional Giving

ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

The Innocence Project was founded in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University to assist the wrongly convicted who could be proven innocent through DNA testing. The Innocence Project’s groundbreaking use of DNA technology to free innocent people has provided irrefutable proof that wrongful convictions are not isolated or rare events but instead arise from systemic defects. Now an independent nonprofit organization closely affiliated with Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, the Innocence Project’s mission is to free the staggering numbers of innocent people who remain incarcerated and to bring substantive reform to the system responsible for their unjust imprisonment.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Assistant Director of Institutional Giving is an integral member of the Development team and is responsible for the acquisition and stewardship of foundation donors. They work with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) to secure new support from grantmaking institutions and when needed is involved in stewardship of major individual donors. This individual reports to the CDO and works closely with all other members of the Development Department as well as regularly liaises with staff members from other departments in order to gather information for donor reports.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

ACQUISITION AND STEWARDSHIP OF INSTITUTIONAL DONORS

• Develops new funding proposals and continuously updates existing proposals and reports to institutional funders. Ensures that all such documentation communicates the IP’s compelling mission, most recent accomplishments, and future plans.
• Leads meetings between Innocence Project leadership with foundation program officers. Develop briefing memos for participating staff and board members.
• Management program for institutional donors.
• Guides the research and advancement of new opportunities for institutional support.
• Manage the deadlines for proposals, reports and stewardship related to institutional giving in collaboration with others on the Development team.

DEVELOP AND MANAGE MATERIALS FOR DEVELOPMENT USE

• Provide writing and editing support to the development department at-large.
• Oversee quality of writing for the department and oversee freelance writers.
• Participate in staff meetings, working groups, and other activities that increase knowledge of subjects/projects for donor reporting.
• Ensures that all written materials communicate the IP’s compelling mission, most recent accomplishments, and future plans.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years or more of related professional experience, including at least 3 years in nonprofit development or communications.
• Superior knowledge of Microsoft Office products, especially Word and Excel; familiarity with database programs such as Sage and Salesforce.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Ability to write quickly and well
• Experience with project and budget management; proofreading and editing.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Outstanding skills as a researcher.
• Ability to understand complex program content
• Strong verbal communications skills
• Flexible and collaborative workstyle; ability to function effectively in a demanding environment.
• Demonstrated initiative and entrepreneurial orientation along with an ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Strong commitment to social justice and the Innocence Project’s goals of exonerating people who can be proven innocent by DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent wrongful convictions.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary for this position is highly competitive and the Innocence Project offers an excellent benefits package, including health, dental and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, 401k plan with company-match. While the office is currently remote in consideration of the ongoing pandemic, once commuting into the office (located in downtown Manhattan, New York) becomes again viable we will also offer company-paid transportation benefits.

*Annual Salary Range starts at $80,750

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.