Director of Development

We believe that a life free of violence and abuse is a basic human right. Our mission is:

• To ADVOCATE for domestic violence victims, at-risk children, and other vulnerable individuals through comprehensive pro bono legal services;
• To EMPOWER victims with knowledge, resources, and on-going support; and
• To BROADEN OUR IMPACT by engaging, training, and supporting a strong and diverse network of volunteer lawyers and community volunteers.

DC Volunteer Lawyers Project (DCVLP) was established in 2008 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We engage, train and support hundreds of dedicated volunteer attorneys each year to handle domestic violence, family law, and immigration cases on behalf of victims, and to serve as court-appointed advocates for vulnerable children living with abuse, neglect, and other dangerous circumstances. We operate free call-in and walk-in clinics throughout the District so victims and other DC residents can access free legal services on a wide variety of legal issues and access non-legal support services including social services referrals, crisis support, and safety planning.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development serves as a key leadership team member and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting DCVLP. In partnership with the ED, this position is responsible for the full scope fundraising and development activities. In addition to maintaining active current funders, the Director will forge new relationships to build DCVLP's visibility, impact, and financial resources. The Director of Development will also design and implement a comprehensive plan for developing key external alliances by cultivating individual and philanthropic support.

The Director of Development has primary responsibility for establishing and implementing the infrastructure needed to grow a $2M budget through the solicitation of major gifts, federal and state grants, special events, and corporate and foundation support. The Director of Development will also expand and diversify DCVLP's donor base/pipeline and work closely with other team members to secure funding for new initiatives. In addition, the Director of Development will work closely with the Board of Directors and support board members as they take on a more active fundraising role.

It is expected that the amount raised by DCVLP will increase in future years as the Director of Development systematically and effectively strengthens the organization's overall fundraising capacity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    Actively work with the ED and senior staff to develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy and fundraising plan to include corporate, foundation, government grants, etc.

2.    Secure financial support from individuals, foundations and corporations

3.    Manage the maximization of Raiser's Edge and oversee staff responsible for data entry and gift processing

4.    Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with major donors

5.    Create and execute a strategy for a large sustained base of annual individual donors

6.    Together with Development & Communications Manager, develop and execute high quality communications to donors, volunteers, clients, and partner organizations

7.    Oversee organization of special events, including an annual spring gala

8.    Develop and track proposals and reports for all foundation and corporate fundraising

9.    Support and partner with the ED and board members on all major fundraising initiatives

10. Provide reporting and support for the annual budget process

11. Responsible for development and execution of all proposals; write and archive all proposals with a long-term relationship-management approach

12. Oversee research funding sources and trends, with foresight, to help position DCVLP ahead of major funding changes or trends

13. Monitor all donor information; provide and present regular statistical analysis to board and senior leaders

14. Develop and implement a stewardship program aimed at cultivating deeper ties with donors

15. Monitor and report regularly on the progress of the development program

16. Identify, develop, and mentor the development team

17. Other duties and responsibilities as needed.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position. Salary commensurate with experience. DCVLP provides employees with 90% coverage of our major medical and dental policies and sponsors a 403(b) retirement plan. Vision coverage is also available. New employees accrue three weeks of vacation over 12 months and one week of sick time. Two personal days per year are also available as floating holidays. We offer a generous family leave policy for parents following the birth or adoption of a child. DCVLP has a positive work environment, with a focus on collaboration, empowerment, and service toward our clients and volunteers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High energy and passion for DCVLP’s mission and clients is essential
• 7+ years of professional experience in a nonprofit organization; demonstrated success in a development function (managing and forging relationships with multiple donor sources)
• Bachelor's degree required, Master's Degree a plus
• Tangible experience of having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships
• Proven ability to construct, articulate, and execute an annual strategic development plan
• Experience building and editing successful grant submissions
• Strong organizational skills
• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives
• Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside DCVLP
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Internal and external customer focus
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• A professional and resourceful style; the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time

We expect competence in MS Word and MS Excel, and general experience with database entry. Experience with Raiser’s Edge or other donor databases would be a plus.

Due to COVID-19, DCVLP is currently allowing interim telework arrangements through a future date yet to be determined (“Interim Teleworking Time Period”). Interim telework is a voluntary work alternative that may be appropriate for some employees and some jobs but not for others. It is not an entitlement, it is not an organization-wide benefit, and it in no way changes the terms and conditions of employment with DCVLP or company policies outside of the Interim Teleworking Time Period.

Physical Requirements of The Job

In addition to the functional skills in this job posting, the following physical abilities are representative of physical demands and environment essential to this position:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, and may need to occasionally stoop or kneel.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
• Ability to use a telephone to communicate clearly and receive information.
• Light to moderate lifting is required.
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.
• Regular, predictable attendance onsite is required.
• Ability to travel to local clinics and court venues as necessary.
• The work environment has moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, printers, and light traffic).

To Apply:

DCVLP has a non-discrimination policy and encourages all interested and qualified applicants to apply regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or other status protected by applicable law. Interested applicants should send a letter of intent (including salary requirements) and a resume to Sara Tennen at jobs@dcvlp.org.