Development Strategist – Programs & Operations

About GKI and the JLT Bequest

GKI is a US-based nonprofit organization that activates collaborative networks to deliver innovations necessary for resilient systems. We believe the knowledge to foster resilience already exists, but ingenious individuals must be better connected to do more together. See more at https://globalknowledgeinitiative.org/.

Since 2009, GKI has evolved from a global development service provider to a program developer and grantmaker. A 2024 bequest from the estate of Ju-Yen and Linnar Teng enabled GKI to launch programming centered on improving China/US relations. Efforts include support for professional exchanges, knowledge amplification, and cross-border collaboration initiatives. GKI aims to launch an open innovation call for organizations with track records fostering cross-border and cross-cultural networks and exchanges. We are also developing a blended learning course focused on systems innovation methodologies for community practitioners, while translating the source material into Chinese.

Assignment Overview

GKI is seeking a consultant, team, or firm (“consultant”) to develop a realistic but ambitious development/fundraising strategy to secure $2 million between now and 2027 to support GKI’s work, particularly in institutional support. This will include a landscape analysis of institutions, family offices, etc, in the US and globally inclined to fund/sponsor nonprofits working on US-China relations and overlapping fields. After completing the strategy and planning, GKI may offer a contract extension for the consultant/firm to lead and/or advise on its execution.

The consultant will work closely with GKI’s Chief Executive Officer and may regularly engage with the Chief Operating Officer, various program leads, and GKI’s communications team. The consultant’s activities will fall mostly under GKI’s fundraising cost center. The consultant may occasionally be requested to advise on other GKI initiatives according to their area of expertise, with appropriate billing arrangements to be determined as needed.

Milestones & Deliverables

Anticipated milestones include the following, to be refined with the selected consultant:

1. Orientation to GKI and its capacities; JLT programming; past and ongoing development strategies; and available systems and tools.
2. A landscape analysis describing foundations, donor-advised funds, grantmaking nonprofits, family investment offices, HNWIs, etc., with interests or funding priorities aligned with GKI’s current strategy (see above).
3. Propose a prospect list drawn from the landscape analysis for GKI’s fundraising and development efforts, including strategic justifications for the proposed targets, estimates of the level of effort and likely returns on investment, and the necessary high-level engagement strategy.
4. Develop fundraising and business development KPIs and an implementation plan in close partnership with GKI’s CEO and in consultation with the COO and program and communications personnel.
5. Advise the CEO on the existing fundraising efforts, and account for this in developing the broader strategy.

During the potential contract extension, the consultant would execute against the plan they developed, e.g., manage the pipeline of opportunities, including adding and adjusting prospects based on ongoing information gathering; developing relevant materials in collaboration with the GKI team; deepening relationships initiated by CEO; and, ultimately, securing funds and support for GKI and its programs.

Desired Qualifications

• Proven success in nonprofit development, fundraising, and partnerships. Orientation towards community-centric fundraising and similar ethics strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge and experience with funders interested in advancing US-China relations, cross-border professional exchanges and networks, and related topics.
• Highly effective in remote workplaces, including Slack, Google Drive, and digital CRMs (especially Copper CRM).
• Comfort collaborating with personnel without prior nonprofit fundraising experience, including providing context as appropriate on relevant regulations and good practices.
• Exceptional communication & writing in English. Chinese language skills are a plus.
• Knowledge of stakeholder-driven social innovation processes, systems thinking/practice, collaborative facilitation, and/or human-centered design preferred.
• Comfort and familiarity with using ChatGPT/similar tools in fundraising tasks is a plus.