Director / Assistant Director of Resource Development

Summary

Solidarity Center seeks an experienced Director / Assistant Director of Resource Development to play a critical role in building the future of the organization. The individual who is selected for this role will lead the Solidarity Center’s efforts in private fundraising, with primary responsibility for meeting its private fundraising goals. These efforts will help secure the funding that is essential for grassroots labor movements to build power around the world.

This position will shape an organization-wide private fundraising program to raise unrestricted and restricted funds from individual donors, private foundations, and other relevant philanthropic entities to advance the Solidarity Center's mission. In partnership with the Executive Director and designated program directors, the Resource Development Director / Assistant Director will develop and execute campaign and fundraising strategies for the Solidarity Center. A main goal of this position is to build an organization-wide approach to private fundraising and diversify revenue streams.

The Director / Assistant Director of Resource Development will ensure that Solidarity Center’s private fundraising efforts are aligned with the organization’s mission and strategy; therefore a social justice orientation and a strong belief in the power of labor movements to transform societies is critical for success.

The Director / Assistant Director of Resource Development will collaborate with program teams to develop strategies that generate new funding from private sources to support Solidarity Center's work. This position will provide strategic coaching and guidance to program staff on foundation proposals, budgets, reports and other interactions with private donors to ensure that programs are effectively articulated and aligned with Solidarity Center’s strategy and goals for diversified funding. In addition, the Director / Assistant Director of Resource Development will be tasked with expanding staff knowledge and capacity around fundraising. An important aspect of this responsibility will be developing and/or introducing information, tools, and resources relevant to raising funds from private sources.

The Director / Assistant Director of Resource Development, in conjunction with the Executive Director, represents Solidarity Center with private donors in the U.S. and abroad and serves as the organization’s spokesperson and point of contact on matters of fundraising. This includes speaking at donor conferences and meeting with foundation staff and high net-worth individuals.

This position will report directly to the Executive Director, working across departments to achieve Solidarity Center’s private fundraising goals. While the position has no direct reports at this time, as revenue streams are further developed, additional staff will be considered. The decision of whether to hire at a Director of Assistant Director level will be based on the applicant's qualifications and level of experience.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success creating and meeting fundraising goals and budgets
• Experience developing, executing, and leading fundraising campaigns
• Demonstrated history and successful track record of personally identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual donors and foundations
• Ability to operate independently, with excellent decision-making skills, sound judgement, a strong sense of initiative, and high self-motivation
• Ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines in the absence of direct supervision
• Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities
• Experience building partnerships with major donors, including coordinating executive outreach, ensuring appropriate follow-up, and managing cultivation calendars and scheduling
• Experience designing and delivering training that is engaging and inspiring
• Experience conducting research on foundations and individual donors; fundraising database experience preferred
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and/or advancing high quality fundraising proposals
• A strong commitment to the Solidarity Center’s mission; previous experience in trade unions is highly desirable
• Exceptional writing and public speaking skills, with the ability to craft successful development outreach materials and to communicate a compelling vision of our work
• Ability to lead and build support among partners and peers
• Advanced expertise in nonprofit fundraising and development, including demonstrated knowledge of national philanthropic communities, with ten years of directly relevant professional experience
• Extensive knowledge of international relations and of socio-economic and political developments in the U.S. and abroad
• Familiarity with non-US government fundraising opportunities
• Proficiency in Microsoft products. Experience with donor management software and philanthropic research tools
• Strong attention to detail
• Fluency in a foreign language (desirable but not required)

Specific Duties:

• Immediate priority to develop a comprehensive strategy to meet initial fundraising goal, as well as 3-5 year projections with outlined strategies to achieve
• Set strategy for new revenue streams, including private philanthropy, individual donors and other relevant philanthropic entities
• Set fundraising priorities with the Executive Team
• Provide senior-level strategy and thought partnership
• Drive the overall fundraising program
• Serve as external relationships manager for all development relationships
• Lead coordination of fundraising activities and systems cross-functionally between development and other SC teams
• Provide overall project management
• Provide coaching support for staff around all aspects of fundraising
• Develop and implement donor communications/engagement opportunities
• Develop fundraising messaging and materials, in coordination with Communications staff and program plans
• Identify prospects, oversee vetting process, and build prospect pipeline
• Manage stewardship of donors and prospects
• Work with staff to draft concept notes, proposals and reports; review and provide final approval for submission
• Focus on immediate fundraising needs
• Develop systems to support new revenue streams
• Expand the development team as resources are available and supervise its staff
• Manage the volunteer staff Resource Development Committee
• Support the Executive Director with all aspects of their fundraising activities and responsibilities
• Develop and prepare materials for Board of Trustee meetings and monitor fundraising progress against goals
• Provide regular reports to the Executive Team
• Advise the Director of Finance on donor compliance strategies and methods, including the review of bylaws and other founding documents
• Ensure that all development policies and procedures are consistent with established organizational policies and that they satisfy compliance requirements and related audit standards
• Work cross-departmentally with relevant staff to prepare budgets and financial reports
• Facilitate a “team approach” to fundraising and foster a culture of philanthropy within the organization
• Advise regional and thematic departments on identifying organizational and project-specific funding opportunities and ensure that fundraising aligns with relevant Solidarity Center standards and best practices
• Develop and maintain a donor tracking and engagement system in compliance with IRS regulation.
• Ensure that established systems are followed for donor acknowledgement, recordkeeping, and recognition
• Oversee strategy for donor database and tracking of donors in other organization data management systems
• Perform other related duties as assigned

A robust benefits package includes fully paid health insurance, a retirement plan and pension, life insurance, and ample paid time off for holidays, vacation, and medical leave. Pre-tax deduction programs are also available for commuting, dependent care, and health care expenses. In addition, we offer opportunities and funds for professional development.

Fluency in a foreign language is desirable but not required