Development Specialist

Description: Witness to Innocence (WTI) is composed of and led by exonerated death row survivors and their family members. The mission of WTI is to abolish the death penalty by empowering exonerated death row survivors and their loved ones to become effective leaders in the abolition movement.

WTI actively challenges political leaders and the public to grapple with the reality of a fatally flawed criminal justice system that sends innocent people to death row. WTI also seeks ways to support death row survivors and their loved ones as they confront the challenges of life after exoneration.

Currently two thirds of WTI’s staff are death row exonerees.

Position Overview: The Development Specialist will be responsible for developing and sustaining financial support for WTI from individuals, small businesses, congregations, corporations, and organizations. They will work with a team including the Communications Specialist, Director of Strategic Engagement and Executive Director to develop and conduct robust fundraising efforts to improve WTI’s financial stability and inspire long-term donor participation. While the Director of Strategic Engagement is responsible for most grant development from foundations and government sources, some help with grant development may be required.

Responsibilities: The Development Specialist will be responsible for:

1. Researching, identifying, and cultivating effective relationships with prospective individual, corporate, and congregational/organizational donors on a continual basis.
2. Creating and implementing a donor stewardship strategy, including maintaining gift recognition for individual, corporate and organizational donors
3. Directing and facilitating the annual fund and other appeal programs, including mailings and annual fundraising drives.
4. Developing and sustaining a major gifts program including research, identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major donors.
5. Organizing and coordinating fundraising special events. Oversee fundraising database and tracking systems.
6. Building the planned giving program with a focus on deferred gifts such as bequest expectancies.
7. Collaborating with the WTI Executive Director, Director of Strategic Engagement, and Communications Coordinator to coordinate and integrate WTI’s fundraising strategy.
8. Occasional other work as need arises, such as supporting exoneree events.

Education, Experience, and Qualifications:

• Must embrace the mission of Witness to Innocence.
• Ability to work as a team with a diverse group of colleagues with various backgrounds and experiences.
• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches and/or willingness to learn.
• Exhibit strong interpersonal and writing skills.
• Have knowledge and experience in fundraising techniques, particularly individual, corporate and major gift fundraising.
• Possess the skills to implement and work in Salsa CRM, Action Network or similar program
• Possess the skills to work with and motivate staff, board members, and other volunteers.
• Have the desire to get out of the office and build external relationships.
• Be a “self-starter,” driven to initiate donor visits and fundraising calls.
• Be organized and exhibit “follow-through” on tasks and goals.
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience raising individual and corporate gifts for non-profit organizations.

This can be a hybrid or remote position. Hours and salary range pursuant to experience. Hours can be flexible and may include some evening and weekend time.