Development Director

Position Overview

Bnai Keshet is an innovative and warm, 50 year-old Reconstructionist synagogue in Montclair, New Jersey, committed to community, social action and kindness. We seek an inaugural Director of Development to help imagine and create a comprehensive, 5-year development strategy for our growing community of 300 households. Then, with support from staff and lay leadership, the Director will implement the strategy, including fundraising, grant writing and events.

This is a part-time, hands-on role with a flexible schedule, growth opportunities, and the possibility of combined remote and in-person work.

Key Responsibilities

• Create a 5-year Development Strategy with attainable one-, three- and five-year goals;
• Prioritize and sequence implementation of development program components, which will eventually include the areas outlined below;
• Advise on and support the growth of a robust individual giving program, refreshing and improving existing approaches;
• Select and implement (with staff support) a fundraising operating system, such as Raisers’ Edge or other platform for individual giving;
• Convene (with support) a Development Committee, meeting approximately monthly, to foster partnership with and guide lay leaders and volunteers;
• Advise a 50th Anniversary Committee (in formation) to prepare for 2028 activities in celebration of the community’s founding;
• Advise and support lay leaders and staff in designing and implementing annual fundraising events and smaller cultivation gatherings, as outlined in the strategy you will help create;
• Recommend and/or pursue - with support from staff and lay leaders - select philanthropic grants aligned with the synagogue’s programs and aspirations;
• Design and oversee donor stewardship, including thank-you letters and emails, recognition, impact updates, and ongoing engagement communications;
• Work with the Rabbi/s, Co-Presidents, and Board to support their fundraising roles and practices, particularly around a Major Gifts program. Solicit and/or advise on solicitation of Major Gifts ;
• Oversee and, as needed, draft fundraising-related communications (case statement, appeal letters, campaign emails, short cases for support, acknowledgement templates);
• Advise office staff on building and maintaining strong operations related to fundraising and development;
• Prepare short, periodic updates on progress to share with Development Committee, Board of Trustees and others.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development;
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills, including excellent writing skills;
• Solid organizational and project-management skills; able to manage multiple workstreams in an organized way;
• Track record of building individual giving and development programs for mission-driven organizations;
• Experience with at least one donor database or CRM system. Basic proficiency in Google Workspace. Experience with ShulCloud or other synagogue-specific platforms a plus; and
• Understanding of synagogue life, Jewish communal culture, and the role of philanthropy in a small congregation is strongly preferred.

Personal Qualities

• Warm and approachable. Enjoys getting to know staff, volunteers and families, and building long-term relationships;
• Flexible. Willing to “roll up sleeves” in a lean environment and participate in both strategic thinking and tactical implementation;
• Self-directed. Able to work independently and drive progress, as well as collaborating with teams and building “buy-in;”
• Discreet, ethical and professional. Able to be trusted with sensitive financial and personal information. Exercises excellent judgment, integrity and appropriateness.

Reporting, Hours, and Compensation

• Reports to the Co-Presidents;
• Collaborates with VP of Development, Development Committee, Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, Office staff;
• Hours are 10-12 hours/week, on a mutually-agreed schedule that includes some committee, board and planning meetings, and may include occasional evenings, to be mutually agreed. Attendance at key events; and
• Compensation: $25-35k, commensurate with experience.