Managing Director of Philanthropic Partnership

Managing Director of Philanthropic Partnership

Full-time, exempt, based in the United States

About this position:

The Managing Director of Philanthropic Partnership is responsible for the overall plan and implementation of relationship building with and resource mobilization from current institutional funders (including family foundations) and growing partnerships with additional prospective funders. This work is done in collaboration with the rest of the Development Team and closely with the Philanthropic Partnerships Manager and the Director of Global Philanthropy. The position reports to the Director of Global Philanthropy and meets regularly with the co-Executive Director.

About Grassroots International:

Grassroots International connects people in the US with global movements that defend land, territory, water, food, seeds, and the earth. Together we address the root causes of injustice and oppression, and build alternatives that nurture human rights, ecological justice, and liberation. We do this through grantmaking, social action, and philanthropic leadership. As a public foundation, Grassroots International raises its budget annually. Our organizational culture is collaborative, relational, and deeply mission-driven.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Supervise, monitor, and support development team members, particularly focused on institutional giving and funder organizing.
• Represent Grassroots International in leadership roles in funder networks and alliances, through organizing briefings, workshops, public speaking, and attending events and meetings as needed.
• Work in partnership with the Director of Global Philanthropy to create a fundraising plan and budget.
• Align philanthropic programs with the Strategic Plan and multiyear goals
• Work closely with the DGP and development team to coordinate fundraising opportunities and monitor the department’s progress toward annual budget benchmarks.
• Oversee and coordinate initiatives to engage philanthropic advisors and impact investors, including coordinating with the Director of Global Philanthropy to maximize organizational impact.
• Keep abreast of trends in giving and philanthropy. Share and apply best practices to help inform the growth and success of Grassroots' fundraising programs.

Development

• Develop and maintain relationships with funders and family foundations with significant wealth; Secure unrestricted multi-year commitments.
• Provide support to the co-EDs and the Director of Global Philanthropy to manage their funder portfolio, including strategy, research, and preparation for networking opportunities.
• Facilitate funder engagement in alignment with our political analysis.
• Develop, write, review, and/or edit proposals and reports together with in assistance to the philanthropic partnerships manager.
• Coordinate and maintain an efficient system for the collection of internal information, such as funder research, short-term, and long-term goals, networking and conferences, and other pertinent funder information.
• Create and oversee strategies to re-engage lapsed funders.
• Develop and raise targeted funds, such as our crisis-response fund, for specific geographically-based and issue-focused initiatives.
• Assure compliance with GRI’s gift acceptance policy.
• Keep abreast of trends in giving and philanthropy. Share and apply best practices to help inform the growth and success of Grassroots' fundraising programs.
• Perform additional tasks as called upon by the Global Philanthropy Director.

Required Qualifications and Competencies:

• Commitment to the mission of Grassroots International; demonstrated commitment to human rights, social movements, and funder organizing.
• At least three years of experience in the development field, with success in individual and institutional fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to build and work collaboratively with a team in a mission-driven and culturally diverse organization, ideally including some experience in a supervisory capacity.
• Experience (paid or unpaid) working in and/or supporting social justice movements or community organizing, not necessarily in a development role.
• High level of self-organization with close attention to detail.
• Demonstrated understanding and ability to communicate about complex or controversial political issues, with accountability and deference to those most impacted by those issues.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience in budgeting; proficiency with the Google Suite and databases.
• Ability to travel, mainly within the United States.
• Ability to sit in front of the computer for extended periods of time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful supervision experience, including with diverse teams.
• Experience in managing large or complex budgets, financial information, and forecasts.
• Well-suited for a work environment that values flexibility, cooperation, a good sense of humor, kindness, and resourcefulness. It’s a bonus to bring positive energy, empathy, and curiosity in life.
• Language fluency or competence in at least one of Grassroots International’s program languages (Spanish, Portuguese, French, Kreyol, or Arabic).

Excellent benefits, including health, dental, disability, paid sick time and vacation, and retirement