Senior Director of Philanthropic Partnerships

Thousand Currents seeks an exceptional individual to join our philanthropic partnerships team as the Senior Director of Philanthropic Partnerships. The Senior Director of Philanthropic Partnerships develops and implements comprehensive strategies to secure funding from institutional and individual donors. 

The successful candidate brings a successful track record of delivering significant income growth from individual and institutional funding, experience in team management, coaching, and mentoring, alongside the ability to work efficiently, collaboratively, and flexibly as part of a diverse team in a global organization. Importantly, they will have a deep commitment to Thousand Currents’ mission and values, as well as knowledge of climate justice, food sovereignty and/or economic justice.

Essential Functions

The Senior Director of Philanthropic Partnerships will serve as a strategist, fundraiser, and team leader. This position reports to the Vice President of Philanthropic Partnerships and Influence and regularly works with and advises organizational and program leadership, including the organization’s Chief Executive Officer. They are responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects and existing donors. The individual who will take up this role will have at least two direct reports and guide the phased growth of the philanthropic partnerships team.

Strategy (20%)

● In collaboration with the Vice President of Philanthropic Partnerships define the organization's fundraising strategy with particular focus on achieving our 10 year strategic goal to move $250 Million to movements in the Global South.

● Provide strategic and creative leadership in raising approximately $25M in annual contributed revenue through foundations and  individuals. Support the development of our planned giving program over time. 

● Create a strong and compelling case for support each year, aligned with organizational goals and strategy and inform our ongoing outreach to steward long-term relationships and cultivate prospective funders. 

● Oversee the growth of the individual giving program, which identifies and cultivates new donors and stewards deeper relationships with current donors.

● Supervise the development and implementation of Thousand Currents’ strategy to identify, research, cultivate and steward institutional giving partnerships to grow a diverse and stable institutional donor base.

Fundraising (60%)

● Define annual fundraising goals, workplan, and  clear deadlines with the Philanthropic Partnerships team.

● In collaboration with the Vice President of Philanthropic Partnerships and Influence as well as the Chief Executive Officer, partner on major gift strategies and solicitations, including setting objectives around annual giving.  

● Guide and advise organizational and program staff to identify, research, cultivate and steward relationships with both current and prospective foundation funders.

● Supervise and edit reports and materials produced by staff, and as needed, write a targeted selection of proposals, reports, and other institutional informational products.   

● Support the annual giving cycle, with targeted and creating year-round solicitations. 

● Collaborate with the Vice President of Philanthropic Partnerships and Influence and the Director of Communications in telling the Thousand Currents story and creating strong collateral and related materials for fundraising activities  

● Work with the Vice President of Finance to manage the department budget and communicate progress on revenue goals.  

● Represent Thousand Currents in conferences and meetings to raise profile and thought leadership of the organizations in field-wide conversations.

● Oversee building up of systems and ongoing management of clear and complete Salesforce records.  

Team Management (15%)

● Promote a positive  organizational culture of quality performance and continuous learning, experimentation and improvement 

● Thoughtfully navigate power differentials, inviting feedback and practicing self-awareness 

● Clearly communicate expectations and delegation of roles, decision-making processes

● Provide guidance and coaching to direct reports, along with timely, useful feedback that supports progress toward their performance goals.  

● Effectively support flow of information from the team to the organization and the organization to the team

● Support consistent application of organizational policies, identifying gaps or challenges requiring further attention

● Model and facilitate practices of care and support for realistic workloads

● Model Thousand Currents’ values

Organization-Wide Activities & Administrative Efficiency (5%)

● Build collaborative relationships with staff across the organization in ways that facilitate progress toward organizational priorities

● Show up fully for organizational activities, including staff meetings, retreats and trainings;

● Work collaboratively with the Executive Team members to integrate cross program activities and functions and ensure alignment and consistency in staff management and experience;

● Pitch in when needed for organization-wide activities, such as the Thousand Currents Academy, annual events, fundraising drives, partner visits etc.;

● Manage regular personal administration, including timely submission of receipts, reimbursement requests, scheduling, travel planning, filing HR paperwork etc.

Qualifications

At least ten years' experience in fundraising with a proven track record of securing major gifts from institutions and  individuals and advancing gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.

Knowledge of individual and institutional fundraising principles and best practices, and a successful track record of personally identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-net-worth individuals. 

Excellent communication, written and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to create clear and persuasive communications in both traditional and digital formats and a sophisticated ability to effectively and compellingly communicate Thousand Currents’ case for support to difference audiences.

Highly skilled in building and managing competent teams fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability through clear definition of roles defined expectations and supporting team members to realize their full potential.

High degree of emotional intelligence.

Goal and results-driven with the ability to meet deadlines . 

Experience demonstrating discretion and holding sensitive and personal information about donors in confidence

Experience with Salesforce database a plus 

Thousand Currents practices a non-negotiable salary policy to foster pay equity. The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary for this role is $163,500 with a generous benefits package, including:

●     100% premium paid health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for you and your family (if applicable).

●     Short and long term disability, life, and AD&D insurance.

●     The organization also provides wellness reimbursement, work from home reimbursement, and an opportunity to participate in our 401K plan with 3% matching contribution.

●     Additionally, Thousand Currents offers 13 paid flexible holidays, 9 sick days, and vacation at an accrual rate of 15 days per year for the first two years, along with

●     Internal systems that engender a culture of mutual accountability to personal ecology, transparency, open communication, and opportunities for professional, personal, and leadership development.

●     The successful candidate must have the capacity and willingness to undertake travel.