Development Director

Featured III

Oct 7

Written By Yolanda F. Johnson

The Sentencing Project
Washington, DC

Anticipated Start Date: 2/1/25

Description

The Sentencing Project (TSP) seeks a dynamic fundraising professional to help lead the organization as its next Development Director (DD). The ideal candidate will be a confident and enthusiastic fundraiser experienced in raising funds from foundations, securing major gifts, and broadening individual giving, with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Working closely with the Executive Director and Senior Leadership Team, they will have a passion for TSP’s mission to advance racial justice and create a more equitable and effective legal system.

The DD is a member of TSP’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and manages the planning, coordination, and implementation of annual fundraising activities to raise ~$5.6 million in charitable contributions. The FY24 annual revenue breakdown is approximately 80% from foundations, 5% major gifts, and 15% from individual contributions. The DD will provide direction, mentorship, and coaching to the Development team, which includes a full-time Development Manager in charge of individual and planned giving, and a part-time Program Associate who provides grant writing and prospect research support, and manages gift entry, acknowledgement, and administration. The department is also supported by direct mail, digital fundraising, and grant writing consultants.

The DD will report to the Executive Director and collaborate with staff across the organization to identify new fundraising opportunities and leverage staff expertise in support of revenue generation. As TSP’s senior-level fundraiser, the ideal candidate will have experience with development strategy and frontline fundraising, as well as managing a portfolio of foundation funders, major donors, and prospects. A strategic thinker and natural collaborator, the DD will cultivate meaningful relationships with donors and write and communicate clearly and persuasively.

Responsibilities

Development Strategy

Create and implement an annual development plan with measurable financial goals, feasible timelines, and creative, actionable, and cross-departmental tactics.
Build detailed work plans with each team member to ensure stated goals are accomplished. In collaboration with the Executive Director, design strategic approaches to cultivate, solicit, and steward existing and prospective donors, focusing on foundations and major donors
Track, evaluate, and report on fundraising metrics on a regular basis to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
Work across the development team to set, track, and analyze fundraising activity and develop clear and concise reporting dashboards.
Work with the SLT and program staff to identify new funding opportunities.
Meet with program teams regularly to identify donor engagement opportunities and to stay informed of evolving program priorities and accomplishments.

Fundraising

Manage a $4.6 M portfolio of foundation funders and prospects; cultivate strong relationships with current and prospective funders in the fields of criminal legal reform, racial justice, sentencing reform, voting rights, and youth justice.
Provide leadership and direction to the grant writing consultant to ensure the timely submission of proposals, reports, and other requested deliverables. Engage with a portfolio of 50–60 major and mid-level donors.
Develop tailored moves management plans for donor identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with the intention to significantly increase major giving over time.
Provide leadership and direction to the Development Manager to ensure that individual giving campaigns incorporate fundraising best practices and remain on track to meet targeted projections and annual goals.
Continue to build and enhance the organization’s burgeoning major gifts program.
Craft personalized proposals and tailored cases for support to advance major gift cultivation and solicitation.
Travel with the Executive Director to meet with TSP supporters and funders, deepen relationships, and lay the groundwork for successful solicitations.
Review direct mail and digital fundraising assets to ensure accuracy and that all messaging and imagery is consistent with the organization’s brand and values.

Management and Leadership

Supervise and mentor a team of high-performing development professionals while steering departmental culture-building efforts. Set clear departmental priorities and annual goals.
Oversee the annual department budget, ensuring accurate reporting and processing of vendor invoices for timely payment.
Work with the Director of Finance and Operations to develop program budgets for grants, assist with the annual audit, and develop accurate financial forecasts.
Ensure coordination of fundraising activities with the finance staff to produce and reconcile accurate revenue reports and monitor cash flow to inform timely decision making.
Collaborate with the Communications team to integrate fundraising and communications strategies to ensure clear and consistent messaging to external constituencies.

Requirements

At least eight years of experience in fundraising or a related field, with at least two years of management experience. Experience identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors for major gifts of $10,000 or more.
Experience developing, writing, and securing six- and seven-figure grants from a range of foundation funders. Excellent written, verbal, and electronic communication skills.
Able to craft compelling cases for different audiences and coach team members to support fundraising activities.
A deep understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, especially as it relates to fundraising.
Prior professional experience in the field of criminal legal reform is a plus. Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively, fostering teamwork within the development team and a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
A high level of emotional intelligence, integrity, cultural sensitivity, and interpersonal skills; able to effectively engage and influence key stakeholders and decision-makers.
Fluent with financials, including creating and managing budgets, reviewing financial reports, and incorporating financial information, figures, and statistics into cases for support.
Strong project management skills, including developing and evaluating processes, standard operating procedures, and detailed timelines to execute various projects simultaneously.
High degree of self-motivation, personal discipline, discretion, and integrity.
Ability to adopt and cultivate a growth mindset; take calculated risks, identify opportunities for improvement, admit mistakes and demonstrate comfort with ambiguity and imperfection.

Qualifications

At least eight years of experience in fundraising or a related field, with at least two years of management experience. Experience identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors for major gifts of $10,000 or more.
Experience developing, writing, and securing six- and seven-figure grants from a range of foundation funders.
Excellent written, verbal, and electronic communication skills. Able to craft compelling cases for different audiences and coach team members to support fundraising activities.
A deep understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, especially as it relates to fundraising. Prior professional experience in the field of criminal legal reform is a plus.
Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively, fostering teamwork within the development team and a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
A high level of emotional intelligence, integrity, cultural sensitivity, and interpersonal skills; able to effectively engage and influence key stakeholders and decision-makers.
Fluent with financials, including creating and managing budgets, reviewing financial reports, and incorporating financial information, figures, and statistics into cases for support.
Strong project management skills, including developing and evaluating processes, standard operating procedures, and detailed timelines to execute various projects simultaneously. High degree of self-motivation, personal discipline, discretion, and integrity.
Ability to adopt and cultivate a growth mindset; take calculated risks, identify opportunities for improvement, admit mistakes and demonstrate comfort with ambiguity and imperfection.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

Salary range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000.

The Sentencing Project’s generous benefits package includes four weeks paid vacation; accrued sick leave; parental leave; 100% employer paid health, dental, life and disability insurance for employees (dependents covered at 70%); a flexible spending account; both a discretionary and a matching contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan; annual professional development stipend, and transportation benefits.

How to Apply for this Job

To apply, send a resume, cover letter and two writing samples (one longer and one under a page) to employment@sentencingproject.org by November 7, 2024.

This role requires approximately 5% travel to meet donors, attend events, and build connections with funders across the U.S. This is a hybrid position, with 2 days in the office.

The Sentencing Project is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to cultural diversity and ensures that Applicants have equal opportunity for recruitment and selection without regard to their race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, prior convictions, or status as a protected veteran.

About the Organization

The Sentencing Project advocates for effective and humane responses to crime that minimize imprisonment and criminalization of youth and adults by promoting racial, ethnic, economic, and gender justice. The Sentencing Project engages in research and advocacy on sentencing and related issues, advocates for criminal justice policy and practice reform, and conducts broad-scale public education through media, online and other communications.

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