JOB TITLE: Vice President Development
REPORTS TO: Robert Perkowitz, President
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 8, 2025548053
LOCATION: Washington, DC (preferred)
COMPENSATION: $145,000 - $175,000/yr DOE
TO APPLY VISIT: https://ecoamerica.bamboohr.com/careers/32
ORGANIZATION & PROGRAM BACKGROUND
ecoAmerica is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that works to move America toward climate solutions by building a critical mass of institutional leadership, public support, political will, and collective action. We develop and manage programs for the health, faith and local community sectors, empowering networks of trusted leaders and institutions to lead by example, engage stakeholders in climate action, and activate support for just, equitable, and ambitious climate solutions. More information on our organization, programs, and JEDI commitment is available at www.ecoamerica.org.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Vice President Development (VPD) is responsible for ecoAmerica’s individual and foundation fundraising activities. The VPD contributes to ecoAmerica’s success by proactively soliciting, enrolling and stewarding foundations and donors to build ecoAmerica’s visibility, impact, and financial resources. The VPD also manages the Board of Directors and the ecoAmerica Leadership Council (eALC) and serves as a key leader in the senior management team working to build a diverse, just, and effective organization.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Individuals
- Manages individual fundraising program including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of current and prospective donors.
- Collaborates with the President and Executive Director to secure major, multi-year commitments from individuals.
- Develops prospect solicitation pitches, materials and tailored individual proposals.
- Drives and manages fundraising events, the end-of-year appeal and any special appeals.
Foundations
- Manages foundation fundraising program including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective and current grant makers with a long-term relationship-management approach.
- Holds primary responsibility for development and execution of all proposals and reports.
- Ensures program compliance for grants and reports.
- Maintains a grant cycle calendar for top priority foundations.
Board of Directors & Leadership Council
- Serves as lead staff liaison for the Board of Directors and eALC, establishing and implementing plans to build a strong, diverse board to guide and support ecoAmerica, and a growing cadre of eALC members who give at least $10K per year for general support.
- Manages board and eALC meetings and related events, including agenda and material development and distribution; advises on logistics, location, and scheduling.
- Manages Plus 1, ecoAmerica’s primary board engagement initiative to help Directors fundraise and activate their networks.
- Manages all board and eALC governance including terms, nominations, and committee assignments.
Development Management
- Supports and partners with the President, Executive Director, and board on all major fundraising initiatives.
- Leads devising of and manage the full execution of the development strategy and OKRs. Evaluates and report on progress throughout the year.
- Identifies, develops, manages, and mentors Development Manager and occasional interns.
- Maintains moves management system in collaboration with the Development Manager to ensure foundation and donor cultivation and proactive stewardship for current grantors / donors. Manages strategies for general support, directed funds, and joint funding opportunities with ecoAmerica partners.
- Oversees, updates, and utilizes development systems including Salesforce and data entry and processing in collaboration with the Development Manager.
General Management
- Serves as a senior manager and key leadership team member and participates in the strategy, planning and thought leadership of ecoAmerica.
- Advances ecoAmerica’s mission and values by taking initiative, identifying and seizing new opportunities, generating new ideas and tactics particularly as they relate to fundraising.
- Lead by example and work collaboratively to build values, responsibility and accountability.
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE SKILL REQUIRED
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred plus 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising.
- Expertise in foundations, major gifts, and individual giving. Track record of directly securing 7-figure gifts a plus.
- Highly intelligent and driven with a passion for fundraising and marketing, management, and a sophisticated knowledge of the philanthropic community.
- Exceptionally polished, professional, and articulate with a high level of comfort interfacing with the Board of Directors, organizational executives, and high net worth individuals.
- Superior project management skills. Organized, detail-oriented, a proactive self-starter and problem-solver. Able to plan, execute and manage multiple priorities to ensure accuracy and high-caliber, efficient implementation in a deadline-driven environment. Ability to work simultaneously with multiple staff in different time zones.
- Proficiency with Salesforce, Google Workspace, MS Office Suite.
- Commitment to climate and environmental solutions and ecoAmerica’s mission.
- Ability to travel 5% - 20% of time within the United States.
ADA
This position is largely sedentary in nature however one must possess the ability to speak, hear, and write as well as the ability to use a computer and related software programs, and lift up to 20 lbs. Local and/or national travel periodically required.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
ecoAmerica provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, ecoAmerica complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
ecoAmerica expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of ecoAmerica’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.