DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Rolling Deadline (until filled)
DAWN seeks a highly qualified Full-Time or Part-Time Development Director to lead our fundraising and development efforts. The Development Director will identify and cultivate potential funders, including institutions, foundations, and individuals; draft grant proposals, create and track benchmarks and KPIs, and draft reports to donors; organize special events and work closely with the DAWN executive team and Board on developing and implementing a strategic fundraising strategy. This pivotal role will spearhead every facet of the donor lifecycle—from identification and qualification to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
The Development Director will have a demonstrated commitment to the mission of promoting democracy and human rights in the Middle East and beyond. The position reports to DAWN's Executive Director and works closely with her to develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan to increase resources and diversify funding sources.
Responsibilities:
- Develop the strategic plan for long and short-term development initiatives to significantly increase the size and quality of the prospect pool and meet our fundraising goals annually.
- Ensure DAWN's strategic development plan includes coordination of activities with all relevant verticals at DAWN, including communications, advocacy, research, operations, and all relevant Board Members.
- Drive DAWN's overall development goals, including setting performance metrics and reporting on KPIs.
- Research and identify foundations and funding sources; make approaches; network and cultivate contacts.
- Prepare grant proposals to potential funders and write reports for grants received.
- Use writing, speaking, and editing skills to create powerful and persuasive cases for support and collaborate with DAWN staff and Communications Director to develop content.
- Organize special fundraising events for potential and existing donors.
- Plan and oversee the annual gala, including event planning and, if appropriate, sponsorship appeals and ticket sales in coordination with DAWN's event committee.
- Draft annual fundraising reports and plans.
- Engage with board Members around short-term and long-term fundraising goals.
- Develop and implement a successful digital fundraising strategy, partnering with the Communications Director.
- Manage the upkeep and enhancement of development systems, including DAWN's CRM and online giving platforms, to ensure they efficiently and effectively support our fundraising objectives.
- Oversee the continual updating of our systems and streamline workflows for prospect and pipeline management, data entry, gift processing, and acknowledgments.
- Guarantee that our supporters receive accurate, timely, and personalized acknowledgments for their contributions.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree required.
Experience: A bachelor's degree and five years of fundraising experience with non-profit organizations are required, as well as a successful track record of grant writing, grant management, and individual donor cultivation.
Required Skills and Knowledge:
- Demonstrated commitment to DAWN'S mission of promoting democracy and human rights and keen awareness of and empathy for the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
- Experience organizing special fundraising events and initiatives.
- Familiarity with fundraising and communications software; experience working in a CRM, payments system, and email marketing platform desired.
- Bonus points for familiarity with Zeffy, Mailchimp, and/or HubSpot.
- Strong organizational skills and discipline in safeguarding donor information and database records.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to articulate the organization's philosophy and mission.
- Ability to handle multiple projects and work independently.
- Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with DAWN employees as well as with others; and,
- Ability to think creatively, initiate projects, and follow through on plans.
- Comfortable working in a remote team environment.
How to Apply: Please email jobs@dawnmena.org with a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references.
Please use "DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Application" as the subject of your email.
Only completed applications will be reviewed, and only qualified candidates will be contacted.
Equal Opportunity Employer
DAWN is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and actively seeks a diverse applicant pool to build the most robust possible workforce.
Job Type: Full-time and Part-Time Options
Pay: Competitive
