Managing Director of Donor Engagement

Managing Director of Donor Engagement

About this position: Full-time, exempt, remote based in the United States

Managing Director of Donor Engagement will oversee, expand and inspire our diverse donor fundraising program; coordinate our donor organizing and individual giving efforts; and supervise our grassroots giving program. This position will be responsible for coordinating, inspiring and partnering with individual supporters and philanthropic advisors. This is done with an understanding that giving is one form of donor engagement, and encourages deep and powerful connections toward global social justice. 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 individual giving and donor organizing.
• Work in partnership with the Director of Global Philanthropy (DGP) to create a fundraising plan and budget.
• Align philanthropic programs with 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 moves management system, including major donor portfolios assigned to the Co-Executive Directors, Director of Global Philanthropy and Donor Engagement Manager.
• Keep abreast of trends in giving and philanthropy. Share and apply best practices to help inform the growth and success of Grassroots' fundraising programs.
• Represent Grassroots International in leadership roles in donor networks and alliances, in public speaking, and attending events and meetings as needed.

Development

• Maintain a donor portfolio of individual mid-range and major donors.
• Provide support to the Co-EDs and the DGP to manage their portfolio, including strategy, research, and preparation for donor visits.
• Organize educational opportunities, such as delegations or learning immersion programs, by providing logistical and strategic planning to deepen funder knowledge, commitment, and giving
• Oversee moves management, and volunteer management with respect to development opportunities.
• Integrate and engage in planned giving requests and training. Support other staff and Board in understanding, cultivating, and securing planned gifts.
• Maintain an efficient system for the collection of internal information, such as donor research, short-term, and long-term goals, donor visit results, and communications going back and forth between donors and GRI board and/or staff in both the database and in hard copy.
• Oversee and implement a fundraising plan which is tailored to individual major donors, mid- and high-end prospects.
• Coordinate moves management donor pipeline system.
• Integrate and engage in planned giving requests and training. Support other staff and Board in understanding, cultivating, and securing planned gifts. Maintain an understanding of best practices in the field. Integrate the planned giving program into a goal of every donor visit, when possible and appropriate.
• Maintain an efficient system for the collection of internal information, such as donor research, short-term, and long-term goals, donor visit results, and communications going back and forth between donors and GRI board and/or staff in both the database and in hard copy.
• Keep abreast of trends in giving and philanthropy. Share and apply best practices to help inform the growth and success of Grassroots' fundraising programs.
• Facilitate our participation and relationships with donor networks.
• Supervise our digital fundraising strategy together in assistance to the Donor Engagement Manager.
• Perform additional tasks as called upon by the Co-Executive Directors and the Global Philanthropy Director.

Required Qualifications

• Commitment to the mission of Grassroots International; demonstrated commitment to human rights and social movements or community organizing.
• At least three-five years of experience in the field of development, including significant leadership with individual fundraising and donor organizing.
• 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 of the field of philanthropy 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 managing budgets, financial information, and forecasts.
• Proficiency with G-Suite, Microsoft office, online conferencing services
• Authorization to work in the United States
• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time
• Fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID unless receiving an approved exemption

Preferred Qualifications

• At least three years of experience in supervising multiple staff and consultants.
• Language fluency or competence in at least one of Grassroots International’s program languages (Spanish, Portuguese, French, Kreyol, or Arabic).
• Facility with CRM databases, queries and reports. Familiarity with EveryAction a plus.
• Background and experience in grassroots community organizing, movement building, and/or deep movement accompaniment especially in international issues central to GRI mission, with understanding of how social movements work.

Grassroots International is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ and gender nonconforming individuals, and women are strongly encouraged to apply. We actively recruit, and support the retention and advancement of, persons of diverse backgrounds within the organization. We believe that having a board, staff, and membership with diverse identities and backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates a vibrant environment where individuals can learn, grow and thrive. To that end, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture where all employees are equally included, valued, and supported.