Director of Donor Engagement

Background on Tearfund USA

Who we are: We are a Christian organization partnering around the world with the local church wherever possible to see change in the lives of those in greatest economic need. We tackle poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters, and challenging injustice. We believe an end to extreme poverty is possible.

Tearfund USA was founded in 2018 and is one of the newest members of the global Tearfund family that comprises 11 agencies with over 250 partner organizations and 30,000+ churches active in programs across more than 50 countries.

• Our vision: To see people freed from poverty, living transformed lives and reaching their God-given potential
• Our mission: We follow Jesus where the need is greatest, responding to crisis and partnering with local churches to bring restoration to those living in poverty
• Our values: We aspire to be courageous, truthful, compassionate, servant-hearted and Christ-centered.

Relevant scriptures include: 2 Cor. 5:8-11, James 3:18, Romans 8:18-25, Philippians 4:7, John 10:10, Luke 4:16-21 and Micah 6:8

Tearfund USA’s Application Process

Please submit an up-to-date resume and cover letter at info@tearfundusa.org.

If after reading through this Job Profile, you have any questions, you may submit question to the same email address: info@tearfundusa.org. Please ensure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the requirements for this post.

Main purpose of the job

Specifically, in your role as Director/Manager of Donor Engagement you will be responsible for leading Tearfund USAs fundraising activities - raising funds to help further Tearfund’s Christ centred work around the world. You will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to engage and cultivate a portfolio of new and existing major donor funding partners (Key Individuals, Trust and Foundations and Key Churches). Who are capable of giving at levels of $15K to $1M+. You will through building excellent relationships meet ambitious annual revenue targets, and also ensure proper ongoing stewardship of these funds. You will work independently but in coordination with the Tearfund Global Fundraising team in the United Kingdom. Specifically the Global Growth and Development Lead.

Tearfund USA’s Christian culture

We believe that prayer and discernment is fundamental to Tearfund USA achieving its mission of restoring relationships, ending extreme poverty and transforming lives. As a Tearfund USA staff member you are expected to:

• Lead or participate in Tearfund USA’s spiritual sessions of prayer and biblical reflection
• Be committed to Tearfund USA’s Mission, Values and Beliefs statement and to be actively working and living in accordance with Tearfund USA’s Christian beliefs and theology of mission
• Maintain your own spiritual development, discover your gifts/callings and grow in discipleship

• Organizational requirements
• All staff are expected to live out Tearfund USA’s values as they represent Tearfund USA externally
• All post-holders are expected to fulfil their personal objectives set by their line manager, contribute to their team’s overall objectives, take responsibility for reviewing their ongoing personal development and maintain an awareness of Tearfund USA's strategy and Tearfund’s wider global strategy.
• All Tearfund staff share responsibility to promote and maintain a culture where children and vulnerable adults not just are safe but flourish, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities.

Position Duties and Key Responsibilities

Relationship Building

• Develop individual goals for each contact in your partner portfolio, based on their history of giving and the organization’s knowledge of that partner’s potential.
• Under the guidance of executive leadership, devise and execute an engagement plan for each contact to retain and upgrade support. Ability to implement and adapt the plan as necessary throughout the year.
• Work with colleagues to secure appropriate project information, including budgets, and create offers, proposals and asks that will be used to engage financially using proposals, reports, and updates.
• Deliver monthly reports which accurately reflect caseload activity and performance as well as research to identify new and appropriate foundation partners.
• Ensure a comprehensive knowledge of all of Tearfund’s activities, policies and corporate information in order to represent Tearfund USA accurately.
• Ensure that thorough partner information and correspondence is maintained in CRM.
• Lead and help organize Tearfund USA events and overseas trips where appropriate; participate in relevant networking events; travel as necessary to maintain relationships.
• Perform other activities as necessary.

Fundraising

• Research potential and existing major donors to Tearfund USA - to gather relevant information on interests, giving patterns and funding cycles.
• Work with wider leadership within Tearfund USA to identify suitable projects, secure appropriate project information, including budgets, and create offers, proposals and asks that will be used to engage supporters.
• Work with the executive leadership, Board members and other Tearfund representatives in approaches they make to current or potential donors.
• Write applications for a variety of types of major donors (Key Individuals, Trust and Foundations and Key Churches) and provide timely, appropriate reports for grants secured.
• Develop a thorough knowledge of Tearfund and all that we do globally.
• Perform other donor research and proposal development activities as necessary
• Establish protocols for managing records and notes to ensure that information is kept secure and confidential, and that all legal and regulatory requirements are met.
• Work with the wider Tearfund International Fundraising & Partnerships Team, the international programs team, and the executive leadership of Tearfund USA to identify suitable projects, secure appropriate project information, including budgets, and create offers, proposals and asks that will be used to engage supporters.

Leadership, Organization and management

• Develop and refine Tearfund USA’s strategy for fundraising and partner care, in conjunction with executive leadership. Help develop the fundraising strategy for growing our fundraising capacity in the next three years. Help to establish an integrative approach for highly-relational fundraising and instil a culture in Tearfund USA to see fundraising as an integral part of our ministry.
• Assist executive leadership to devise income targets for Tearfund programs, including the general and project restricted income split.
• Keep an active understanding of the fundraising market, philanthropy trends, and trust/foundation fundraising environment for input into planning.
• Raise the visibility and promote the reputation of Tearfund in the broad sector of relief and development. Represent Tearfund USA in collaborative efforts with allied organizations, engaging in joint fundraising, shared campaigns, and conversations that promote innovation and that help to reorient the funding community to the values and funding strategies that distinguish Tearfund and its allies.
• Through leadership in our sector, help to establish Tearfund as a thought leader in relief and development practice, theology and spiritual engagement, corporate culture, and advocacy.

Required knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities

• Proven track record (three years or more) and progressive responsibility in fundraising, meeting or exceeding annual goals in another relevant sector.
• Cross-cultural experience.
• Grant writing and reporting experience.
• Experience managing, interpreting, and using prospect research.
• Event and project management experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience with office software, virtual conferencing and meetings, and donor database systems (i.e. - Nationbuilder)
• Winsome communication skills: Able to establish rapport quickly and draw upon biblical concepts to persuade. Readily provide evidence of Tearfund's value proposition. Able to convey Tearfund's credibility, history, and impact with accuracy and enthusiasm.
• Ability to travel frequently and work flexible, irregular hours including weekends; valid driver’s license and passport. Expect overseas travel one to three weeks a year.

Personal Requirements

• Committed, mature Christian with an active relationship with Jesus.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Someone who likes a challenge and is comfortable in a pioneering role and working under their own initiative.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant audiences, experience working with the audience.
• Up to date knowledge of evangelical Christian culture, philanthropy, and trends in the broader church.
• Active and meaningful participation (leadership experience preferred) in a local Christian church.
• Demonstrated lifestyle of Christ-like humility, compassion and generosity with time, talents and treasure. Infectious enthusiasm and winsome nature. Passionate commitment to Tearfund’s value and beliefs, and to living in accordance with them.