Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement

Join The Doe Fund on our mission to break the cycles of homelessness, addiction, and recidivism. Our flagship Ready, Willing & Able program provides paid transitional work experience, transitional housing, advanced occupational training, and comprehensive supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness. The Doe Fund is also one of New York City’s largest nonprofit developers of permanent affordable and supportive housing, with more than 1,900 units in operation or pre-development. The Doe Fund has an annual operating budget of $73 million and a full-time staff of 400+, a significant portion of whom are graduates of our programs.

The Doe Fund is seeking an experienced development professional with a proven track record in major donor engagement and solicitation. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of External Affairs, the Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement will lead The Doe Fund’s major donor program and annual gala. The Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement will also supervise a Manager of Philanthropic Engagement and partner with our Communications team on a robust direct mail program.

Major Donor Engagement and Solicitation (FY’25 Target: $1.2 million)

• Design and implement creative strategies for broadening the organization’s base of support from individuals, nurturing existing relationships with The Doe Fund’s formidable donor base, as well as identifying new constituencies and expanding geographical outreach to create a national funding base
• Conduct face-to-face solicitations with prospects and donors, engaging other stakeholders, such as Board members, graduates, colleagues, senior leadership and others, as appropriate
• Support and partner with individual Board members to cultivate and solicit their networks, expanding Board-driven fundraising
• Develop, coordinate and execute cultivation strategies and events for major gift prospects and donors
• Recruit and work with volunteers to help major gift efforts
• Perform donor research

Direct Mail Campaigns (FY’24 Target: $2 million)

• Partner with The Doe Fund’s Communications team to implement up to approximately 12 - 15 direct mail campaigns per year, including collaborating on content development, list management, and mail house engagement
• Evaluate current direct mail approach and strategize opportunities to optimize impact
• Leverage data from previous years to establish baseline milestones and track progress of campaigns throughout the year; develop strategies to course correct throughout the year as necessary

Special Events (FY’24 Target: $1.65 million)

• Spearhead The Doe Fund’s annual gala, including:
  • Identify and solicit honorees and other event leadership
  • Engage the Board of Directors, their networks, and TDF’s broader donor community in supporting the gala
  • Lead all logistics, including venue management, catering, invitations, run of show, and others.
• Develop new and additional fundraising events of varying sizes geared toward distinct constituents

Young Professionals Committee (YPC)

• Manage The Doe Fund’s Young Professionals Committee, currently comprised of 20+ professionals representing finance, law, the arts, and other key sectors
• Identify and leverage opportunities to build upon the YPC’s current level of engagement, including partnering with YPC leadership to establish and measure against annual goals, identify opportunities for the YPC to engage in our work and with each other, and develop revenue-producing events
• Develop and maintain clear onboarding processes and a robust prospect pipeline

Other

• Supervise a Manager of Philanthropic Engagement
• Develop and implement a planned giving program
• Collaborate with the President/CEO to manage their individual major gift prospect portfolio
• Serve as a leader within a broader Development team which also engages institutional and government support

Qualifications

• College degree
• At least five to seven years in the Development field in positions of increasing responsibility
• Breadth and depth of Development experience to provide leadership for a comprehensive Development program including individual major gifts, direct mail, comprehensive campaign and special events;
• A personal track record of success in garnering individual major gifts;
• The necessary degree of personal and professional confidence and presence to guide the fundraising activities of the President, Board of Directors and other senior level stakeholders
• Computer literacy and competence with Development software and databases that serve the needs of a Development Department;
• A strategic thinker, who has the ability to see “the big picture” while not losing sight of the details in addition to having creative energy and an entrepreneurial spirit;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Superior organizational skills.

The Doe Fund is a fast paced, energetic, dynamic environment that employs people with strategic and innovative ideas. We offer a competitive salary with full benefits including: medical, dental, 401k, vacation, personal and sick time, etc.