Philanthropic Advisor

About MVP

MVP is a best-in-class advising platform connecting progressive donors to the most effective and promising grassroots organizations in the country working at the intersection of movements, community organizing, and elections. We aim to increase investment in frontline organizations led by the most impacted communities to increase turnout among the progressive base, build long-term political power, and ultimately to transform our country at the local, state, and national levels. In the 2020 cycle, MVP successfully moved over $120 million to over 600 local groups across the country, focused in the most critical states.

Our Approach:

We are organizers, and the heart of our work is organizing donors through MVP to support local groups in order to build, sustain, and amplify their impact. We work in service of local groups, and we try to be aware at all times of the power dynamics of being a funder and to be careful about incentivizing actions that could alter an organization’s own priorities; we work hard not to impose on our partners. We are also striving to continuously scrutinize and dismantle the ways we manifest and reproduce white supremacy culture both internally and externally.

We focus on building from our assets, and taking a positive approach to growth and change that helps groups and donors to feel comfortable being vulnerable about their areas of improvement. We believe in a non-competitive, non-divisive, whole ecosystem approach; we are always seeking opportunities to support and encourage collaboration among groups and donors.

Position Overview

As a Philanthropic Advisor at MVP, you will prospect, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of donors and funders in your assigned region who give or have the capacity to give $10,000 or more annually. You will report to the Regional Philanthropic Director (West) and work closely with the other donor team members who share the west coast geography.

The ideal candidate will be a motivated, professional, and organized individual with a proven ability to build relationships and secure major gifts. They should be comfortable working independently as well as part of a team, and be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Salary Range: $130-140k (based on experience), plus generous benefits package.

Essential Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Donor Relations :

• Effective overall management of your portfolio leading to achieving annual fundraising targets:
  • Develop and manage a portfolio of 100-150 major gift donors and prospects
  • Create individual engagement and stewardship plans for each donor based on giving history and potential.
  • Conduct face-to-face meetings with donors for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
  • Ensure that donor and prospect interactions and data are properly and promptly recorded in the database, and that all donor information is maintained with respect to confidentiality.
  • Identifying new ways to engage donors and prospects; which may include events and working with MVP volunteers.
  • Collaborate with organizational leadership, and other departments and staff on fundraising strategies and building donor relationships.
  • Prepare proposals, reports, donor briefings, and other materials in support of major gift solicitations.
• Working with the Program Manager on the programs team, developing funding dockets consisting of MVP grantee partners for our most generous supporters as needed.
• Increase MVP's visibility and influence in the Western Region through strategic outreach and networking including conferences, trainings, and donor convenings with a goal of growing the base of supporters and donors.
• Participate in a cross-functional team environment supporting overall team success.

Donor organizing/engagement:

• Working with the donor organizing team, mobilize donors to engage their networks to support grassroots movements and political campaigns aligned with MVP's mission.
• Organize and participate in donor events, conferences, and other relevant gatherings.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Location: Position to be based in the San Francisco Bay Area or Los Angeles area (required).
• Position will operate from an at-home office or office of choice by the employee.
• Employee must be able to work at a computer (including sitting or standing) for extended periods of time with repetitive motion and positions.

Travel required

• 10-25% Travel for donor meetings, staff meetings.
• Occasional, optional travel for internal team gatherings (2-5 times per year).

Required Qualifications

• Proven track record (minimum of five years) in major gifts with donors giving five figures or more annually.
• Comfort independently navigating databases.
• Able to work autonomously with little to no administrative support.
• Demonstrated ability to handle and manage confidential information.
• Knowledge of and passion for social justice, progressive movements, and/or Democratic politics.
• Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape in California.

Preferred Qualifications

• Past work in the progressive, social movement space.

Direct Reports

• None

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Please include your cover letter in your submission. In your letter, address your relevant experience and why you are a great fit for this role.

Movement Voter Project isn’t just an equal opportunity employer. We are actively seeking to build a diverse and inclusive team with a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills to support the incredible diversity of grassroots organizing across the country. MVP does not discriminate based upon race/ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a veteran, formerly incarcerated or convicted persons, status as an individual with a disability, or any other characteristic.