Position Overview: As a small, expanding team with a start-up mentality, CDA seeks a dynamic Director of Development and Communications. This crucial role is at the heart of our mission, focusing on developing donor pipelines, diversifying funding, stewardship, and enhancing communications. The Director will be instrumental in growing our funding base, forging strong relationships with foundations, and elevating our organizational profile. This position is ideal for someone who views themselves as a strategic leader in fundraising, poised to guide us towards future successes and ensure our significant impact in change-making.
About you: A dedicated policy professional with a flair for nonprofit fundraising, you embody a strategic vision that resonates deeply with our mission. Your commitment to policy improvement in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially for the well-being of people on the move including migrants, refugees, those facing internal displacement, and climate-affected individuals, is profound. You seek not just a job, but a mission to foster regional collaboration for these groups. You thrive in a dynamic start-up environment, where your creativity and initiative shine. You’re not hesitant to dive into the work, whether that means getting hands-on in the field or tackling challenges.
Your ability to build relationships and craft compelling narratives is a valuable asset. You possess the essential qualities that CDA values, and we look forward to welcoming you to our team to make a meaningful impact in the realm of policy change and advocacy. Join us, and let’s work together to create positive change!
About us: The Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA) is all about infusing U.S. policy towards the Americas with a big, bold regional approach. We bring a unique touch to thoughtful engagement, partnerships, and mutual respect, aimed at fostering more informed and rights-based policy-making on issues like migration. Our journey takes us across the Americas, where we dive into research and dialogue, raising awareness and sparking engaging conversations among stakeholders. We’re on a mission to build an amazing community that bridges the gap between government and civil society, igniting epic, collaborative problem-solving. From regional migration to US-Cuba relations, we offer a critical and authentic regional perspective; our small but powerful team amplifies voices in diplomatic circles, working tirelessly to support the rights, dignity, and well-being of people in the Americas. We do it with dedication, camaraderie, and a lot of fun!
CDA has been busy working on a makeover; we are transforming into a brand-new organization with a fantastic organizational strategy review, complete with a fresh new name, value proposition, and a culture that’s buzzing with excitement. Plus, we have an organizational vision for 2025 to work towards. Stay tuned for the big reveal in early 2024!
As part of our makeover, we are expanding our team, and we’re on the hunt for an engaging director to partner with us on our vision, and help us boost CDA’s visibility and donor base. We are looking to supercharge our profile and resources so that we can continue to magnify policy solutions that’ll shake up engagement and collaboration across the Americas. We are talking about great changes in the realms of migration management and human rights.
Key Responsibilities:
Fundraising and Development
- Fundraising Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive, sustainable fundraising three-year strategy that targets primarily foundations.
- Foundation Grants: Research opportunities, co-author grant proposals, manage grant applications, work closely with foundation grant officers, co-author grant reports, and develop a calendar for managing grant reporting and renewal dates.
- Donor Engagement: Identify and cultivate new donors; renew lapsed donors, and increase giving from existing donors through appeals, private events, and donor visits.
- Fundraising Events: Plan and manage fundraising events, campaigns, and other initiatives for current and prospective donors to maximize revenue, while carefully managing expenses.
Donor Relations
- Stewardship: Implement a robust stewardship program to maintain relationships with individual donors, foundations, customize donor recognition and engagement opportunities based on donor preferences.
- Storytelling and Impact Reporting: Creatively elevate and regularly share stories of impact with donors to increase giving and seek opportunities to communicate impact during events, donor visits, written correspondence, digital and print fundraising materials, and the annual report.
- Compliance: Ensure federal compliance with donor tax receipting and acknowledgements, state solicitation applications, non-profit tax-exempt renewals, and grant reporting.
- Data Management: Overall management of the donor database/CRM which includes maintaining data integrity, research and wealth screening, gift documentation and tracking, cultivation and stewardship actions, solicitations and proposal activity, and reconciliations with personnel managing finance.
Communications and Public Relations
- Communications: Develop and implement a communication strategy that effectively conveys the organization’s identity, impact and mission and increases visibility to donors.
- Digital Marketing: Design and oversee digital marketing efforts, including social media, email marketing, and online campaigns.
Reporting and Collaboration: The position reports to the Executive Director, but the successful candidate must be able to collaborate closely with varied stakeholders. This includes working with the Director for Strategy and Advocacy to align development and communication efforts with programmatic activities; the Board of Directors to support and leverage their fundraising capacities and networks, and current and prospective donors.
Travel: This position requires domestic and possible international travel.
Minimum Qualifications:
- 8-10 years of professional experience in fundraising and development with a proven track record of successfully securing six and seven-figure philanthropic commitments from a variety of sources OR relevant experience in the private sector demonstrating similar skills and successes.
- Demonstrated experience and success in cultivating and retaining donors in the non-profit sector.
- Experience writing and designing grant proposals, case statements, and donor stewardship reports.
- Strong understanding of communications, branding, and public relations, and social media.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; must have the ability to draft compelling and concise messaging across a variety of channels.
- Familiarity with CRM and donor management software.
- Proficiency in digital content creation and marketing, and social media platforms.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Nonprofit Management.)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field.
- Experience working with fundraising volunteers, advisory committees, and board members.
- Experience with international fundraising and development.
- Experience working in refugee or migration-related affairs, inter-American affairs.
- Fluency in Spanish, both written and spoken, would be advantageous.
Additional Information:
Employee Attributes: We are looking for a great team player, a proactive doer, creative problem solver, a resilient advocate, and an active learner that is willing to roll up their sleeves and join us on our journey.
Competitive benefits: Including a health, dental, and vision plan, 401(k) plan, four weeks of paid leave, home office stipend, and more.
In addition to CDA’s base compensation and bonuses, we will offer a performance-based compensation package for this position, which will be determined based on a combination of financial and programmatic indicators. These include meeting or exceeding set fundraising targets, diversifying funding sources, and securing funding that directly contributes to specific, measurable improvements in our program’s impact.
How to apply
Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and examples of successful fundraising or communication campaigns to info@democracyinamericas.org. Please include “Director of Development and Communications Application” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
CDA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.