Rising Voices

Development Director

Based in Detroit, MI

 

Rising Voices is a nonprofit organization that organizes and develops the leadership of Asian American women, families and young people for power around progressive values and policy in the state of Michigan through community and cultural organizing, electoral engagement, and policy advocacy for a future where all families can thrive. 

We envision a state and communities where our families have access to just economic policies, in-language support, affordable and culturally competent healthcare, inclusive education, and a state welcoming to immigrants. Additionally, there is advocacy for workers, policy representation, and electeds accountable to the people. Our theory of change includes multiple strategies for power that serve to develop leadership within Asian American communities that will move local state and federal progressive policy and help elect progressive candidates to champion those issues.

Rising Voices is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Empowered Politics, a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization; Rising Voices Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Empowered Politics Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Rising Voices is expanding and building toward an established nonprofit organization and has prioritized fundraising as a crucial need. The Development Director position is a new role within the organization. The Development Director will work with Senior Management on budgeting and fundraising to meet Rising Voices’ fundraising needs. They will focus on managing foundation relationships while also developing an individual and major donor fundraising program that includes events.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The following responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel classified in this manner. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Fundraising Strategy:
  • Collaborate with Senior Leadership to develop and execute an annual fundraising plan
  • Create and maintain an engagement calendar for building and sustaining funder and donor relationships
• Funder Engagement:
  • Prospect for new foundation funders and assist the Co-Executive Directors in developing relationships with potential funders
  • Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with funders
  • Handle all aspects of grant writing, from application to reporting, ensuring alignment with objectives and compliance
  • Support Co-Executive Directors and Operations Director on fiscal reports
  • Maintain Airtable/internal portal and comprehensive grants calendar in order to prospect, prepare and track proposals and reports for funders
  • Participate in funder meetings and site visits as needed
• Donor Engagement:
  • Create a strategy for building a base of annual individual donors, including regular appeals
  • Spearhead small dollar and major donor fundraising initiatives, including creative fundraising events and giving opportunities
• Team Collaboration:
  • Partner with Executive Leadership, staff, and Advisory Board to to create and support a culture of shared investment in fundraising within the organization
  • Collaborate with Communications and Digital staff to implement donor communications, including social media where appropriate, email blasts, monthly newsletters, and website updates
  • Support Organizing Team in developing and implementing a robust membership program
  • Work with Operations Team and Fiscal Sponsor to support the grant lifecycle
• Fundraising Data Analysis:
  • Manage a donor database and oversee data entry, gift processing, and acknowledgment and stewardship processes; monitor donor metrics to ensure donor retention. Provide insights on donation trends and campaign effectiveness.
  • Evaluate and report the success of fundraising campaigns, including data on gifts, donor retention, acquisition costs for funds acquired, etc.;

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 4-5 years measurably-proven and relevant experience in fundraising
• Experience in grant writing and reviewing grant applications and reports
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with ability to manage multiple projects/tasks and deadlines
• Excellent public speaking skills and ability to tailor communications with various audiences
• Proven ability to write accessible and persuadable content for a wide variety of audiences and outlets
• Skilled at establishing and cultivating strong relationships with peers and across different levels of the organization and externally
• Comfort in and flexibility with learning new technologies and data platforms
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism
• Ability to work with others under pressure, and creatively adapt strategies and tactics as needed
• Willingness to travel out-of-town and work evenings or weekends as needed (flex time offered) 

We encourage people to apply even if they don’t meet all the listed requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The position is a full-time position that works 40 hours a week and requires periodic travel.
• This position is currently hybrid and will include remote work at home, work at onsite locations and mandatory meetings at Rising Voices’ Techtown office in Detroit, MI with moderate level of noise and interruptions.
• This position may require some work on nights and weekends (Saturday and Sunday).

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

COMPENSATION
This is a full time, exempt position starting at $80,000 – $90,000 dependent on experience.
Position includes a full benefits package.

• Excellent medical, vision, and dental insurance with 100% employer sponsored plans
• Earned paid time off, including vacation, personal, compensatory & sick time
• 13 paid holidays
• 3 weeks end of year winter closure
• Employer contribution into dependent care FSA
• Employer-sponsored 401k retirement savings account.
• Monthly phone and work from home stipend.

Rising Voices has a non-negotiation policy when it comes to salary as part of a commitment to equity in compensation.

INQUIRY AND APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications should be submitted via this portal and include:

• Letter of interest
• Résumé
• 2 writing samples of your choosing; and
• Names, contact information, and relationship for three references who can speak the range of qualifications sought, including a recent supervisee/direct report.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Rising Voices contracts with Resilient Strategies LLC for backend and operational support including hiring and employment. Resilient Strategies is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, parents, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. Pursuant of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.