About State Voices
State Voices is a national network – built from the states up – that helps grassroots organizations win civic engagement victories and build long-term political power. Since 2008, we’ve been employing the principles of collective impact, building the capacity of partners with data analysis and shared resources, and strengthening our democracy by amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.
State Voices sustains a dynamic ecosystem of 24 state tables and organizations in every state, comprising over 1,200 partner organizations. We provide the organizations in our network with the data, tools, and support they need to help create a healthy and thriving democracy through a racial equity lens. We advance this work through three national programs: Civic Engagement (voter education, registration and turnout, issue advocacy, and constituency engagement), Civic Access (voting rights and election administration), and Civic Representation (census and redistricting).
It’s our collective duty to end the systemic, relentless disenfranchisement targeting Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI, and all communities of color, young adults, LGBTQ people, women, low-income, and all oppressed people. That’s why State Voices works year-round to create a more accessible, inclusive, and representative democracy.
Details
Full-Time
Remote; Must be based in Washington D.C
Position Overview
State Voices is a 501(c)(3) with an affiliated 501(c)(4) – State Democracy Action; together, the organizations have a combined budget of $25 million. We seek a highly relational individual with the ability to build deep and meaningful relationships quickly. The Director of Development must be highly motivated and detail-oriented with a deep commitment to social justice. The ideal candidate for this role is strategic, entrepreneurial, and energized to leverage their full-cycle fundraising knowledge to serve as a consultative partner and capacity-builder with teams across State Voices. The Development Director will work in concert with the President, the Chief Executive Officer, program directors, state table directors, and Board members to implement the organization’s fundraising plan, which includes the solicitation of foundation support and major gifts. They will cultivate, expand, and diversify State Voices’ donor base and work closely with other team members to secure funding for new and current initiatives that advance the organization’s mission.
They will oversee the management and growth of fundraising activities. In 2024, the State Voices budget is expected to be $26 million, approximately $13.7 million of which is from a portfolio of primarily institutional funders, major individual and family donors, and a small and growing pool of annual fund donors.
Primary Functions
The responsibilities of the Director of Development will include:
- Collaborate with the President, the CEO, senior staff, and the Board of Directors to help envision and execute a strategic fundraising plan that includes foundations, major gifts, and an annual fund
- Close coordination and partnership with the President in cultivating and stewarding a community of new and existing supporters across revenue types to unlock their full philanthropic potential
- Develop strategies to engage core donors and educate broader donor networks across the ecosystem
- Manage and grow a portfolio of over 30 current institutional supporters giving five- and six-figure annual gifts
- Lead the day-to-day management of all fundraising activities, including prospect research, cultivation, and stewardship estimated up to 30% travel
- Provide leadership, strategic direction, oversight, and efficient coordination for the development team to execute the development plan and to monitor progress toward these goals
- Ensure the strength and smooth operations of the Development department and support Development staff; provide learning and growth opportunities to development staff
- Track and prepare monthly analysis of income and progress, including qualitative and quantitative results
- Prepare and deliver fundraising presentations to the Board of Directors at least three times a year
- Collaborate with the Finance team to ensure adherence and timely tracking and reporting on income and expense projections
- Seek out and participate in external events and networking opportunities and work closely with the President to develop thematic narratives that position the organization and leverage movement spaces
- Utilize EveryAction CRM to plan, implement, and evaluate fund development.
- Participation in State Voices national staff activities, including staff and network retreats, convenings, check-in calls, and other all-staff activities as requested
- Other related duties as they arise or are assigned
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess many or all of the following qualifications:
- At least 8-10 years’ experience in progressive fundraising roles for nonprofit organizations, with a confirmed track record of front-line fundraising, prospecting, cultivating and closing major grants and/or gifts
- Able to translate executive-level organizational objectives into specific departmental outputs and outcomes
- Provides leadership support on strategic, long-term planning across complex organizations
- Possess a strategic, big-picture, and systems lens to the foundation funders in the advocacy/progressive movement infrastructure sector
- Comfortable with ambiguity and managing under various circumstances; appropriately patient and persistent
- Ability to present and communicate well, both verbally and in writing, outside the organization and within State Voices
- Excellent writing and editing skills and a readiness and ease with grant writing practices.
- Experience and ease with donor CRM databases, nonprofit 501c3 and 501c4 compliance, donor privacy policies, and maintaining development-related files
- Understanding of the complexities of a national organization working with affiliates in various states
- Familiarity with civic engagement, democracy, advocacy or other similar organizations
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies. Committed to racial equity and using a personal approach that values individuals and their differences
- Relationship-oriented; builder of relationships marked by respect, trust, and integrity; treating everyone as they would like to be treated, and unthreatened by others’ strengths
- Able to build collaboratively and secure buy-in through persuasion, logic, and a problem-solving perspective
- Culture and mission-driven: genuine appreciation for and commitment to the mission of State Voices and knowledge of, and relationships with, the national Civic Engagement philanthropic community
- Strong operational and organizational skills with a hands-on work style and an eagerness to roll up his/her sleeves
- Ability and willingness to contribute as a team player within the organization and to delegate responsibility and empower subordinates as appropriate
- Creativity, resourcefulness, appropriate aggressiveness, and possessing an entrepreneurial and intellectual curiosity
To Apply
Please submit your resume, and cover letter using our application portal.
Terms of Employment: This is a full-time, exempt position.
Location: Remote; Must be based in the Washington, D.C. Metro area
Compensation: The salary range for this position is $135,000 – $150,000, commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package of: health, dental, and life insurance; paid vacation and sick leave; 401k and match; FSA funds; home office stipend; summer Fridays; monthly wellness day; mid-year break; 2-week closure for winter holidays; and allocated professional development funds.
State Voices is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.