At iDE, we are powering entrepreneurs to end poverty. We are an unconventional, human-centered nonprofit organization that believes local entrepreneurs can solve many of the world’s most pressing problems. We look for innovative ways to leverage our market-based approach to transform the lives of millions of people to create lasting and meaningful change. We prioritize environmental sustainability, acknowledging that a flourishing planet is indispensable for engendering enduring transformation in the world. We believe that diversity drives innovation and we pride ourselves in having a strong, diverse staff of change makers.
The Fund Development Associate prospects, solicits and stewards corporate, foundation and individual donors with the main goal of funding the vision for long-term prosperity and wellbeing in rural communities around the world. This person demonstrates an understanding of organizational priorities, mission, vision, values and strategic goals and objectives, as well as trust and teamwork in all aspects of iDE business.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & JOB FUNCTIONS:
The primary responsibility of this position is to manage iDE’s annual fund supporters to help grow the unrestricted portion of the organization’s annual budget. This position will cultivate relationships with corporate, foundation and individual donors to maintain current funding and generate new donations. Duties and functions include:
Team Collaboration
- As a Fund Development team member, support and develop Fund Development strategies to maximize the giving potential of individual, corporate, and foundation donors to achieve or surpass iDE’s annual revenue goal.
- Work with the Fund Development team to identify the organization’s immediate and long-term funding priorities and accurately communicate those needs to donors in the Associate’s portfolio.
- Work with the Fund Development team to understand and have current knowledge on the activities and strategies of other iDE departments in order to leverage and deliver engagement opportunities that ensure donors’ financial and non-financial support is maximized.
- Work with the Fund Development team to grow iDE’s Corporate Partnerships Program. This includes collaborating on the development of sponsorship levels, corporate grants, employee engagement opportunities, and cause marketing campaigns. The Fund Development Associate will primarily be responsible for supporting the cultivation of Tier 3 small businesses and others.
- The Associate will work to retain current corporate donors, increase donations when possible, and solicit new corporate prospects in order to grow the program.
- The Associate will work together with the Senior Associate to collaborate with Marketing and Communications to ensure program assets are up to date, corporate-related mailings are implemented, and electronic communication is consistent and strategic.
- Support the continued growth of iDE’s Legacy Program by collaborating with the Senior Associate and Director of Fund Development regarding outreach (both customized and through Communications and Marketing campaigns), solicitation and stewardship.
Individual Contribution
- Build and retain a robust portfolio of annual fund donors that give from $250-$20,000 per year with the objective of maintaining and/or increasing contributions each year.
- Maintain a formalized communication plan for annual donors, which includes both individual outreach as well as public appeal messages.
- Work in partnership with the Senior Associate and Director of Fund Development to maximize funders who have the capacity to increase support.
- Grow the total net worth of the Associate’s portfolio to $400K+ annually by identifying, prioritizing, and strategizing top donors across individual, foundation, and corporate prospects.
- Become deeply familiar with each account’s special needs and with iDE’s strategy and assets in order to maximize the stakeholder to champion, invite, and invest in iDE.
- Meet with the Fund Development team to establish engagement plans for donors and prospects.
- Actively identify and research new prospects and follow-up as appropriate, prioritizing in-person visits with qualified prospects over email communication.
- Work to independently research, develop and draft formal funding proposals and reports as required by each donor or prospect.
- Personalize acknowledgements to donors, including new donors and after current donors renew or increase support to iDE.
- Develop and implement stewardship and reporting strategies once gifts are secured.
- Track and record all donor details, meetings, interactions and prospect research consistently, using Salesforce and Google Suite. Work with Database Manager to regularly monitor account progress through the donor pipeline.
- Work in concert with the Fund Development Senior Associate to engage with the Marketing and Communications team to ensure all annual fund donors are accounted for in routine fundraising campaigns.
- Proactively develop new and creative strategies for engaging the current portfolio and new prospects.
- Lead the continued growth and formalization of iDE’s Ambassador Program, which engages former board members. Cultivate this group of supporters through a customized communication plan, special events or exclusive access to iDE events or staff, and one-on-one outreach. The goal of this program is to provide a clear engagement strategy for board members after they leave the board and continue to steward them as champions and donors.
- Partner with the Senior Associate to implement and grow iDE’s Field Connections program with the support of the Director of Fund Development. Support logistics of the annual Field Connections trip, which includes working with the country team to finalize the itinerary, creating and sharing trip packets, and other ad hoc support as needed to ensure the 10-12 iDE donors, prospects and/or partners that are traveling to visit a country program feel prepared.
- Manage iDE’s monthly giving program. This includes leading on ongoing communications and inviting supporters to join the program. Work with the Senior Associate to ensure new supporters and annual supporters are exposed to the opportunity to join the monthly giving program and work to develop creative ideas for growing the program.
Other
- Support and attend conferences, trade shows, and other events where iDE is present, as decided upon by the Director of Fund Development.
- Potential to present at speaking engagements as opportunities arise.
- Work with the Director of Fund Development to pursue professional development fundraising opportunities as they arise.
- Conduct administrative duties, such as booking business travel, setting appointments and preparing materials necessary for donor visits
BEHAVIORS AND COMPETENCIES:
- Demonstrates success working with donors and securing gifts.
- Understands ethical behavior and business practices, and ensures that their own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
- Embodies an attitude of possibility and leads others to embrace this orientation as well.
- Is self-confident while being open to feedback and coachable.
- Demonstrates a high-level of written, oral, interpersonal, and communication skills with a sensitivity for professionalism, propriety and confidentiality.
- Has a genuine appreciation for and understanding of the approach iDE takes to solving poverty.
- An unwavering commitment to delivering quality information, both orally and in writing.
- Possesses cultural competency, empathy, and integrity.
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:
- 1+ years of experience in sales, fundraising, or marketing/communications.
- Experience working within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial organization.
- Ability to be a creative thinker, energetic and demonstrate enthusiasm and leadership.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to write concisely, compile and/or edit materials.
- Computer proficiency in Google Suite is required, Salesforce experience is a plus.
- Fluency in English is required.
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree a plus.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Approximately 10-20% time commitment to travel for meetings with top prospects in the Associate’s portfolio.
- Ability to travel internationally to rural areas often in rugged and/or uncomfortable conditions.
- Open office environment with a culture of collaboration.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; sit; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
OTHER PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Office equipment, including but not limited to: printer, computer, meeting spaces, etc.
- Office building access includes stairs and elevator.
- Working across timezones may mean working, having calls, and conducting meetings outside of regular working hours.
Benefits
DIVERSITY STATEMENT:
At iDE, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to achieving our mission and fulfilling our vision of a just and equitable world. We embrace a range of human differences and value the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings. We are committed to creating fair access and opportunities, examining our employment practices and striving to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
BENEFITS:
iDE offers a competitive benefits package which includes health insurance (including medical, dental and vision coverage), company-paid short and long-term disability, company-paid life insurance, a generous PTO and holiday policy, access to peer learning, and professional development.
Applicants must live and have the right to work in the United States.
