Associate Director of Major Gifts

Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the sole organization dedicated to electing Democrats to statehouses. Since 2016, the DLCC and state partners have built eight new majorities and flipped seats from red to blue across the country – paving the way for progress. State legislatures pass the policies that most affect Americans’ day-to-day lives, and flipping chambers from red to blue has an outsized impact on governing and public policy.

Taking back power starts at the local level. The DLCC recruits, trains, and supports local Democrats running for their state legislatures. We provide our candidates with the resources, field support, and data necessary to run smart, winning campaigns. By gaining a foothold in state legislatures, Democrats can engage supporters across the country and prepare for victories in statewide and national elections.

We’re powered by more than 200,000 supporters from all 50 states. Over 98% of our contributions come from grassroots donors (giving an average of $29), who fuel thousands of local Democratic candidates across the country.

Building up Democratic majorities in the states is more important than ever. With right-wing radicals proliferating state legislatures across the country and redistricting happening this year, our democracy is on the line. We’re counting on our supporters to get educated, involved, and take action in their communities.

The DLCC compensates employees competitively and provides a very generous benefits package. We believe in work-life balance and understand that every employee has unique circumstances at home. We offer employees significant amounts of time off as well as flexible work options. We’re dedicated to treating one another with respect in the workplace and prioritize racial equity and inclusion (REI) in our work with one another as well as with our stakeholders.

Associate Director of Major Gifts

The Associate Director of Major Gifts is responsible for cultivating continued support among a portfolio of existing major donors ($10,000+) and recruiting new supporters at the major gifts level. The Associate Director of Major Gifts’ goal is to maintain a high-performing consistent revenue stream for the DLCC, increasing the number of major donors to the committee and the overall fundraising success of the program.

The Associate Director of Major Gifts accomplishes these goals by prospecting donors, communicating regularly to donors, soliciting monetary support through emails, calls, meetings, and events, and managing all follow-up associated with financial asks.

Using strong organizational and prioritization skills, the Associate Director of Major Gifts is expected to balance multiple priorities, from concept to completion, while working independently on projects. The Associate Director of Major Gifts must be able to work under pressure, while handling a wide variety of projects and responsibilities.

This position reports to the Senior Development Director. The DLCC is located in Washington, DC, and our office has taken on a hybrid model for staff effective January 2022. This position is eligible to be permanently remote or for flexible work arrangements and requires occasional travel with DLCC principals and for organizational meetings and events.

The Associate Director of Major Gifts is expected to model the values of the DLCC:

• CREDIBILITY: We are respected and trusted in words and actions.
• INCLUSIVE: The DLCC values the unique experience and perspective of all who work here. We strive to make all contributors feel welcomed, valued, and respected. We focus on outcomes, recognizing different people approach opportunities and challenges differently.
• INITIATIVE: We exhibit high levels of creativity in our work and need all team members to proactively contribute ideas to move our work forward.
• RESULTS DRIVEN: Our team undertakes projects professionally and executes them fully and to completion.
• RISK: We identify opportunities to employ new ideas and tactics and execute these ideas when we believe the potential reward outweighs the risk. We evaluate, learn, and improve our strategy, both when the risks pay off and when they do not.
• TEAMWORK: We work collaboratively, additively, and in sync with our colleagues. Our individual work considers the needs, capacity, and expertise of those we work alongside.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and grow donor relationships with major donors by: prospecting donors, communicating regularly with donors, soliciting monetary support through emails, calls, meetings, and events, and managing all follow-up associated with financial asks.
• Create metrics and processes to consistently evaluate and measure success of the Major Gifts program.
• Work closely with Senior Development Director and Associate Director of Major Gifts (Mid-Level Giving) to track outreach to donors and identify opportunities to upgrade mid-level donors to major donors.
• Work with Major Gifts consultants to convert existing donor relationships to DLCC relationships.
• Provide support to the Senior Development Director in developing and executing major gifts fundraising plans.
• Provide support to the Senior Development Director in developing major gifts call time strategies.
• Conduct donor research and identify potential prospects.
• Correspond professionally with Legislators and Legislative Leaders as needed, such as inviting them to events, sending briefing information, and call time sheets.
• Other duties as assigned.

Outcomes

• DLCC’s major gifts program grows, increasing the number of donors in the program and the overall revenue raised.
• DLCC’s major gifts donors are actively engaged through emails, calls, and meetings.

Qualifications

• 2-3 cycles (or 4-5 years) of fundraising experience, either supporting a campaign, political committee, PAC, non-profit organization, or other.
• Experience with direct major gift solicitation, including prospecting and upgrading
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks accordingly.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets; experience with NGPVAN is required.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn and ask questions.

Physical Requirements

The DLCC is committed to supporting employees of varying abilities and to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to thrive at the DLCC.

The requirements of this role, related to its physical demands, described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

All DLCC employees must be able to operate a computer and use a cell phone. For roles at the DLCC that include frequent business travel expectations, we can discuss reasonable alternatives to travel in some instances. Most roles also require communicating with key external stakeholders of the organization in person, via the telephone, or via email. Applicants with questions about accommodations may request to speak with our ADA liaison, Nytoyia Laughlin.

Essential functions of the role include:

• Working from a computer for long periods of time.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be frequently required to communicate using the telephone, email, and in person with stakeholders (including public speaking and meeting facilitation).
• This position has less than 5% travel expectations and is eligible for flexible work hour arrangements.

How to Apply

Salary for the Associate Director of Major Gifts is $72,080 – $78,000, on an annualized basis, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The DLCC offers a generous benefits package, including:

• More than 25 days of paid time off, including for Federal holidays, time off around Federal holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year, vacation, sick, and personal days.
• Fully paid health/vision/dental insurance for the employee + spouse/partner + dependents.
• Up to 6% retirement employer contribution.
• Monthly use-it-or-lose-it $100 transit benefit for employees located in the DC region.
• Employer contribution of $500 to employee’s Flexible Spending Account, and opportunity to withhold pre-tax income for Dependent Care Account.
• Up to $5,000 employer-paid Health Reimbursement Account for IVF-related costs or Adoption Assistance, and up to $2,500 for employer-paid Health Reimbursement Account for out-of-pocket dental and orthodontic expenses.
• Monthly $100 student loan payment benefit.
• Monthly $100 mobile phone reimbursement.
• and more.

To apply for this position, please complete an electronic application by August 15, 2023. The DLCC may review applications after this deadline in limited circumstances; however, this is not a guarantee that your application will be considered if it is not submitted by August 15, 2023. Only complete applications through the application portal will be accepted. You must also include a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to be considered for this position. When an applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to compete for this position, they may request it in writing by emailing jobs(at)dlcc.org. No calls please. Applicants will be screened on a rolling basis.

The DLCC is committed to an inclusive and equitable environment and diversity among its staff and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to engaging, retaining, and supporting a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. The DLCC is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, personal appearance, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, or any other legally protected basis. The DLCC will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination and any such conduct is strictly prohibited.