Associate Director, Individual Giving

Associate Director, Individual Giving

Reports to: Director of Development

Location: Remote (commuting proximity to LA, Bay Area, or NYC strongly preferred)

Classification: Full-time (40 hours per week), Exempt, Management

Supervises: Manager of Individual Giving (to be hired), Development Officer

Salary Range: $95,000-107,000 (Grade 10)

About Bend the Arc

Bend the Arc is building a multiracial, multiethnic, intergenerational movement of Jews and allies all across the country who are rising up to build an American future free from white supremacy, antisemitism, and racism. We’re investing in systems that keep our communities safe and divesting from systems that uphold white supremacy. We organize, advocate, tell stories, and develop the leaders we need to build the multiracial democracy that’s been promised in America but never achieved. And we’re fighting for the joyful future we deserve: one where Black liberation is realized and where all of us — within and beyond our Jewish community — are safe and thriving.

The Bend the Arc family of organizations consists of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, our 501(c)(4) organizing and advocacy arm; Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC, the first and only Jewish PAC to advocate exclusively for progressive policies in the U.S.; and Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice, our 501(c)(3) education and leadership arm.

Headquartered in New York City, we have remote staff nationwide with clusters in Los Angeles and Washington DC, with a network of staffed chapters, volunteer-led local groups, and affiliates organizing nationwide.

About the Position

Are you ready for a growth opportunity? Does the idea of building a dream team excite you? We’re looking for a seasoned fundraiser, keen strategist, and strong manager who is excited to organize people and resources in service of Bend the Arc’s vision. Our ideal candidate is eager for the opportunity to shape and lead a robust moves management program for grassroots, mid-level, and major donors, and to effectively manage a high-functioning Individual Giving team to strengthen our donor pipeline. They understand the role of fundraising in building powerful, durable movements, and are motivated by helping donors connect to and invest in the work that best matches their priorities and values.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Planning and Strategy (30%)

• Develop and lead the Individual Giving team on a comprehensive, multi-tier individual donor fundraising strategy that incorporates new and ongoing initiatives, including (but not limited to) donor solicitation and stewardship, direct mail and digital fundraising, in-person and virtual events, a recurring giving program, and peer-to-peer fundraising
• Annual review of individual giving portfolio to identify candidates for gift upgrades and multi-year pledges as well as managing projections
• Collaborate with Washington Director and Assistant PAC Director to increase contributions to Bend the Arc: Jewish Action PAC; work to diversify donor contributions across the family of organizations 
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor information across all systems (ex: contact information, relationship information, etc) 
• Work closely with members of the Development and Finance teams to develop, track, and update fundraising goals

Donor pipeline and portfolio management (40%)

• Build and manage a portfolio of 75-100 major donors as well as managing the CEO’s donor portfolio, closing a specific number of gifts each year to meet annual goals and objectives
• Increase and bring in new contributions from individuals by creating and implementing tailored prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
• Support the team to maintain a high level of contact with prospects/donors and strengthen relationships with existing and new major donors
• Manage individual donor annual cultivation and stewardship plans, including appeals and in-person and virtual events
• Support staff and board members in their prospecting, cultivation, and solicitation activities as needed
• Annually, oversee team wealth screening and donor research for existing major donors as well as prospects
• Prepare and maintain donor profiles for CEO and other staff in preparation for major donor visits 

Supervision (20%)

• Manage the Development Officer for Major Gifts and the Individual Giving Manager (to be hired)
• Lead hiring, onboarding, professional development, and evaluation efforts for Individual Giving team members, in collaboration with the Director of Development
• Develop learning and professional development arcs for supervisees, based on identified skills, interests, and needs to chart their ongoing growth and development
• Work with Development Coordinator to refine, update, and document best practices for gift entry processes to ensure timely and accurate acknowledgement and recognition of all gifts along with internal reconciliation
• Advise Director of Development on capacity needs, based on portfolio growth

Communications (10%)

• Regularly partner with the Associate Director of Institutional Giving and Vision and Campaigns teams to identify and develop compelling donor storytelling and other collateral 
• Support and collaborate with the Individual Giving team in authoring, updating, and modifying donor collateral aimed at discrete donor segments, including cases for support, donor kits, and one-pagers
• Provide oversight and advice on direct and digital mail communications
• Support team skill development around effective storytelling and donor communication

Skills & Qualifications

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following qualities, skills and experiences:

Staff-wide:

• Strong commitment to justice and equity and grounding in pro-Black values and practices; familiarity and alignment with Bend the Arc’s mission and vision
• Developed racial equity praxis (analysis and skill) that can be applied to day to day work
• Resilience and self-awareness to navigate power, responsibility and experience mindfully
• Values and is open to giving and receiving feedback.
• Communicates effectively, honestly, and considerately
• Works collaboratively and considerately with colleagues, within and across teams, to achieve goals and objectives
• Completes administrative responsibilities in a timely manner
• For managing positions: Experience supporting growth and development of direct reports through clear communication of expectations, frequent, timely and actionable feedback and building of trusting relationships grounded in an understanding of power

Role-specific:

• Minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in a donor-facing fundraising role working directly with donors, with at least 2 years of experience soliciting major gifts ($2,500+ per year)
• Applied experience in fundraising with grassroots and/or mid-level donors is preferred
• At least 2 years of experience in direct supervision or management role required; a history of successfully leading fundraising teams is a big plus
• Ability to successfully manage staff with diverse work and communication styles
• Demonstrated experience with donor portfolio management in a CRM or fundraising database; Raiser’s Edge experience preferred
• Experience in fundraising strategy and planning for a multi-tier individual donor portfolio strongly preferred
• Superb verbal and written interpersonal communication skills 
• General ability to collect, track, and analyze portfolio performance data in planning and course correction
• Responsible self-starter, able to work independently and with curiosity and manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Organized, with a meticulous attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and strong familiarity with Google platforms (including Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Sheets) and Slack
• Knowledge of Jewish communal ecosystem, Jewish philanthropy, and/or the progressive funding landscape a strong plus
• Prior experience fundraising for a multi-entity organization (e.g. 501c3/501c4) a plus
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a plus, but not required

Working at Bend the Arc

As a Bend the Arc staff member, you will be part of an intentional, learning-immersive culture that seeks to embody and practice the values of justice and equity that animate our mission and our work. You will have opportunities to regularly be in cross-disciplinary space with your colleagues -- in regular all-staff meetings and trainings, in ad-hoc and standing cross-team committees, and through a body of shared work toward becoming a pro-Black organization. 

All staff are expected to participate in our race equity transformation and apply shared principles, practices, and tools in executing their everyday job responsibilities, and are held accountable to a set of competencies that are regularly assessed through our evaluation process. 

We are creating a culture of resilience, self-awareness, and ongoing learning to meet the political moment and to move toward our north star: a multiracial democracy where Black liberation is realized and where everyone can live and thrive. We are proud to be a Union shop and to be working with the Non-profit Employees Union (NPEU) toward achieving our goals. This position is not eligible for the Bargaining Unit, as it is a management role; the person in this role will supervise staff members whose positions are currently Union-eligible.

Working Conditions

Bend the Arc is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and interview process and to perform essential job functions. Please advise in writing of any needs at the time of application by emailing hr@bendthearc.us. 

• Must be able to operate a computer, video platforms, and other office machinery throughout working hours. 
• Must be able to identify, discern, and communicate across different platforms (including Slack, email, phone, and video conferencing) on a regular basis, and effectively manage a high volume of communication, including phone calls, email, and meetings (both virtual and in-person).
• Must regularly collect and analyze information in databases, documents, and spreadsheets, and be able to synthesize and make meaning of this information. 
• Must occasionally (~8-10 times per year) travel by air and ground transportation and move about to attend donor meetings, conferences, events, and an annual staff retreat in accordance with organizational COVID guidelines on travel. 
• While this role does not require a valid driver’s license or access to a personal vehicle, candidates with the ability to drive will occasionally be asked to do so for donor visits. 
• Any work-related travel would be paid for by Bend the Arc.
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Compensation, Benefits, and Work Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position. The work schedule will include some evenings when needed and occasional weekends, including regular air and ground travel for donor visits. The annual salary range is $95,000 - $107,000 commensurate with experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• Medical, dental and vision benefits fully paid for by Bend the Arc for individual coverage and employer contribution of 80% toward monthly premiums for dependent and family coverage;
• Long and short term disability benefits fully paid for by Bend the Arc;
• Paid time off including:
• 15 vacation days during your first three years with an increase to 20 vacation days in your fourth year
• 12 sick days per year
• 23 paid holidays each year
• Caregiving / Personal Leave of Absence policy with a Paid Leave Benefit that covers up to 12 paid weeks after 90 days on staff
• Fully paid Sabbatical of up to 12 weeks for long-term employees;
• Adoption Assistance Program providing reimbursement of up to $1,500 for qualified adoption expenses;
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account;
• Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account for eligible health related expenses
• Commuter Benefits;
• Employee Assistance Program;
• Life Insurance fully paid for by Bend the Arc;
• Access to professional development funding;
• Access to funding for home office equipment;
• Monthly utilities stipend
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Bend the Arc has been working remotely since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and does not currently have a set date for returning to regular in-person work. We offer a stipend to facilitate remote work, if needed. We regularly update our policies for in-person gathering to reflect CDC guidelines and best practice. This position, as noted above, entails some travel, including to team and all-staff retreats, in-person donor meetings and events, conferences, and the like. 

To Apply:

Research suggests that women and structurally marginalized and/or underrepresented groups of people believe they need to meet 100% of the requirements in job postings to even apply. Bend the Arc encourages anyone who believes they have the skills and motivation necessary to succeed here to apply for this role, even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications, as no one applicant ever does. We look forward to hearing from you.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter to jobs@bendthearc.us with “Associate Director, Individual Giving” in the subject line of your message. Your cover letter should include the following: 

1. Why you are excited to fundraise in support of Bend the Arc’s vision;
2. How you manage others to execute on fundraising strategy; 
3. How the skills reflected in your resume and your past professional experiences in general will set you up to be successful in fulfilling the responsibilities of this role as listed in the job description

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled; we anticipate beginning outreach to candidates selected for interviews in early April 2024.

Due to the number of applications we typically receive, we sincerely regret that someone from our hiring team will not be able to respond to all applicants. Only those considered for the position will be contacted to interview. No phone calls please.

EEO Statement:

Bend the Arc values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture because we recognize that diversity within our staff helps us organize and work well with diverse Jewish and progressive constituencies. Candidates should be willing to work within the Jewish community, but may be of any (or no) faith or background.

Bend the Arc provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other legally protected status. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understand the scope of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, or responsibilities associated with the position.