Pro Bono Net – Director of Development
February 2013

Pro Bono Net, a national nonprofit organization using innovative technology to increase access to justice, seeks a Director of Development to conceive, implement and expand a comprehensive development program. The right candidate will work closely with the Executive Director, Board, and staff to raise a significant portion of the organization’s overall budget of $4 million,  and will have years of demonstrated success raising major gifts from foundations, corporations, law firms, and/or individual donors. The Director of Development, based in New York City, will play a key role in the leadership of the organization and will report to the Executive Director. We are looking for an energetic, strategic, and entrepreneurial candidate who wants to promote our vision for technology and collaboration in service of social justice.

Position Summary

Responsible for planning and managing Pro Bono Net’s fund development program focused on Pro Bono Net’s institutional giving but including major gifts from individuals, the annual fund including leadership gifts and special events, prospect research, stewardship, and information systems.  Support of the Executive Director and Board leaders’ foundation and major gift work is a critical component of the work. As an individual contributor, this position is responsible for identifying, qualifying, engaging, soliciting, and stewarding 50 to 100 donors and prospective donors capable of giving major gifts over time and for engaging and soliciting prospective donors capable of giving $1,000 to $25,000 annually. Serving as a senior member of the management team this position is also responsible for helping shape the organization’s future.

Position Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing a multi-year strategic, comprehensive plan with overarching, measurable goals for the organization, and specific measurable goals for each aspect of the program. In addition, the plan includes:
  • Three-year name-by-name table of gifts
  • Table of gifts for current year
  • Case for supporting the organization and specific fundraising priorities
  • Metrics for analyzing and monitoring work
  • Role of the Executive Director, board and volunteers
  • Integrated marketing and communications plan
  • Calendars for annual giving, special events, and stewardship

• Identifying, engaging, soliciting and stewarding institutional donors with a focus on foundations and capable of giving $50,000+ grants and donations.

• Write and create proposals as well as other collateral materials necessary for successfully cultivating, soliciting and stewarding foundations and other institutional donors.

• Create reports as required by institutional donors.

• Meeting agreed upon goals; monitoring progress and reporting monthly or quarterly on progress against goals; analyzing trends and making adjustments throughout the year.

• Work with the Executive Director and board leaders to build its major gift work with top donors and prospective donors.

• Developing and implementing a written plan for identifying, qualifying, engaging, soliciting and stewarding individual potential donors capable of giving $2,500 to $25,000 annually.

• Achieving a balanced fundraising program by putting resources with the highest potential for return (major gifts from all sources with an emphasis on foundation gifts).

• Supervising donor research and management, donor stewardship and information systems and report generation whether this is a staff or one person, making sure that all functions are covered.

• Staffing assigned volunteers and Board committees (usually the development committee and/or campaign steering committee and committee on board development or governance (nominating).

• Manage organization’s marketing and communications so that donors, grantors and customers are receiving integrated and appropriate messaging.

• Manage corporate sponsorship program focused on information, technology and other corporations serving the legal industry.

• Serve as a member of the management team to align fundraising efforts with the organization’s overall strategic plan and organizational goals.

• Supervise and work with full-time Development Associate to achieve organization’s fundraising and communications goals.

Qualifications

• An articulated belief in the mission of the organization.
• A proved track record as a major gift officer and manager, or comparable, transferable experiences.
• Confident and skilled communicator (written and verbal), emphasizing the ability to listen and hear others.
• Is personally philanthropic.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically.
• Detail oriented and highly organized, with ability to multitask, establish priorities and achieve results.
• Must be a self-starter who is comfortable working independently on projects in a fast paced organization and taking on new pilot initiatives.
• Ability to adapt to new ideas in a positive way; flexible approach to unexpected changes in priorities and ability to respond to the needs/expectations of diverse stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to travel several times a year.
• Sense of humor and integrity required.
• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree highly desirable.

Organization Background

Pro Bono Net (PBN) works in close partnership with other nonprofit legal organizations across the U.S. and Canada to increase access to justice for poor and moderate-income people. It does so by (i) supporting technology innovation by the nonprofit legal sector, (ii) increasing participation by volunteers, and (iii) facilitating collaborations among advocates working on similar issues or in the same region. Pro Bono Net’s programs include LawHelp.org, probono.net, Pro Bono Manager, and LawHelp Interactive. To learn more about Pro Bono Net’s programs, visit http://www.probono.net/about/item.Mission.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit a CV, references, 1-2 page writing sample, and cover letter that specifically addresses the candidate’s suitability to perform the job responsibilities detailed above to jobs@probono.net with Director of Development in the subject heading. Only those offered interviews will be contacted.

Deadline:    March 15, 2013.  Interviews on rolling basis.

Pro Bono Net is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds to apply. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation.