The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation of best practice fundraising knowledge, with a track record of fostering successful long-term relationships with individual donors. They will be a strategic visionary who has keen business acumen, executive level presence and thrive in a fast-paced, creative, results-oriented culture.
Develop and grow short and long-term fundraising goals
- Manage a donor and prospect portfolio of 50-100 prospects with significant capacity and the ability to make high 5-figure, 6, 7 and 8-figure gifts or pledges
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward this portfolio, using moves management tools and fundraising best practices to ensure prospects and donors are moving through the appropriate prospect cycle
- Manage a select group of NPR Foundation Trustees and other key volunteers in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. who are essential to a high functioning fundraising team
- Work to build a more robust pipeline of NPR annual and major gift donors, prospects, champions, and volunteers
Direct, manage and develop a team of 4-5 development staff to evaluate NPR HQ's culture of philanthropy and philanthropic reach
- Manage and mentor 3-5 Individual Giving officers, a writer, and support staff based at NPR HQ and in St. Louis, set individual performance goals and benchmarks, encourage professional development, increase activity and accountability, conduct employee reviews and evaluations, and provide ongoing coaching and training
- Work in partnership with the CDO and Senior Director of Operations to oversee development operations at HQ which includes but is not limited to donor processes, proposals, Raiser’s Edge updates and reports, development policies and procedures to ensure efficacy and efficiency
- Implement and direct best practices in all development functions
Build strong alliances between NPR and Member stations based in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S.
- Collaborate with Member stations on strategies and requests for prospects who support both local and national public radio to encourage stretch gifts or pledges
- Partner with Member stations to host targeted events or receptions to engage donors, prospects, NPR Foundation Trustees, or Member station Board members
- Provide a sounding board for Member stations on all fundraising matters, assist Member stations (to the extent possible or appropriate) with their fundraising aspirations, encourage partnership at all levels
Assist in the planning and implementation of a fundraising campaign
- Work in partnership with the CEO, CDO, and other NPR senior leadership to develop a comprehensive, national campaign for NPR
- Develop work plans and timelines, assess campaign recognition and naming opportunities, outline campaign stewardship strategies, advise on campaign collateral and support materials, conduct select/high touch/high tone campaign donor events, work with Member stations on campaign requests or needs, manage and advise campaign volunteers, Foundation Trustees, etc.
- 10-15 years progressively responsible fundraising experience required (5+ at the management level)
- Proven track record closing significant gifts ($1M+) and major gifts ($100K+)
- Proven skills in managing relationships with high-net worth individuals or funders
- Experience in significant and/or successful fundraising campaigns
- Advanced interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to support, manage and develop a team, and the ability to work closely and professionally with a wide range of constituents, including staff, board members, Member stations, external partners and donors/prospects
- An entrepreneurial spirit and strong appetite to work in a developing philanthropic environment with lots of potential
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and excellent attention to detail
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects, to set and adjust priorities, and work under pressure while maintaining composure and a sense of humor
- Ability to navigate and negotiate the political and institutional landscape around nonprofit journalism
- Ability to understand and speak to federal legislation that influences public broadcasting, specifically public radio
- Demonstrated success creating and tracking operating budgets as well as reporting financial outcomes
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment, meet concurrent deadlines, organize time and priorities, and to do so in collaboration with diverse stakeholders
- Strong commitment to NPR’s code of ethics, standards, and reputation as a nonpartisan public news organization
- An understanding of complex fundraising organizations or federated nonprofit models is preferred
- DC based or willingness to relocate to the DC metro area
- Comfort with extensive travel (40-50%)
NPR offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package including health and wellness benefits, retirement, and work/life balance programs, as well as opportunities for career growth and development.
NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer that affirmatively seeks to hire veterans and people with disabilities. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex or national origin.