Philanthropy Officer

Who you are:

The Philanthropy Officer is responsible for building and managing an emerging portfolio with the potential to make five and six figure investments in the work of Vera Institute of Justice, with a specific focus on philanthropic communities on the east coast of the United States. The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial and adaptive fundraiser with the ability to identify, cultivate, and solicit high potential philanthropists. The Philanthropy Officer should have experience in managing individual donor relationships on a one-to-one or one-to-many basis and a knowledge of high net worth funding communities on the east coast.  

What you'll do:

Donor portfolio management 

• Take on and elevate a portfolio of donors with the ability to increase their philanthropic investments in the mission of Vera Institute 
• Facilitate and coordinate all communication with assigned portfolio and among Vera principals engaged in donor’s relationship to Vera 
• Execute a robust discovery churn to upgrade contributions 
• Partner with Vera principals to develop and expand funding relationships 

Interact with internal contacts to formulate strategies to promote prospect engagement  

• Execute donor meetings in partnership with Vera program staff 
• Work with program staff to support donor engagement events 
• Staff cultivation events within the eastern US 
• Collaborate on the strategy for and creation of persuasive written communications relevant and appropriate to programmatic priorities and donor interests 

Strategy Development 

• Serve as a thought partner to the Director of Principal Gifts in the creation of east coast major gift plan and the development of the east coast pipeline 
• Collaborate with development colleagues on the creation of major gifts departmental infrastructure, development event creation, and prospect research  

What qualifications are we looking for?

• Degree + 6 - 9 years of relevant experience. In lieu of degree requirement, applicable work or life experience may be considered. 
• 3 years of portfolio management experience and/or direct donor relationship management experience  

Preferred: 

• Familiarity with Community Centric Fundraising principles 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring: 

• Experience developing and executing sound donor strategies to secure five and six figure gifts and experience securing gifts from prospects 
• Competency creating donor strategies using best practices in donor moves management 
• Experience planning and executing donor visit trips and events preferred. 
• Outstanding oral, written, communication, and presentation skills – including ability to listen and target communication to specific interests of varied audiences 
• Comfort in online fundraising toolsets and databases 
• Strong organizational and project management skills 
• Experience qualifying and disqualifying prospects using research and instincts 
• Proven ability to build deep and lasting relationships with a variety of partners – both internal and external 
• Gravitas paired with the professional integrity and ambition to effectively represent and promote Vera externally at the highest levels 
• A motivated team player with exceptional communications skills along with interpersonal savvy 
• Impeccable discretion above all else

Additional components:

• Driver’s license preferable  
• Ability to travel 25 – 40% of the time 

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $122,000 - $127,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time.  To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, click here.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People Resources / Philanthropy Officer
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

As a federal contractor, and in order to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, Vera Institute of Justice is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine before their start date. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

Vera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. 

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org