Director Of Development

Organizational Background

VOCAL-US is a national organization, and the infrastructure hub for the VOCAL family of state-based organizations in New York, Kentucky, and Texas.

Founded in 1999, VOCAL-NY is a statewide membership organization that builds power among low-income people affected by HIV/AIDS, the drug war, mass incarceration, and homelessness in order to create healthy and just communities. We accomplish this through community organizing, leadership development, advocacy, direct services, participatory research and direct action.

VOCAL-US was founded in 2022, and launched its first expansion project VOCAL-Kentucky that same year. VOCAL-Texas launched in September 2023.

Position Description

The Director of Development is responsible for leading the organization’s development initiatives and securing funding and resources for VOCAL’s ambitious and transformative social justice campaigns and harm reduction services. This includes working closely with the Co-Executive Directors, and State Directors on developing and implementing a fundraising strategy for state-based chapters in New York, Kentucky, and Texas. The vast majority of this role (80%) will focus on fundraising for our largest chapter VOCAL-NY.

The ideal candidate will be a strong writer, an excellent communicator, and be able to handle a foundation portfolio with ease. You are organized and pay attention to the details, and will have no problem tracking deadlines and maintaining consistent communication with funders. You know how to plan a successful event, and you’re not afraid to talk to anyone about the work of VOCAL and can do so with pride.

You are eager to grow your own skill set, and build out a fundraising team and plan at VOCAL that includes both staff and members. You’re entrepreneurial and willing to try new tactics to raise money and implement creative ideas. You are deeply committed to the mission of VOCAL and are motivated by seeing your efforts fund grassroots campaigns that build power & provide care for some of the most marginalized communities in the country.

Job Responsibilities:

On an ongoing basis regular duties include the following:

Institutional Fundraising: Research grant opportunities to identify sources of potential funding. Cultivate & maintain relationships with foundation staff. Manage grants calendar and track grant development and progress. Support writing & editing of LOIs, proposals and grant reports. Work with Co-Executive Directors and State Directors on foundation strategy and approach.
Individual Fundraising: Develop and manage individual donor campaigns (e.g., major donors, ongoing donations, matching gifts). Build relationships with individual donors to increase giving & expand donor base. Work closely with the Development staff to track donor data, and maintain internal systems for acknowledgements, thank you’s, and donor cultivation as needed.
Special events: Responsible for the coordination of the VOCAL-NY annual gala and other fundraising/friendraising events and project management of invitations, food, programming, and other logistics for the event.
External Communications: Responsible for producing a variety of organizational communication documents, such as the annual report, fundraising appeals, etc.
Project Management & Supervision: Facilitate regular team meetings with executive, program, and development staff to move forward fundraising strategies and special projects. Establish deadlines, delegate tasks, and evaluate success. Supervise and support the Development Coordinator.

Requirements / Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have:

Minimum of 7 years of fundraising experience, and demonstrated success in securing $3M+ in annual funding from private foundations, government grants, and individuals.
Excellent verbal, written, research and interpersonal skills.
Ability to passionately and effectively communicate with funders about VOCAL-NY’s work.
Willingness to work in a fast-paced and flexible environment.
Attention to detail and strong proofreading skills is a must.
A strong commitment to teamwork and to working with and promoting the leadership of people directly affected by the issues we work on.
Excellent organizational skills.
Proficiency with common business software (e.g. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email clients). Fundraising database programs is a plus.
Understanding of and passion for VOCAL-NY’s mission.

This is a full-time position . The position will report to the Co-Executive Director and work closely with other members of the leadership team.

We prefer this position to be filled by someone who is based in the NYC-area, and is willing to work a hybrid schedule, coming into our office in Brooklyn 2-3 days a week. However, for the right candidate we are willing to consider a full-time remote position based anywhere in the United States.