Description

The Maryland Center on Economic Policy (MDCEP) seeks a talented Director of Development to plan and implement a development strategy that ensures the long-term sustainability of the organization. MDCEP has a dynamic vision for program growth and impact that requires the expansion and diversification of its revenue streams. The Director of Development will report directly to the CEO, works closely with the Vice President of External Relations, and collaborates with MDCEP staff, consultants, and its Board of Directors.  

Successful applicants will be resourceful, strategic, and creative, with a strong track record of relationship building, strong writing experience, and ability to thrive in an environment of collaboration and innovation. In addition to outstanding fundraising, writing, and tactical skills, MDCEP seeks someone with a deep commitment to racial, gender, and economic justice, and the organization’s core priorities around taxes, government budgets, and economic policy. 

Core Duties and Responsibilities 

Development Strategy

• Represent MDCEP with donors and at periodic donor and funder events; prepare CEO and staff for donor and foundation calls, meetings, and presentations
• Research prospects, manage relationships, and develop strategies, to support and grow MDCEP’s local and national funders, major donors, and institutional partners to sustain and increase funding for our mission
• Manage MDCEP’s donor pipeline and grants calendar and create and implement annual fundraising communications calendar
• Manage direct mail program, including drafting print and digital appeals, pulling mailing lists, and working with mail house to send out solicitations 

Foundation Giving (roughly 60%) 

• In partnership with MDCEP leadership, analysts, and a grantwriting consultant, compose timely LOIs, proposals, and grant reports
• Work with analysts to ensure grant budgets reflect project needs and that grant agreement goals are met, as stipulated in mutually agreed upon proposals
• Develop compelling messaging and implement strategies for consistent, clear communication with existing and prospective foundation partners 

Individual and Institutional Giving (roughly 25%) 

• Develop a plan for CEO and staff “touch” points with individual donors and institutional partners such as unions or businesses
• Solicit gifts and support the CEO and Board Members in solicitations
• Develop compelling messaging and implement strategies for consistent, clear communication with existing and prospective donors 

Development Operations (roughly 10%) 

• Work with finance team to develop and track grant budgets and financial reporting, track awarded dollars and ensure proper invoicing for pledge payments, and track and report individual and institutional donations
• Work with the finance team to ensure compliance with charitable solicitation certifications, cash-handling, gift processing, etc., and manage MDCEP’s Little Green Light fundraising database for gift entry, pledge payment reminders, timely tax receipts, mailing lists, gift reports, etc.
• Work with MDCEP leadership to contribute to annual budgeting for the organization, forecast and track cash and revenue, assist with annual audit, provide fundraising reports to the Board of Directors, and manage board engagement in development activities
• Work with the communications team to keep relevant web pages current, periodically assist with social media, and send and track email outreach via MailChimp 

Events Management (roughly 5%) 

• Secure event locations for occasional (maybe 1-2 per year) in-person events and coordinate all event logistics, including event budgets, vendors, graphic design and printing of invitations, program, sponsorship materials, and day-of coordination; maintain invitation lists, guest lists, ticket sales, and secure event revenue from ticket sales, donations, and sponsorship
• Work with Vice President of External Relations to coordinate e-invitations, online donations, website advertising, blog posts, newsletter articles, and any video content
• Conduct any event followup, including surveys, donor stewardship, and sponsorship impact reports 

Requirements

Qualifications and Competencies  

• Demonstrated success in fundraising and revenue growth, with a proven track record of finding new grants, securing major gifts, expanding donor pipelines, and consistently increasing organizational budgets through strategic development initiatives.
• Ability to build and sustain robust, authentic, productive working relationships with colleagues, including external partners and key stakeholders, across race and other group identities
• Excellent writing, editing, and organizational skills, and the ability to communicate in compelling ways to a wide range of stakeholders about the importance of policy change, racial and ethnic equity, and advocacy campaigns
• Commitment to advancing antiracism, equity, and inclusion through policies and programs
• Keen awareness of multiple group identities and their attendant dynamics and ability to consistently bring a high level of self-awareness, empathy, and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions
• Ability to manage up to organizational leadership, including the CEO and Board of Directors
• Experience with CRM tools, website, and email platforms; fluency in Microsoft Office; experience working with Little Green Light, WordPress, and MailChimp preferred
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent and five years of experience. Graduate education can count for no more than two years of experience.