Development Manager

The Make the Road Family:

Since 2014, the highly successful Make the Road model - which originated at Make the Road New York (MRNY) - has been replicated in several other states. In four short years, the Make the Road family has grown to five organizations working in working-class Latinx neighborhoods in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and most recently Nevada. Broadly, Make the Road organizations build the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and respect through community organizing, strategic campaigns, policy innovation, and the provision of educational or legal services. Individually, each Make the Road has become a leader in their respective states on issues like immigration, education, and economic justice. Collectively, we represent over 30,000 members and reach thousands more through our actions and followings. We use a shared model and collaborate closely on campaigns, leadership development, and fundraising. The second generation Make the Roads (CT, NJ, NV, PA) are housed in the Center for Popular Democracy.

Center for Popular Democracy:

The Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) promotes equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We currently work with 50 partner organizations in 38 states and Puerto Rico and build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations to envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. CPD is a rapidly-expanding, dynamic organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Development Manager will support the fundraising efforts of the second generation Make the Road organizations in each state (CT, NJ, NV, PA), as well as across the Make the Road family of organizations. The Development Manager will work in close partnership with the Make the Road leads and senior staff in each state, and in coordination with the Center for Popular Democracy and Make the Road New York. The Development Manager will:

●      Prospect fundraising opportunities for each of the four second generation Make the Road states (CT, NJ, NV, PA), providing research on new prospects from local, state, and/or national sources, and developing appropriate strategies for cultivation and solicitation;

●      Prospect opportunities to fund shared work across the Make the Road family of organizations, providing research on new prospects from local, state, and/or national sources, and developing appropriate strategies for cultivation and solicitation;

●      Manage the drafting and submission of new grant proposals, concept papers and letters of interest to private foundations and, on occasion government agencies, independently and in collaboration with state leads and senior staff;

●      Manage the renewal process for existing grants, including maintaining an accurate grant renewal calendar and liaising with foundation staff;

●      Manage the timely submission of grant reports to funders;

●      Organize compelling funder briefings, and coordinate the participation of program staff in other funder events, such as conferences and affinity group meetings;

●      Coordinate the production of fundraising and/or promotional materials for each of the states and for the collective Make the Road family of organizations;

●      Provide support to the senior program staff doing fundraising in each state;

●      Develop and maintain accurate up-to-date grants database system for prospects and awarded grants.

This is a new position, and the specific parameters and responsibilities could shift depending on evolving priorities of the Make the Road family.

The Development Manager will report to the Director of Multi-State Initiatives of the Make the Road family, and will be housed as a hosted position within CPD. The Development Manager can work from of any of the CPD or Make the Road locations (CT, DC, NJ, NV, NY or PA) or remotely.

Qualifications:

●      At least four years of fundraising experience – grant writing experience and foundation sector knowledge preferred

●      Demonstrated ability to raise funds in accordance with the organizational budget

●      Strong verbal and written communication skills, including excellent writing, copy editing and proofreading ability

●      Strong research skills

●      Experience working collaboratively on teams and coordinating multifaceted projects

●      Ability to work independently and take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks under deadline pressure

●      Meticulous organizational skills, ability to prioritize projects and follow through on detail with high-level accuracy

●      Excellent computer skills and working knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications

●      A demonstrated commitment to racial, social, and economic justice and an understanding of the challenges facing immigrant communities, communities of color, and low-and moderate-income families

●      Spanish/English bilingual, or some Spanish language proficiency a plus

Benefits and Salary:

Competitive annual salary based on relevant work experience, education, and other factors. This position includes a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance and 401K.

To Apply:

Make the Road and CPD are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers and seek to ensure equal opportunity and equal treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to race, creed, religion, color, citizenship, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, gender identity, genetic information and sexual orientation, in all employment decisions including but not limited to hiring, compensation, benefits, training, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

To apply please send a resume and cover letter to Hilary Klein, Make the Road Director of Multi-State Initiatives: Hilary.Klein@MakeTheRoadStates.org and please put “Application: Make the Road Development Manager” in the subject line of the email.

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