Director of Development

About the Opportunity:

The Tyler Clementi Foundation, a small and growing, national nonprofit organization seeks an accomplished and enterprising fundraising professional. Reporting to the CEO, the Development Director will lead a rapidly scaling and sustainable fundraising program. The Tyler Clementi Foundation seeks a coordinated, strategic individual with compelling presentation skills and broad-based development expertise.

The successful candidate must demonstrate remarkable abilities in management, organization, communications (oral and written) event management, and other areas related to fundraising. The Development Director will be responsible for achieving assigned annual revenue goals through the generation of increased and new major gifts and the ongoing cultivation of annual donors and loyal patrons. The ideal candidate should have 5+ years of successful fundraising experience and unique interpersonal capabilities to help board members leverage their relationships and uncover new donors.

This individual will manage all aspects of organizational fundraising and donor development; produce and maintain annual campaign materials and data, coordinate special events, committees, and volunteers, prospecting, online fundraising, giving circles, and manage the grants program. Sales and marketing and/or non-profit management experience is a plus. Proficiency in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint are a must. Knowledge of CRM system is essential.

Organizational Overview:

The Tyler Clementi Foundation (TCF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded by Joseph and Jane Clementi to end bullying through inclusion, assertion of dignity, and acceptance, in order to honor the memory of their son Tyler Clementi.

In 2010, Tyler’s death became a global news story, highlighting the impact and consequences of bullying, harassment, and humiliation, while sparking a dialogue among parents, teachers, and students across the country. Tyler’s story also linked to broader issues affecting youth and families such as LGBTQ inequality, safety in schools, youth in crisis, higher education support systems, and cyberbullying.

Through programs like the Upstander Pledge, #Day1, the Upstander Speaker Series, and Tyler’s Suite, as well as advocacy for the federal Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, the Tyler Clementi Foundation empowers individuals, groups, and institutions to take a stand against bullying and to create safe spaces where individuals embrace diversity.

Tyler Clementi Foundation’s Mission:

To end online and offline bullying in schools, workplaces, and faith communities.  

The Position:

TCF is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Development to oversee

all philanthropic fundraising efforts. Reporting to the Co-Founder and CEO, this position is responsible for leading and expanding a development program that will be responsible for generating over $1 million in revenue in FY22-23. The majority of Tyler Clementi Foundation’s revenue comes from private foundations, special events, corporate sponsorship, and a small but committed base of individual donors with potential for expansion.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Development

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to development infrastructure, activities, programs, and staff/volunteers to ensure continued growth and sustainability
• Develop and implement strategies for expanding financial support, including prospecting, networking to identify/build known connections to funders, and relationship building
• Bring new ideas, approaches, and perspectives – based both on previous success and on continuous learning/engagement – to stay on top of emerging trends and best practices, including fundraising online
• Explore and lead efforts to diversify funding streams and sources in support of Tyler Clementi Foundation’s programs and mission

Revenue Generation

• Manage existing corporate sponsors/funders and develop new partners capable of providing major gifts to meet and/or exceed our funding goals
• Oversee foundation grant proposal development, writing, submission, reporting, and relationship building
• Identify and cultivate individual and major donors to grow donor base and total revenue via direct mail, digital outreach, and in-person relationship building
• Lead and/or support fundraising events, including Tyler Clementi Foundation’s annual Upstander Legacy Celebration and 3rd party events supported by community partners

Relationship Management (internal and external)

• Work in close collaboration with Tyler Clementi Foundation’s CEO, Board of Trustees, and Board Advisory Council to ensure a coordinated and strategic approach to fundraising efforts/activities and relationship building
• Represent Tyler Clementi Foundation at external events, in public forums, and at professional conferences, as required
• Enhance our growth with a national network of individual and major donors through direct and online outreach, events, and other stewardship activities

Staff Supervision

• Provide leadership and day-to-day management of future staff, to-be-hired Development Associate/Manager, as well as volunteers and/or interns, including supervision and professional development
• Coach Board members and staff to develop/improve fundraising comfort and expertise across the organization

Financial/Administrative Oversight

• Help ensure that timelines for grant applications and necessary reports are met
• Ensure accurate and meaningful reporting on existing and new grants that maximize renewals and additional opportunities for foundation funding
• Play a key role, in partnership with the CEO, in assessing TCF’s needs and assuring that it is positioned to meet budget and fundraising goals

While no single candidate is likely to have equal expertise in all the above categories, successful candidates will have a compelling combination of strengths in many of them and the self-awareness and wisdom to leverage other resources in the area(s) where she/he/they lack personal mastery.

While all employees of the Tyler Clementi Foundation currently work remotely, the Director of Development position comes with expectations to be present for the majority of our fundraising events.  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree or equivalent professional/lived experience welcomed
• Minimum of 5+ years’ experience in nonprofit development as a fundraiser, including experience as manager/supervisor
• Exceptional writing and editing skills
• Familiar with fundraising and communications software
• Ability to handle multiple projects and work independently
• Strong project management abilities, organized, able to multitask, administer multiple projects, and meet deadlines
• Adherence to the highest ethical standards with the ability to maintain the strictest of confidentiality and act with discretion and diplomacy
• Ability to build and work in cross-functional teams

BENEFITS:

Salary commensurate with experience.
Generous benefits include:

• 5 Weeks PTO (combined sick and vacation) per year
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Medical/dental/vision coverage available
• 401K retirement plan available
• Commuter benefits available
• Life insurance (including spouse supplemental) is available
• Short- and long-term disability insurance available

Please send a resume with a thoughtful cover letter to hr@tylerclementi.org with "Director of Development" in the subject line. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We thank you for your interest in employment opportunities with the Tyler Clementi Foundation. Due to the high volume, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Tyler Clementi Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. We especially encourage members of historically underrepresented communities to apply, including LGBTQ people, women, people of color, and people with disabilities. Please read our Diversity Statement: https://tylerclementi.org/diversity-statement/