Director of Development

About Freedom of the Press Foundation

Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that protects, defends, and empowers public-interest journalism in the 21st century. The organization works to preserve and strengthen First and Fourth Amendment rights guaranteed to the press through a variety of avenues, including the development of encryption tools, documentation of attacks on the press, training newsrooms on digital security practices, and advocating for the public’s right to know.

Freedom of the Press Foundation is built on the recognition that this kind of transparency journalism — from publishing the Pentagon Papers and exposing Watergate, to uncovering the NSA’s warrantless wiretapping program and CIA secret prisons — doesn’t just happen. It requires dogged work by journalists, and often, the courage of whistleblowers and others who work to ensure that the public actually learns what it has a right to know.

Learn more about Freedom for the Press Foundation at https://freedom.press/.

The Opportunity 

As FPF experiences significant growth — fueled by a major gift in 2023 and the implementation of innovative fundraising strategies such as accepting cryptocurrency starting in 2018 and hosting a successful NFT auction in 2021 — the need for a director of development becomes crucial. This role will help spearhead fundraising efforts, cultivate donor relationships, and leverage emerging technologies to sustain and expand FPF's impact.

Reporting to the vice president of development and operations, the director of development will play a critical role in leading the major gifts program, sustaining existing relationships, and cultivating new partnerships to support FPF’s mission and programs. The ideal candidate will have the capacity to attract gift donations at the five-figure range and above. You will collaborate with the vice president of development and executive director across fundraising efforts and serve as a thoughtful and supportive partner for cultivating and soliciting new and existing donors to increase their philanthropic investment in the organization’s work.

• Develop and implement strategies to identify, solicit, and steward major donors, and effectively articulate compelling cases for support to secure significant financial commitments.
• Create personalized cultivation and solicitation plans for a portfolio of major gift prospects of $10,000-plus and establish and maintain strong relationships with donors to understand their philanthropic interests and motivations.
• Collaborate with the vice president of development and operations, executive director, and other key stakeholders to engage donors and maximize philanthropic support.
• Provide strategic leadership for major gifts fundraising efforts, setting ambitious goals and benchmarks for success.
• Research funding opportunities and collaborate with program staff to ensure alignment between funding priorities and project objectives.
• Assist in the planning and execution of intimate donor events and stewardship initiatives to engage major donors and foster long-term relationships.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions, gift commitments, and fundraising progress using the donor management database.

Candidate Profile

 The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

• Minimum of five years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of personally soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals and institutional donors.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate the organization's mission and impact in a compelling manner.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and project management abilities, with the capacity to develop and execute effective fundraising plans.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, as well as independently, in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment.
• Proficiency in donor management software, Salesforce preferred.
• Bachelor's degree required; CFRE preferred.

*You are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all Freedom of the Press Foundation data and information to which you have access. 

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $120,000 - $140,000. FPF provides health, dental, and vision insurance (via Aetna) at no cost to employees; 20 days of personal time off, in addition to all federal holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year’s;  7 days of paid sick leave; paid parental leave; and a generous 401(k) program. FPF matches your 401(k) contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to 4% of your gross salary. FPF also allocates funds annually for employees to build and maintain their home office, attend conferences, and pursue professional development.

Contact

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Trisha Sutrisno and Shelby Woods. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

FPF is strongly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community. They warmly welcome members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, and people with disabilities.

About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group

Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm's website.