MLFA is hiring a Director of Development (DoD). They will be responsible for significantly expanding the quality and size of MLFA’s prospect pool while leading all external fundraising efforts. This role will be central to growing MLFA’s private philanthropy efforts nationwide, requiring extensive travel to cultivate donor relationships, develop strategic initiatives, and drive the organization’s fundraising activities. The DoD will manage a portfolio of approximately 65 high-value donors and prospects while supporting the leadership team with the stewardship of the organization’s top-tier donors. Additionally, the DoD will oversee Development staff and contribute as a key member of the executive board’s fundraising committee.
Full Job Description
Classification: Exempt
Reports to: CEO of MLFA
ABOUT MLFA
The Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) is a 501 (c) 3 community-centric, grassroots non-profit organization. Established in 2001 to protect the civil liberties of Muslims in America from flagrant abuses of power by federal agencies and unconstitutional targeting of American Muslims. Over twenty years of unwarranted government surveillance raids, the freezing of Muslim nonprofit’s assets (without any evidence to substantiate support of nefarious activity), has caused great financial, social, and psychological turmoil for American-Muslim civil society.
MLFA serves to educate, protect and defend the rights of the American Muslim community and others facing discrimination by engaging in litigation, national security injunctions and nonprofit screenings, training and consultations. Through litigating cases MLFA aims to set legal precedent and create “good law”.
Our service over fees model ensures that with each case we accept, we are serving our entire nation.
JOB SUMMARY
The Director of Development (DoD) is responsible for significantly expanding the quality and size of MLFA’s prospect pool while leading all external fundraising efforts. This role will be central to growing MLFA’s private philanthropy efforts nationwide, requiring extensive travel to cultivate donor relationships, develop strategic initiatives, and drive the organization’s fundraising activities. The DoD will manage a portfolio of approximately 65 high-value donors and prospects while supporting the leadership team with the stewardship of the organization’s top-tier donors. Additionally, the DoD will oversee Development staff and contribute as a key member of the executive board’s fundraising committee.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Strategic Donor Cultivation and Management: Build and manage a portfolio of 65 major donors and prospects capable of contributing $10,000 or more.
- Develop and execute strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward these donors effectively.
- Fundraising Planning and Execution: Design and implement comprehensive fundraising initiatives, including annual campaigns, regional events, donor appeals, major gift programs, monthly donor programs, planned giving, and stewardship activities.
- Leadership and Collaboration: Serve as an active member of the executive board’s fundraising committee, contributing to strategy development and offering insights on fundraising efforts.
- Collaborate with the Executive Director, Marketing, Board members, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Staff Development and Training: Lead and mentor Development staff through regular training, knowledge-sharing sessions, and professional development opportunities.
- Prospect Database Management: Oversee and ensure the accuracy and timely updating of donor strategies, contacts, and outcomes in the prospect management database.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
- 50% – Donor Portfolio Management: Cultivate relationships and manage a pipeline of major gift prospects, executing tailored strategies for solicitation and stewardship.
- 25% – Strategic Planning: Develop and maintain a long- and short-term fundraising strategy to increase the size and quality of the donor pool. Coordinate activities across central units, including the Executive Director and other teams.
- 10% – Organizational Representation: Collaborate with interdepartmental teams and provide regular updates to the Executive Director and Board.
- 10% – Staff Training and Development: Provide comprehensive training to Development staff on fundraising protocols, systems, and professional skills.
- 5% – Data Integrity: Maintain and oversee updates to the donor database to ensure accurate and actionable records.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience: At least four years of individual gift fundraising experience, including cultivating and soliciting gifts of $10,000 or more. Proven track record of leading successful fundraising and marketing campaigns.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong time management and organizational skills.
- Comprehensive understanding of fundraising principles, including prospect cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving, personal assets, and estates.
- Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, volunteers, faculty, administrators, and trustees.
- Experience working independently and collaboratively across teams.
- Willingness to travel for donor cultivation, with a goal of conducting 140 face-to-face visits annually.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Primarily indoor office setting with consistent travel across the country.
- Frequent use of computers and standard office equipment.
- Moderate noise levels.
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this position is $95,000 – $120,000, commensurate with experience. This is a full-time exempt position, ideally based out of Dallas, TX, though applications from candidates across the U.S. will be considered.
Ready to join our team? Contact MLFA’s HR consultant [email protected] or CEO [email protected] for more information.
