The Democratic Socialists of America is a member-run socialist organization with more than 280 groups nationwide engaged in movement-building, public education, direct action, advocacy, and electoral politics. Our immediate goal is to build working-class power against the capitalist class while advancing transformative reforms like a Green New Deal, supporting a robust labor movement, electing socialists to office, and shifting the public framing around capitalism and democratic socialism. DSA is a “big tent,” multi-tendency organization that welcomes everyone committed to democracy and socialism.
The Development Director is responsible for leading strategic fundraising initiatives to drive organizational growth. They coordinate staff, volunteers, and resources to meet annual objectives and multi-year fundraising goals. Managing diverse fundraising channels, including direct response, digital, events, and face-to-face interactions, is central to their role. They develop grassroots fundraising infrastructure, nurture a robust monthly donor program, and cultivate donor relationships while supporting major donor fundraising efforts. Additionally, they optimize fundraising strategies through data insights and vendor management.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Develop an integrated plan across the organization and coordinate staff and volunteers to meet annual objectives and set multi-year fundraising goals
Manage the fundraising calendar (direct response letters, digital, phone, events, face to face) in coordination with communications, organizing and other DSA staff
Build infrastructure for member to member fundraising and retention at the grassroots level
Manage monthly donor program (over 20,000 contributors), including conducting ongoing increase campaigns
Manage digital recruitment and email acquisition programs
Manage direct mail appeals for internal and external fundraising, including list exchange opportunities
Draft and edit fundraising appeals and supporting materials
Cultivate and steward the existing donor portfolio for 1:1 solicitations, focused on individual and planned gifts
Support board of directors (for 501c3) in moves management and individual major donor fundraising
Assess and prioritize current fundraising strategies to increase pipeline of mid-level and major donors
Manage vendors, including our digital fundraising consultant, mail house, printer, and phone bankers
Work with Data and Tech staff on maximizing our database’s potential for timely relationship-management, tracking responses to ensure we hit engagement goals and recording call notes to track moves management
Manage the implementation of decisions and strategic plans, such as bylaws amendments, as voted on by the membership of DSA at biannual National Conventions, and through interim decisions made by the NPC.
Ensure the board has timely and accurate information to make decisions and govern the organization.
Other duties on an as needed basis
Qualifications
At least 5 years of managerial position, preferably in a senior level position, within development, fundraising, or related fields.
Demonstrated working knowledge of development principles, practices, and strategies, with experience across diverse funding sources and jurisdictions.
Demonstrated experience of successfully managing a stratified team, including developing and retaining at least 5 individuals at one time and project managing work.
High level of accountability, responsibility, and dependability.
Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced development environment, adapting strategies to changing donor landscapes and organizational needs.
Commitment to democratic socialist, feminist, anti-racist, anti-ableist, anti-heterosexist and pro-worker action, and identify as a socialist and be grounded in democratic socialist politics; general agreement with the positions and perspectives of DSA and YDSA.
Preferred
Experience in an unionized workplace and the demonstrated ability to balance the needs of the organization, a non-traditional leadership structure, and a collective bargaining agreement.
Organizing experience in a political and/or labor organization (professional or volunteer).
Reports to: National Political Committee
**Work Schedule: **Full-time
**Location: **Remote, preferably in NYC Tri-state area
Salary: $86,000 exempt + Cost of Living adjustment depending on residence.
**Benefits: **We offer employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their spouse/partner and/or dependent children, and three weeks of vacation in the first year of employment, then four weeks each year thereafter. Employee contribution equivalent to 1% of wage to a 401k.
Application Deadline: June 7th, 2024
Democratic Socialists of America will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of their job if doing so does not result in undue hardship. If you are in need of accommodations during the application process or interview, please contact jobswithdsa@dsausa.org.
No phone calls or recruiters, please.
Democratic Socialists of America is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a staff that reflects the working class. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, DREAMers, as well as members of the LGBTQ communities.