Head of Development and Donor Relations

Job Description

January 2025 

The Lenfest Institute of Journalism: Head of Development and Donor Relations 

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism seeks a full-time Head of Development and Donor Relations to lead the Institute’s rapidly growing fundraising program, building on the strength and talent of the Institute’s Board, its leadership, and a growing staff team. This is a spectacular opportunity to work in a fast-paced and flexible environment, alongside leaders who possess a solutions mindset, fueled by a mission that propels them forward. Much more than an opportunity to raise philanthropic contributions from a wide variety of local and national constituents, this is an opportunity to help reinvent local news in the Philadelphia region and across the country with a team of dedicated individuals. 

Position Summary: 

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer and working closely with the Executive Director, the Head of Development and Donor Relations is responsible for growing a comprehensive and sustainable fundraising program. They develop and execute the fundraising strategy, securing and growing philanthropic partnerships, ensuring strong donor relations, implementing engagement initiatives, and soliciting and stewarding philanthropic gifts of all sizes to benefit the local and national programs and objectives of the Institute and The Philadelphia Inquirer. They direct the team in developing annual goals and fundraising plans to achieve those goals and provide leadership and support for the Institute’s Advancement Committee, maximizing the involvement of the Board and other key volunteers. 

The primary responsibilities include: 

Development Program Leadership 

•  Develop, lead, and direct the annual giving program for both restricted and unrestricted gifts for individual and institutional donors, including all solicitations, acknowledgements, recognition, events, and delivery of benefits. 
• Working with the staff and Board, develop strategies for fundraising campaigns at the Institute and The Inquirer, including major gifts and community giving. 
• Oversee and implement a comprehensive donor management system for donors and prospects, including oversight of moves management and portfolio management; create and implement specialized stewardship plans for major donors and special gifts.

Donor Engagement and Solicitation 

• Lead major gift prospecting and execution for annual, endowment, and planned gifts, including institutional and individual donors and prospects. 
• Lead fundraising and engagement efforts for the Lenfest Council, ensuring its continued growth and stewardship. 
• Oversee community giving campaigns for The Inquirer and the Institute. 
• Implement or manage all solicitations, including annual appeals, major gift asks, grants and donor presentations. 
• Cultivate and sustain committed relationships with a prioritized portfolio of donors and prospects; identify, cultivate and secure support from new individual, corporate, and foundation prospects. 
• Work collaboratively across the organization, partnering with program staff to engage donors and report on the impact of restricted gifts. 
• Ensure appropriate stewardship plans are in place for major donors and special gifts and successfully execute those plans. 
• Provide support to the Executive Director, Chief Advancement Officer, and any staff and Board members in stewarding and soliciting their portfolios. 

Department and Organizational Management and Administration 

• Manage staff and consultants working on various campaigns; ensure hiring is made through equitable practices. 
• Develop and manage the fundraising expense budget. Develop and oversee standards, procedures and tools that enable best practices in acknowledgement, recognition, and reporting for annual and endowment fundraising. 
• Maintain Salesforce database, including donor records; serve as the liaison to the CFO on gift processing and financial reporting. 

Organizational Responsibilities 

• Serve as a key member of the Institute senior team and collaborate regularly with internal departments, consultants, partners and other stakeholders. 
• Attend Board meetings and work closely with Board committees on goals and direction of fundraising activities and initiatives. 
• Collaborate across the organization to identify key Institute and Inquirer programs and projects for funding.
•  Represent the Institute in convenings, meetings, and forums for the benefit of local news and fundraising as an industry practice. 
• Provide and promote a positive institutional culture featuring teamwork, accountability, resourcefulness and a commitment to excellence; engage team members in development and advancement. 

Job Requirements

Experience and Qualifications: 

The ideal candidate is an organized and self-motivated team member with a proven track record in fundraising. Things we look for in an ideal candidate: 

• At least 10-years of experience leading teams and producing results. 
• Excellent writing, presentation, and public speaking skills. 
• Familiarity with the local news industry, its challenges and opportunities. 
• A mission-driven person, who cares about local news, innovation and democracy and is committed to equity in all aspects of the work. 
•  Exceptional interpersonal skills, including being comfortable facilitating group meetings, and a natural curiosity to learn about people from a variety of backgrounds. 
• Ability to work with funders on ideas in cooperation with the Institute’s programs team. 
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and work with various stakeholders and contractors. 
• Familiarity with using digital tools to stay organized, communicate transparently, and collaborate with team members remotely. 
• A great collaborator who works well with communications, finance, operations, programming and others. 
• A person who takes initiative. 

Employment Details 

The Lenfest Institute’s office is located in Philadelphia, PA. Our staff currently works on a hybrid schedule with staff working in the office once per week on Wednesdays. We will prioritize candidates 

from the greater Philadelphia region but will also consider remote candidates from anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic or Northeast regions who can easily travel to Philadelphia on a weekly basis. This job may also include travel to conferences and other Institute events. The salary range for this position is $160,000-$180,000. 

The Institute provides a comprehensive benefits package including: 

● 23 days of paid time off, plus 10 corporate holidays, sick time, and a winter break the last week of the calendar year 

● Medical, dental and vision benefits 

● Retirement plan with generous employer contribution 

● Paid parental leave 

● Employer-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term insurance policies 

● Professional development opportunities 
 

• About The Lenfest Institute for Journalism 

  The Lenfest Institute for Journalism is a unique nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to build sustainable business models for local journalism, with the guiding belief that quality news and information is essential to a healthy, just, vibrant democracy. 

  The Lenfest Institute delivers training and support programs, provides grant funding and synthesizes best practices to develop and disseminate sustainable solutions to the business challenges facing local news providers. Our four core focus areas are: The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia news media ecosystem, Pennsylvania, and national solutions for local news. See www.LenfestInstitute.org for more information on the Institute’s grants, programs, mission, and impact. 

  The Lenfest Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to apply so we can build a team that reflects the diversity of news organizations and journalism professionals we wish to serve. We view diversity as multi-dimensional, encompassing race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, ability, class, geography, veteran status, lived experiences, and more.
  
  APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH FRIDAY 2/21/25

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