Arena Careers

Have you worked in political fundraising over the past 3-4 cycles, and you’re tired of the same relentless grind to only see the candidates you help elect make slow progress?? Would you like to join a small, yet fast-growing organization that runs ballot measure campaigns bringing economic and social justice to millions of hardworking families? The Fairness Project’s development team is looking for a Deputy Development Director to help manage our fundraising programs and build on our growing success.

About the Fairness Project

While Congress and state legislatures nationwide remain paralyzed by partisan disagreement, ballot measures provide a path forward for improving millions of lives. The Fairness Project (TFP) incubates, funds, and provides strategic and technical assistance to statewide and municipal ballot measure campaigns and drives the national narrative to elevate the role of direct democracy in progressive change-making. Through ballot measures, TFP offers voters the opportunity to do what politicians cannot or will not: take direct action to enact sound policy and change their own lives.

Since 2015, TFP has racked up 33 wins – and very few losses. Our wins have delivered measurable, life-changing impacts for more than 23 million people. You can read more about our work here.

About the Position

The Deputy Development Director will play an integral role in nearly all Development Department functions. Reporting to the Development Director and also working closely with the Fairness Project’s Executive Director, this position encompasses both operational management and direct fundraising. The Deputy Development Director is responsible for managing all internal Development Department operations and will also have their own portfolio of individual donors to recruit and maintain.

Management of Development Department Operations

• Project manage key workflows within the Department, including tracking timelines for major decisions & deliverables, drafting agendas for internal meetings, and identifying follow-up items;
• Create and maintain the stewardship calendar for the Development Department, including key activities that will reach all donors/prospects and donor-specific timelines for renewals & outreach;
• Draft (or update) all written materials for donors (campaign update memos, newsletters, issue-specific collateral, updates to reports/graphics/slide decks) and manage associated internal approval processes;
• Serve as the main point of contact with compliance and accounting teams;
• Lead all logistics for TFP-sponsored fundraising events, both in person and virtual;
• Track all donations to TFP in donor CRM;
• Project manage grant applications and grant reports, including tracking when reports/applications are due and leading initial drafting;

Mid-Level Donor Portfolio

In addition to any donors they cultivate themselves, the Deputy Development Director will be the primary point of contact for the Fairness Project’s mid-level donors. Some of this donor maintenance will overlap with the broader stewardship activities described above, but it will also require individual communication and follow-up tailored to specific donors.

Support Major Gifts Fundraising

Major gifts fundraising is led by the Development Director with the support of the Deputy Development Director. This support may include:

• Briefing the Executive Director prior to meetings with new donors;

• Staff donor meetings attended by the Executive Director, Development Director, or board, as needed, including occasional travel.

Support Development Department Strategic Planning

The Deputy Development Director will be a key thought partner to the Development Director in identifying opportunities and overcoming challenges for the Fairness Project’s fundraising. Together they will:

• Set and regularly re-evaluate fundraising goals, priorities & strategies;
• Identify creative fundraising opportunities;
• Identify & respond to the needs of our donors and prospects;
• Collaborate across departments within the Fairness Project to tailor fundraising approaches to upcoming campaigns and communications moments;
• Engage with Board Members to maximize their contributions to fundraising activities.