Ithaca Welcomes Refugees (IWR) is seeking a half-time Development Director to work with a vibrant and diverse volunteer team on the development of this small but growing organization. The IWR Development Director should have a personal commitment to the goals and objectives of IWR.
About Ithaca Welcomes Refugees (IWR): IWR is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that partners with newly arrived refugees and immigrants as they rebuild their lives in Tompkins County. IWR began as an all-volunteer organization and now has a small, part-time staff. Up to this point, development duties have been filled by volunteers and the Executive Director, and communications duties have been filled by volunteers. IWR currently receives county funding, grant monies from local community foundations, and contributions from private donors. Volunteers and other staff will continue to provide development and communications support to the person who takes on this role. IWR’s work environment is defined by teamwork. We strive to contribute to other staff and volunteer efforts, to lift one another up, and to re-prioritize when needed, in service of helping our new neighbors realize their resettlement goals.
About the Development Director position
To empower Ithaca Welcomes Refugees to carry out our mission-driven work, the Development Director will obtain funds from existing sources, expand IWR’s funding from grants and private donors, and create external communications regarding activities and needs of IWR and the newcomers we serve to the community. This position reports to the Executive Director.
This is a half-time, non-exempt, 20-hour-per-week position with an hourly rate of pay of $30-35, depending on experience. IWR requires that all personnel having direct contact with IWR clients and/or donors undergo a background check through our vendor, including this position. This is a hybrid remote/in-person position. Most work can be performed from home but most meetings will occur in person. The person filling this position can make their own schedule as long as they can find common meeting times with staff and volunteers, often on weekday mornings. Paid time off benefits are included.
Duties
- Grants:
- Identify grant opportunities that expand IWR’s funding
- Write and submit grant applications and reports in collaboration with the Executive Director
- Publicly acknowledge grant funders (e.g., write press releases, incorporate acknowledgements into other public communications)
- Private Donors:
- Draft twice annual mailers (spring and year-end), with support and direction from Executive Director and development volunteers
- Cultivate and manage donor relationships (e.g., outreach to expand donor pool, personalized communication with existing donors)
- Ensure donors receive tax receipts and donation acknowledgements
- Communications
- Create or assign mission-driven content for IWR’s blog
- Proofread content created for IWR’s website, blog, and newsletter
- Schedule content for IWR’s newsletter and publish the newsletter monthly
- Assign content to Communications volunteers to post to IWR’s social media accounts
- Lead IWR’s efforts to meet annual fundraising goals
- Plan a small number (1-2 annually) of fundraising and/or community events, with support from staff and volunteers
- Other assignments and tasks as needed
Required qualifications
- Compassion and sensitivity
- Commitment to IWR’s mission, and to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Ability to work independently
- Excellent communication and organization skills
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of refugee client and donor information
- English fluency
- Computer literacy
Experience
Required experience:
- Grant-writing experience
- Experience writing for publication
Preferred experience:
- Prior experience working in a development capacity for a nonprofit organization
- Familiarity with donor databases
- Prior experience working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds
How to apply
We welcome individuals who are passionate about helping refugees in Tompkins County to apply for the Development Director position. IWR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals with lived experience as a refugee or immigrant are strongly encouraged to apply. Please submit a cover letter and resume to IWR Executive Director Casey Verderosa at caseyv@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org. We look forward to
hearing from you.