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Full and part-time positions

Associate Director/ Officer - Major Gifts.

In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection and advocacy organization, is seeking an Associate Director/ Officer - Major Gifts. The mission of IDA is to defend the rights, welfare, and habitats of animals. From rescuing, giving sanctuary and providing veterinary care to abused and abandoned animals in rural Mississippi; to chimpanzee victims of the bush meat trade in Cameroon, Africa; to street animals of Mumbai, India; to fighting the South Korean dog and cat meat trade; to protecting our nation's wild horses; to our campaigns against the puppy mills, vivisection, fur industry; to our campaign on behalf of elephants in zoos and circuses - IDA is a recognized leader in the advancement of animal rights and welfare and for advocating the protection for animals in their habitats.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Associate Director/ Officer - Major Gifts is responsible for building and implementing major donor development strategies for a major gifts program. The Associate Director/ Officer - Major Gifts will work closely with IDA’s Development Department, especially Director of Planned Giving and the Executive Director in developing strategies and opportunities for major gift donors and planned gift donors. The candidate will be responsible for the identification, cultivation, personal solicitation and stewardship of 75-100 existing and prospective major donors with a capability of over $100,000 over three years, and will be responsible for meeting an individual fundraising goal of at least $400,000 within the first year and grow to $2 million annually within 3 years. The candidate will build relationships through in person visits, written and verbal communications and proposals, and organize cultivation and fundraising events, and track progress made toward the goal.

The Associate Director/ Officer - Major Gifts will ensure that donors receive recognition and increase future giving opportunities. The candidate is expected to participate in strategic planning with IDA's organizational leaders, as well as to involve and liaise with appropriate staff and volunteers to ensure the timely fulfillment of recognition gifts and tracking prospects and donors while providing high levels of donor stewardship, keeping them apprised of interactions, issues or concerns and engaging them in overall strategy discussions as appropriate.

REPORTS TO / SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

  • Direct Supervisor: Executive Director or Director of Development designate

ADDITIONAL:

  • Location: West coast (preferred LA/ San Rafael/ San Francisco) but flexible
  • Status: Regular, full-time, and FLSA exempt

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Responsible for building and expanding IDA’s major gifts program.
  • Assume responsibility for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of 75-100 individual actual and prospective major donors per year.
  • Manage, monitor and research prospective and current contacts portfolio, track prospect and donor cultivation and solicitation activities using Salesforce database, and report regularly on progress ensuring positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations
  • Develop and pursue strong cultivation and stewardship strategies to nurture, maintain relationships and close solicitation personally with major prospects and donors.
  • Identify opportunities to seek and obtain major gifts and develop proposals, correspondence and stewardship reports as needed for donors.
  • Help recruit, train, coach, motivate and offer prospect strategy counsel to Executive Director, Board members and identified staff to engage in and support solicitations and other cultivation/stewardship activities.
  • Help plan and manage atleast 5 donor cultivation events per year, and assist with larger benefit events to increase Major Donor prospects through networking and cultivation.
  • Work closely with development team especially the Director of Planned Giving and program staff to cultivate and solicit donors, develop and implement fundraising strategies and identify funding opportunities for organization-wide priorities
  • Other responsibilities as assigned.

    • REQUIREMENTS

    • B.A./B.S. degree in business, marketing, non-profit fund raising/ management or equivalent education in relevant fields; advanced degree preferred.
    • Minimum 5 years' progressive development experience working in a major gifts environment
    • Proven demonstrable major individual gift fundraising experience in cultivation and personal solicitations of five and six-figure gifts.
    • Thorough knowledge of fundraising principles – able to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: (1) to make cold calls and initiate contacts with potential donors; (2) to develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them; (3) to move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure; (4) to make solicitations when appropriate; (5) to maintain stewardship contacts with donors.
    • Excellent knowledge and understanding of the animal protection movement and issues along with an ability to speak to donors and behave in a nonjudgmental, respectful, and empathic manner.
    • Must keep informed and up to date on IDA's campaigns, projects, updates, and news.
    • Must keep informed and up to date on IDA's campaigns, projects, updates, and news.
    • Strong and progressive sense of fundraising ethics and practices, and respect for confidentiality of donor information.
    • Knowledge of the animal protection donor community is helpful but not required.
    • Outstanding interpersonal written and oral communication skills and a demonstrated ability to establish and sustain strong relationships are a must.
    • High level of skill in training, managing and motivating staff and volunteers.
    • Strong computer skills are required; knowledge of Salesforce database is helpful.
    • Demonstrated leadership and diplomatic skills and the ability to think strategically in a small, fast-paced environment is essential.
    • Must be a self-starter and be able to work independently and as part of a team.
    • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and travel frequently if needed.
    • The ideal candidate should be based in West coast (preferably L.A./ San Rafael/ San Francisco or California) but location can be flexible for the ideal candidate.
    • Should be flexible to work remotely if necessary.

    How to Apply:

    To apply please use job code 'MAJGIF' in subject line of email and submit cover letter detailing your qualifications for the position, writing sample, resume and your salary history and requirement by email to employment@idausa.org. This is a full time position with salary and benefits. www.idausa.org

    Development and Marketing Associate/Coordinator.

    In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection and advocacy organization, is seeking a Development and Marketing Associate/ Coordinator. The mission of IDA is to defend the rights, welfare, and habitats of animals. From rescuing, giving sanctuary and providing veterinary care to abused and abandoned animals in rural Mississippi; to chimpanzee victims of the bush meat trade in Cameroon, Africa; to street animals of Mumbai, India; to fighting the South Korean dog and cat meat trade; to protecting our nation's wild horses; to our campaigns against the puppy mills, vivisection, fur industry; to our campaign on behalf of elephants in zoos and circuses - IDA is a recognized leader in the advancement of animal rights and welfare and for advocating the protection for animals in their habitats

    JOB SUMMARY:

    As part of a dynamic development team, the Development and Marketing Associate/ Coordinator will assist with all aspects of fundraising including but not limited to direct mail campaigns, database management, grant writing, partnerships, marketing, sponsorships and special events, online giving, donor communication and fulfillment, major donor research, donor cultivation and major gifts, workplace giving campaigns, planned giving, and in managing our relationship with our members. The ideal candidate works closely with the members of the Development Team and executive management. This position is located in our headquarters in San Rafael, CA.

    REPORTS TO / SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

    • Department: Development
    • Direct Supervisor: TBD

    ADDITIONAL:

    • Location: San Rafael, California
    • Status: Regular, full-time, and FLSA exempt

    ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

    • Develop and manage partnerships, seek strategic-marketing opportunities and solicit sponsorships and in-kind donations for online campaigns, events, programs and projects working with Communications and Program teams.
    • Assist in coordinating the active direct mail program, working with a direct mail companies, designing pieces, editing copy, proofreading all collaterals, working with the Development and graphics team, campaign staff and executive management on mail strategies and systems to track and benchmark giving progress, and reporting monthly on revenue.
    • Send bid requests to vendors, working closely with chosen vendors to keep projects and scheduling on track, while maintaining good working relationships.
    • Write detailed and explicit print and lettershop instructions; meet mail-drop deadlines for mailing houses to ensure that all mailings keep to master schedule.
    • Manage list purchasing and tracking: clear names and maintain results analyses for all mailings; calculate costs of mailings vs. receipts of donations, and provide statistical reports on direct mail campaigns.
    • Draft, coordinate and produce marketing materials for individual giving programs, including brochures, web-text, newsletter copy, and direct mail inserts.
    • Act as first line of contact for supporters and effectively respond to donor inquiries through written correspondence, telephone contact, as well as email to ensure that donor needs, questions and concerns are processed immediately upon request.
    • Work as part of the development team to identify prospects, assist in donor cultivation, engagement, solicitation and acknowledgment strategies, ensuring all donors and funders are thanked and stewarded in a professional and timely manner.
    • Assist with individual giving campaigns, including Combined Federal Campaign, State Campaigns and other Workplace Giving Campaigns and submit all paperwork and applications in a timely manner to ensure compliance and assist with fulfillment of acknowledgements.
    • Cross-train with the members of the development team to use, maintain and manage donor database, including creation and generation of reports, data entry, de-duping, preparing file selects, etc. thus gaining mastery of database systems
    • Assist with foundation and grants research, information gathering and grant writing
    • Assist member services with mail and other administrative office tasks as needed
    • Develop, coordinate, and oversee other development programs as needed
    • Other responsibilities as assigned

      • REQUIREMENTS:

      • B.A./B.S. degree in business, marketing, non-profit management or equivalent education.
      • Two years' development, marketing and copywriting experience in a non-profit, academic, corporate setting or equivalent experience.
      • Must be detail-oriented and demonstrate good copy writing, editing and proof-reading skills.
      • Excellent written and verbal communication, time management and organizational skills.
      • Strong interpersonal, organizational, planning, administrative coordination and critical thinking skills are a must, as is an ability to train and retain volunteer support.
      • Strong computer skills including fundraising database experience esp. Salesforce is a plus.
      • Must be a self-starter and be able to work independently and as part of a team.
      • Ability to work within tight deadlines while handling multiple projects simultaneously in a complex and fast-paced environment is essential.
      • Strong work ethic, passion for the mission of the organization and knowledge of animal rights and animal welfare issues is desirable.
      • Graphic and/or web design experience is a huge plus.
      • Must be people-oriented and comfortable speaking with supporters
      • Occasional travel may be required

      How to Apply:

      To apply please use job code 'DEVASC' in subject line of email and submit cover letter detailing your qualifications for the position, writing samples, resume and your salary history and requirement by email to employment@idausa.org. This is a full time position with salary and benefits. www.idausa.org

      Volunteer Positions

      Volunteers are always needed at In Defense of Animals! We have many volunteer positions within our world headquarters in San Rafael, California, and just as many virtual volunteer positions. If you want to make a difference for animals around the world, we can use you to do anything from office tasks to activism to marketing (and much more).

      Please email volunteer@idausa.org or call 415.448.0048 to find out how you can make a difference for animals in need, and make sure to sign up for our action alerts for local issues, events and other opportunities to help In Defense of Animals: http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/join.html

      IDA needs the help of caring and compassionate volunteers like you. Here's just some of our open volunteer positions:

      Admin Support

      Do you like to be around people who share your love of animals? Do you want to do meaningful work in a stimulating office environment with like-minded people? Our administrative support team is the foundation to In Defense of Animals' work and is looking for volunteers to make IDA's efforts even more powerful. If you can bring your aptitude for spreadsheet updates, mail merges, database maintenance, written and phone correspondence, filing, and other like tasks to In Defense of Animals, then we need you to become an integral part of our efforts to be a voice for the voiceless. This position is located in our headquarters in San Rafael, California and we ask for a minimum weekly commitment of two hours. Who knew that data entry could feel so good?

      Skills desired: Previous office experience and a fluency with Microsoft Office.

      Pluses: A love of animals, a sense of humor, and an appreciation for vegan snacks.

      Animal Abuse Investigators

      In Defense of Animals is looking for motivated and friendly volunteers to research reported animal abuse instances that are called into our headquarters. Do you have experience working against animal cruelty? Do you want to work within the guidelines and support of IDA to assist the public? Do you love to help people help animals? This could be the ideal volunteer position for you! Please contact us to find out how you can help make a difference and be the first line of defense for animals around the world. This position is located in our headquarters in San Rafael, California, although background research can be done from anywhere.

      Skills desired: Knowledge of animal cruelty laws (or willingness to learn) and good empathy and communication skills when interfacing with the public.

      Pluses: Experience in the field, a love of animals, a sense of humor, and an appreciation for vegan snacks.

      Graphic Designer

      If you have an eye for beauty and a heart for animals, please consider using your graphic design talents to help stop animal exploitation and abuse. In Defense of Animals is looking for a skilled and motivated volunteer who can create high-end and beautiful banners to match event themes and concepts and/or work on powerful HTML email letter design. Banners will be posted on the IDA website, MySpace, and other partner sites and emails will be widely distributed to help get the word out about important animal events and issues. If you have a strong understanding of design concepts, and can create a beautiful banner or powerful HTML email design on a fairly fast turn-around, please talk to us about how you can support IDA from the comfort of your own home. This position is remote.

      Skills desired: Should be fluent in Photoshop, hold a strong understanding and love of design, and have a portfolio of work.

      Internet

      If you have a computer and will cyber-travel, please consider being an Internet volunteer with In Defense of Animals! Some cyber opportunities include testing links on IDA's web pages or helping to maintain the accuracy of our website information; maintaining and posting IDA sanctuary Project Hope’s animals on web-based adoption sites; or posting My Space banners. If you have a mouse, a modem and a dream, please consider being an Internet volunteer for IDA. This position can be remote or in our San Rafael offices, and requires a minimum time commitment of two hours per week.

      Skills desired: Must be able to navigate web pages and have access to the Internet.

      Literature Fulfillment

      Are you a bookworm who loves all other worms, walruses and wombats If you believe that knowledge is power and education is key and you want to make a difference for animals around the world, please consider helping In Defense of Animals send out informational materials. Help us change the world one worm, one walrus, one wombat and one package at a time. Our Lit Fulfillment volunteers fulfill literature orders, keep inventory, and use IDA's mailroom to package orders. This position is based in our San Rafael offices, and requires a minimum time commitment of two hours per week. Has fulfillment always felt this fulfilling?

      Skills desired: Attention to detail and organizational prowess.

      Pluses: A love of animals, a sense of humor, and an appreciation for vegan snacks.

      Reception

      In Defense of Animals is looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to greet our guests, answer our phones, take messages, give out information on and from IDA, forward calls from the public to our staff, and make thank you calls! If you have a good phone voice and love to talk to people, this could be the ideal volunteer position for you. Please contact us to find out how you can help make a difference and be the first line of defense for animals around the world. This position is located in our headquarters in San Rafael, California.

      Pluses: A love of animals, a sense of humor, and an appreciation for vegan snacks.

      Researcher

      In Defense of Animals is seeking individuals with solid research skills to help with IDA's Reallocation project. Our Reallocation project asks that all institutions which sustain and promote scientific research implement a dedicated plan for re-directing funds and resources away from projects involving animals and apply them to non-animal methods. IDA's Reallocation Initiative proposes that a minimal five percent annual reallocation of funding and resources be applied toward non-animal technologies.

      We are looking for skilled researchers with backgrounds in scientific and/or biomedical research to research biotech companies which do not use animals and are developing animal free methods, and to research and create a summary of Nobel prizes over the past 10-20 years in science and medicine that were awarded to projects not using animals. We can also use individuals who have performed in-depth research at the college or graduate level to work on a variety of other projects. If you have a background in research and want to make a difference for animals suffering in laboratories, please contact us to see how you can help.

      Skills desired: An academic and/or professional background in research.

      Pluses: A background in scientific or biomedical research, and a university affiliation and access to a university library.

      Tabling/Outreach

      Do you have a love of animals, education, and outreach? In Defense of Animals is looking for committed, social, confident and dedicated people to represent IDA at events and cities around the country. Studies have shown that people respond best to new ideas when approached in a respectful, empathic and nonjudgmental manner. We ask that our tabling team be able to bring these skills to the table! We ask that our volunteers work hard, not be afraid to schlep, appreciate teamwork, and also be able to enjoy some perks. Our tabling team receives free entry to events and the opportunity to have some fun. Outreach can also include leafleting and demo opportunities; please let us know you preferred area of interest. We ask that our outreach volunteers act as IDA representatives, and be able and willing to learn about IDA campaigns, programs, and history to share with the public.

      Skills desired: Should love all animals, including humans, and be able to communicate in an articulate, respectful, empathic and nonjudgmental manner.

      Writer

      In Defense of Animals is looking for some adept and experienced writers to take our work to the next level. Our writers are integral to our work in educating and alerting the public to breaking issues that affect animals around the world. IDA is seeking skilled writers to work on a variety of projects, including press releases, news alerts, brochures, web pages, blogs, and advocacy letters. If you are looking to expand your portfolio and help some animals, please consider this opportunity! This position can be remote and project-based.

      Skills desired: Stellar writing abilities, a solid understanding of animal rights, and a portfolio of writing samples to share.