Jobs

History

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice is a Newark-based urban research and advocacy organization dedicated to the advancement of New Jersey's urban areas and residents. Established in 1999 by the Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein Foundation, the Institute provides a dynamic and independent voice for change necessary to create just, vibrant and inclusive urban communities throughout New Jersey. We are pleased to have been referred to as a "social justice think and do tank."

Mission

It is our strong belief that urban areas of New Jersey hold remarkable potential to act as regionally competitive economic engines while providing resilient, vital, and attractive communities to their residents. It is our work to identify, analyze and address the underlying causes of social and economic disparities and to challenge the barriers that constrain cities and their residents from achieving their full potential.

Position Description

The NJISJ Institutional Advancement Officer is responsible for increasing the assets and public/private support for NJISJ. Areas of responsibility include the oversight of grants and contracts, special events, business development, and community development. The Institutional Advancement Officer reports directly to the President & CEO and is a member of the senior management team. The Institutional Advancement Officer's essential job functions are to acquire and manage both financial and staff resources for NJISJ.

Acquire and Manage Financial Resources

The Institutional Advancement Officer is responsible for creating and implementing an annual fundraising plan approved by the President & CEO. The fundraising plan, to be submitted in September of each year, will list specific private solicitation, event, and grant goals and will chart the tasks necessary to achieve each goal along a timeline within the fiscal year.

Private Solicitation (includes individuals, corporations, planned gifts, etc.)

Research and identify private donor prospects;

Identify and implement long and short-term outreach and follow up strategies (contacts, coffees, lunches, Institute events, etc.) for each prospect;

Identify the appropriate â??ask' for each prospect considering cash donation, in-kind assistance, planned giving options, or other vehicles;

Implement the follow-up plan for each prospect, coordinating schedules to set meetings, generating all necessary materials, etc.;

Organize small cultivation events; Brief CEO, in writing, prior to meetings and events; Draft personalized thank you letters for the CEO;

Plan NJISJ board and staff development committee meetings, generating development reports for the CEO as required;

Work to create a fully integrated communications strategy designed to provide maximum support to fundraising efforts; and

Maintain accurate and current individual donor/prospect database and correspondence files.

Annual Event

Work with CEO and board to identify and approach honorees;

Oversee board committee participation; and

Ensure the success managing all aspects of the event including, but not limited to: expense budget, printed materials, vendors, mailings, research, donation tracking, all details on the night of the event, acknowledgements, and follow-up.

Grants/Contract Management

Cultivate a thorough understanding of all existing NJISJ programs and the grants/contracts that support them to affirmatively leverage all aspects of NJISJ policy and program work for fundraising efforts;

Work with all staff to research and identify creative and appropriate grant and contract opportunities for NJISJ including how a potential grants fits into the larger NJISJ programmatic and existing funder matrix;

Prepare grant applications for new and renewal opportunities approved by management, overseeing the process from start to finish;

Maintain the NJISJ grants calendar and a complete file of all grant and contract reports and applications as sent to the funders;

Prepare grant and contract reports, overseeing the process from start to finish, taking responsibility for final preparation and mailing of all grant applications and reports;

Meet with institutional grant officers in consultation with the CEO (in-person or by phone) on a regular basis; and Identify and implement opportunities to showcase Institute work to funders (graduations, hearings, etc.).

Acquire and Manage Staff Resources

Build and lead a team of externally compensated and volunteer fundraising staff;

Identify potential sources of externally compensated fundraising staff by developing strategic contacts and relationships; and

Manage all externally compensated fundraising staff, providing assignments and daily oversight of all activities and conducting performance evaluations.

Qualifications

Success in this position hinges on the individual's ability to follow direction, lead a team, manage limited resources, exercise excellent judgment, use discretion, and to participate as a supportive member of the NJISJ team.

Works well as a member of a team, accepts direction and enthusiastically follows management instructions;

Possesses an entrepreneurial personality and is a proactive leader who works well without close supervision;

Follows through to completion all assigned tasks, including those delegated to supervisees;

Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of NJISJ mission;

Understands the importance and necessity of using discretion and maintaining confidentiality;

Possesses strong communication skills (writing, listening, and speaking);

Possesses the ability to maximize and facilitate the limited amount of time board members and other volunteers are able to devote to NJISJ;

Demonstrates intellectual curiosity regarding NJISJ mission and related fields;

Possesses the ability and has the inclination to respond quickly and affirmatively to assignments;

Values community and brings a spirit of enthusiasm and energy;

Demonstrates core values of respect for the individual, community, integrity, excellence, and a commitment to learning;

Possesses excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to creatively solve problems, resolve conflicts, and strategically plan;

Maintains a professional manner at all times; and

Proficient in computer applications including the Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access) and Donor Perfect.