BACKGROUND
The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester works to build a strong Jewish future in Rochester, Israel, and worldwide through philanthropy, engagement, education, and advocacy.
The Federation convenes, engages, and leads the Rochester Jewish community and its partners, leverages its resources to enhance and sustain Jewish life, assists people in need, mobilizes on issues of concern to the local Jewish community, and strengthens the bond with Israel and Jewish people globally.
· Responding to the rise in antisemitism locally and nationally
· Ensuring the Safety and Security of the Jewish Community: We must ensure our safety by expanding the security infrastructure across our community while also fostering change through education and bridge-building efforts.
· Building an Engaged and Flourishing Jewish Community: We cannot predict what the future will hold, so we must sustain a network of forward-thinking, resilient nonprofit organizations and relationships that will form the bedrock of a vibrant, caring Rochester Jewish community for generations to come.
· Fostering Connections to Israel and Global Jewry: The Federation builds connections to Jewish life overseas through local programming, our vibrant people-to-people connection with Modi'in, Israel and by allocating funds to service partners in collective support of world Jewry.
· Growing the Resources to Sustain Our Community: We must foster a love of philanthropy and community involvement across all ages and stages of life so that we can continue to support our vibrant Jewish community here and throughout the world.
THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER ROCHESTER (JFGR)
JFGR is not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered at 255 East Avenue in Rochester, NY. JFGR was founded in almost 75 years ago and currently has a fulltime staff of 26 professionals dedicated to the mission of raising funds for and supporting the Jewish community in Greater Rochester, Israel, and beyond. With an endowment of over $45 million, the JFGR team raises over $6 million each year. Distributing, on average, $6M to important Jewish community organizations near and far. The efforts of JFGR are critically important and essential in order to support this thriving and growing Jewish community. For more information about The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester, please click here.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Federation of Greater Rochester seeks an exceptional front-line fundraiser who demonstrates confidence, polish, and a natural ability to put others at ease. The ideal candidate should be someone who wants to join a dynamic team of professionals to work on a major-gifts-driven campaign with personal focus on the $1k - $5k gift range, to start. S/he will have a unique opportunity to incorporate his/her diverse fundraising skills from prospect identification, cultivation, direct solicitations, major event management, and educational programming.
JFGR expects this position to develop and grow an existing prospects list of 150 current donors.
The ideal candidate will have a successful track record as a self-starter cultivating and soliciting gifts, event-management experience, excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) with prospects and donors, and a strong familiarity with the Jewish philanthropic community. S/he will also possess a deep commitment to the mission of The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
This position is an opportunity to align yourself with one of the top 10 most successful philanthropic models, otherwise known as The Jewish Federations of North America—a vast network of 146 independent Federations and a network of 300 smaller communities across the continent. These assorted federations raise and distribute over $2 Billion annually to help build flourishing Jewish communities domestically, in Israel, and around the world.
Renowned for the excellent training, mentoring, and creative approach to philanthropy, participating in the Jewish Federation at any level is a feather in one’s professional development cap. The Chief Philanthropic Officer, Debbie Goldberg, is seeking a candidate to join her team who is creative and has intellectual curiosity; JFGR is large enough so that there are opportunities for growth. The Associate Development Director will operate as a right-hand to the CPO and have the opportunity to grow the awareness of the work of JFGR, try new ideas, involve new and younger donors and alumni, and raise more funds to better serve the Jewish community writ large. Towards that end, this position will need to expand the pipeline of prospects.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
· Prospect Portfolio Management: Oversee and manage a portfolio of approximately 150
prospects and donors within the $1000-$5000 giving range.
· Development Strategy: Partner with the CPO to develop and implement strategies for donor identification,
cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to ensure a robust pipeline of support.
· Relationship Building: Cultivate strong and meaningful relationships with donors and
prospects, understanding their philanthropic interests and aligning them with the organization's
initiatives.
· Solicitation and Closing Gifts: Create tailored solicitation plans, making asks for financial
support, and effectively closing gifts from new and existing donors.
· Stewardship: Ensure proper acknowledgment and stewardship of donors, providing regular
updates on the impact of their contributions and maintaining ongoing engagement.
· Collaboration and Reporting: Collaborate closely with the Phed Team, sharing insights,
progress, and strategies. Provide regular reports on donor interactions, progress, and
fundraising outcomes.
· Events and Campaigns: Contribute to the planning and execution of fundraising events and campaigns targeted at engaging donors and prospects within the portfolio. Generate new and exciting programs for outreach to expand the donor base and interest.
· Work strategically with lay leaders to encourage them to build bridges and utilize their networks to help develop stronger relationships with other lay leaders, prospects, and donors.
· Ability to travel throughout the region as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
· Bachelor's degree is required.
· At least five-seven years of experience including at least 3 years of experience in direct solicitation, fundraising experience within a Jewish communal, higher education, or other nonprofit setting; sales experience in the private sector is also welcomed.
· Strong Relationship Building: Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to engage and build relationships with donors, prospects, and stakeholders.
· Fundraising Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of fundraising principles, including research, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
· Portfolio Management: Experience managing a portfolio of donors, including strategically moving them through the donor cycle.
· Team Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment, contributing ideas and supporting overall fundraising goals.
· Organizational Skills: Strong organizational abilities to manage multiple donor relationships and tasks simultaneously.
· Must be a self-starter, work independently, yet be a part of a team.
· Outstanding interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills are a necessity.
· Be an ambitious and motivated development professional who values a results-driven and highly collaborative work environment.
· Have a strong work ethic, be determined and decisive, and exhibit sound judgment and grace under pressure.
· Be innovative, tenacious, and motivated to take on new challenges.
· A deep personal resonance with the mission of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester and the keen ability to present the case for support to prospects and donors.
· Excellent technology skills; proficient in Microsoft Suite, Blackbaud and/or other CRM software.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $100,000/annually and as a full-time role, provides an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, health savings, and pension plans. This position is entitled to 4 weeks’ vacation (including the week of July 4th when the office is closed). There are, depending on the Jewish calendar, secular paid holidays (9-10/ year) and depending on any given year’s Jewish calendar, up to 15 paid Jewish holidays.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and an inclusive work environment regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status. The above is intended to describe the general duties and requirements for the performance of the position. It is not construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts the manager's ability to assign or reassign responsibilities for this job at any time. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform essential functions.
CONTACT
To apply, nominate others or obtain further information, please contact the executive recruiting firm assisting JFGR in this effort:
Thom Hamill
President
WealthRight Partners Inc.,
CELL: 917-566-8578
thomhamill@gmail.com