Careers | Director of Development

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a nonprofit policy research organization that seeks to educate people about the values of individual liberty, economic freedom and accountable government.

Through the publication of accurate and timely research and commentaries, as well as by organizing events, conferences and seminars, the institute informs Hawaii’s policymakers, news media and the general public about key public policy issues. Since its founding in 2001, it has helped provide the intellectual foundations for many local policy debates.

Position Summary
The Director of Development will report to the President and CEO and be responsible for building a department that can achieve aggressive growth in revenues.

The Director of Development will manage the Development Department, find and foster talented staff to achieve outcomes, and engage and cultivate relationships with prospective donors, with a key goal being to identify those who are likely to give at a high level.

Preference will be given to applicants who identify with the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s core values of individual liberty, economic freedom and accountable government.

Outcomes
• Achieve financial revenue goals within a specified timeline as directed by the President and CEO.
• Recruit and develop relationships with high-capacity prospects/donors, especially $10k+ and $25K+ annual donors.
Increase our legacy givers for long-term sustainability.
• Develop successful retention and growth plans for existing donors.
• Develop a robust donor-acquisition pipeline that increases the number of new high-capacity donors.

Essential duties and responsibilities
• Manage a systematic fundraising process.
• Set annual and campaign-specific goals with the President and CEO and lead the Development Department in achieving them.
• Identify, cultivate and meet with prospective major gift supporters.
• Maintain an active portfolio of prospects for cultivation and solicitation.
• Maintain a comprehensive calendar of development activities and grant deadlines.
• Identify aligned foundations, build relationships with foundation staff and author grant proposals and timely reports championing the Institute’s work.

Skills and Qualifications
• Alignment with the vision and mission of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.
• Five years of development experience preferred.
• Ability to manage and foster staff to achieve outcomes.
• Ability to develop strategic development plans that cultivate existing donors and attract new ones.
• Ability to develop systems and processes that allow the development department to work smart and efficiently scale its efforts.
• A keen understanding of fundraising best practices, systems and models.
• Experience with Salesforce software and online payment platforms.
• Ability to draft compelling grant proposals and donor communications.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Team player.
• Technologically adept.
• Ability to reliably commute to the Institute’s main office in Downtown Honolulu preferred, or planning to relocate before starting work.

Compensation and Benefits
• Annual salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive employee-benefits program, including, a full medical/dental/vision package.
• Retirement plan after two years of consecutive employment with an employer match of 3%, subject to the plan’s terms and revisions.
• 10 working days of paid time off (PTO) including sick days; however, PTO is available for use only after six consecutive months of employment. PTO may not be accumulated or carried over years.
• Paid federal and select state holidays.

Interested applicants can send their resume and three professional references to Joe Kent, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Executive Vice President at jkent@grassrootinstitute.org

Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be changed or assigned at any time without notice.