Contract Fundraiser

JAWS seeks contract fundraiser (major gifts & institutional giving)

Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS) seeks a talented fundraiser with proven success in major gifts and institutional giving in the field of journalism. This individual should have an advanced understanding of the trends, opportunities and principals across journalism organization funding. This role will be focused on outreach, cultivation and solicitation activities, in partnership with the executive director and volunteer leaders.

JAWS is a nearly 40-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that works to advance the professional empowerment and personal growth of women in journalism and advocates for more inclusive coverage of the diverse experiences and cultures that make up our society. We hold an annual conference, regional meetings, online trainings and robust dialogue throughout the year. (“Women” at JAWS includes anyone who self-identifies as a woman, or as a non-binary, gender-nonconforming or agender person.)

Scope of workIdentify, qualify and prioritize foundation/grant opportunities to support general operations or existing programsConduct outreach to build relationships with institutional funders on behalf of the organizationManage the grant proposal process, including leading the development of proposal writing in consultation with the executive directorSecure sponsorships for the mid-September annual conference (CAMP), including renewing/upgrading past sponsors and bringing on new corporate, institutional and academic sponsors; identify opportunities to cultivate sponsors for additional (CAMP+) supportPursue opportunities to tap into women donor networks to cultivate prospective individual major donorsAdvise the executive director on opportunities for collaboration or partnership that may arise in the course of development outreach activitiesContribute to the development of fundraising materials, including case statements and web copyOf note: This scope of work does not include board training, staff training, comprehensive fundraising planning or systems creation. This is an execution-focused, rather than a planning-focused, role.

Portfolio targets$75,000 in individual major gifts by end of year, including $35,000 from new donors$75,000 in new foundation grants or other institutional giving (gen ops or existing program foci) by end of year$75,000 in CAMP sponsorships by September

ProcessIn lieu of a formal proposal, please submit a letter of interest (no longer than two pages) that addresses your understanding of the work and how you would approach it, brief highlights of work done reflecting your expertise and special knowledge of the journalism philanthropy landscape and donor base, and a range of proposed fees.

Letters of interest will be reviewed on a rolling basis. In the case of a potential strong fit, the fundraiser may be invited to a discovery call with the executive director to answer questions and refine the project approach.

Please submit letters of interest to hello@jaws.org with the subject line “Contract Fundraiser.”