Interim Director of Philanthropy

This is an internal opening only. This is a temporary assignment projected to start 5/29/2023 and end 8/31/2023.

The Organization

The Florence Project (Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, or FIRRP) was founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to thousands of adults and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona, on any given day. The Florence Project is nationally known for its legal and social services that ensure that detained immigrants are empowered and have access to justice. The Florence Project provides high-quality legal services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy, and currently has 180 staff members and offices in Phoenix, Tucson, and Florence, Arizona.

Primary Purpose of the Job:

The Florence Project seeks an Interim Director of Philanthropy who will lead a small team responsible for the full range of advancement activities for the organization, with a primary focus on strategic outreach and stewardship of major donors, foundations, law firms, and corporations. Working directly with the Executive Director, the Director of Philanthropy is responsible for overseeing activities such as annual giving, monthly giving, donor outreach, engagement and recognition, securing sponsorships for events, grant writing, and planned giving.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Execution of strategic annual fundraising plans, including establishment of fundraising priorities, goals, budgets and projections, and case for support.

• Manage Board fundraising activities and contributions and serve as staff officer for Board Fund/Development Committee.

• Manage personal portfolio: conduct research, cultivation and solicitation, and stewardship within this portfolio. Engage donors with correspondence, calls, and most importantly, individual, face-to-face visits (and travel for those meetings).

• Develop long term strategies for prospect donors and implement them in collaboration with the development team.

• Supports efforts to develop a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization by encouraging and supporting fundraising activities.

• Provide support to the Executive Director in maintaining relationships with high-level individual donors and foundations that support the organization.

• Proactively seeks opportunities to generate new proposals based on foundation guidelines and interests.

• Develop strong relationships within the community to foster a positive image of the organization and the clients we serve.

• Oversees grant reporting and collaborates with accounting to ensure restrictions are met and funding is used in accordance with funder wishes. Ensures high quality reporting.

• Oversees legacy giving, major gifts program strategies, including but not limited to major city visits, cafecitos, exclusive events, pro bono appreciation event, and portfolio management.

• Oversees individual giving strategies to ensure donors are retained, upgraded, and engaging with FIRRP staff.

• Integral member of communications team. Along with ED and Legal Director, approves, reviews, and sets the vision of the communications at the Florence Project. Often the final reviewer for AR, Spring and Fall Newsletters, and emails going to supporters.

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree or comparable experience required. Minimum of 3 years' experience in nonprofit development.

• CFRE or similar credentials preferred.

• Must have outstanding communication and writing skills.

• Must be able to juggle multiple tasks, show initiative, and problem solve creatively.

• Must be highly organized with a strong attention to detail and be able to complete tasks independently and work as a team.

• Capacity for effective outreach and engagement through personal interaction and public speaking.

• Excellent time management and organizations skills.

• Must have ardent support for the Project’s mission and a commitment to immigrant rights. Background in social justice or immigrant/refugee rights movements or organizations is a plus.

• Experience with marketing, social media, graphic design, videography, or photography is a plus.

• Occasional travel is required.

• Advanced proficiency in written and spoken Spanish is preferred.

• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way, zealous support of the Florence Project’s mission, and displays a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Must be comfortable working with stories related to individuals with criminal convictions and/or traumatic life experiences.

• Has the ability to work with diverse populations.

• Highly organized. Effectively manages multiple projects and meets deadlines.

• Demonstrated to be a hardworking, flexible, respectful team player that can work effectively in a collaborative, innovative, and client centered work environment.

• Ability to work independently.

• Is adaptable and reliable in the face of conflict, pressure, crisis or changing priorities.

• Exhibits high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to connect with people from all backgrounds and perspectives.

• Must be able to pass federal and state background checks.

• Travel may be required for this position.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

• Proven computer skills.  Advanced understanding of basic office applications.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Operates in a professional office environment and requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting, pulling and pushing.
• Requires the ability to use standard office equipment such as scanners, computers, keyboards, phones, shredders, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Requires the ability to lift up to ten pounds - accommodation may be available.
• Potential travel to Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, Tucson, and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
• Effective September 1, 2021, FIRRP has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. To comply with this policy, active employees must be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021. Employees seeking an exemption due to a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief should contact our Human Resources Department at humanresources@firrp.org.

Salary & Benefits:

This is a full-time, temporary assignment. The incumbent's annual base salary will be increased by $10,000 during the period of the interim managerial role.  This increase will take effect at the beginning and will cease at the end of the temporary assignment. We strive to create and uphold a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff.

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability insurance, with full premiums paid by the Florence Project, and partial health insurance premiums paid for dependents.
• Eligible employees are eligible for an employer matching retirement plan as soon as the employee contributes to their retirement plan.
• One personal day paid each month.
• Twenty-five days of vacation per year.
• Five days of sick/medical leave annually.
• Twelve weeks of paid parental leave.
• Relocation Assistance for out of state new hires
• Bereavement leave.
• All federal holidays observed.
• After three years of employment, employees are eligible for an eight-week paid sabbatical.
• Mileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work.

Application Process:

This is an immediate opening. The Florence Project values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities. We also recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed in our current job opportunities, please still consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence, which is very much valued at the Florence Project. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.

This job announcement is for informational purposes only and is subject to change and modification without notice. This job announcement includes a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities, qualifications, and requirements of the position, but does not necessarily include all the position’s job functions.