We’re Hiring

The Common Sense Institute of New Jersey seeks a Director of Development to oversee fundraising efforts on behalf of the growing state-based nonprofit. This role will report directly to the President.

In this new position in the organizational structure, the Development Director will have the opportunity to build the development capability. The most important output of the Development Department is revenue raised. To accomplish that, the Director of Development must raise a significant portion of the Institute’s annual revenue through personal recruitment and ongoing relationships with major donors.

The Director of Development will:

• Develop and implement a cohesive fundraising strategy for the Common Sense Institute, including strategies for high dollar donors; foundations, and corporate donors;

• Work closely with the President to implement the fundraising strategy, including making recommendations on how the President’s time can be most effectively utilized in a fundraising capacity;

• Identify and develop relationships with key individual prospects and record key information about these individuals;

• Solicit current and prospective donors for financial support for the Institute;

• Interact with donors through telephone calls, one-on-one visits, and written correspondence to keep them informed of our work;

• Manage an aggressive, high dollar direct mail program;

• Oversee the planning and implementation of special events;

• Gather and analyze data related to the effectiveness of various aspects of the fundraising strategy;

• Maintain the fundraising database to ensure current data on donors, gifts, and prospects;

• Begin the development of a planned giving program;

• Maintain relationships with charitable foundations that currently support the Common Sense Institute and regularly seek funding from new foundations; and

• Maintain relationships with private corporations that currently support the Common Sense Institute and seek funding from prospect corporations through meetings and written proposals.

The ideal candidate will have the following attributes:

Demonstrated ability to raise funds for organizations;
Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to be a self-starter;
A minimum of five years of experience in fundraising;
Experience with individual donors, foundations, and corporate donors;
Notable relationship building skills, and an outgoing, friendly personality;
Solid writing skills, including proficiency in proposal writing;
Ability to multi-task, organize numerous moving parts of a project, and meet deadlines;
Understanding of and commitment to the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and personal responsibility;
Experience with databases and basic Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook;
Excellent communication skills;
Ability to travel on a regular basis;
Bachelor’s degree

The Director of Development can reside anywhere in New Jersey and will work from a virtual office.

This position will require travel throughout the state of New Jersey, as well as occasional travel to other locations around the country. Expected travel: 25%.

Application Process

To apply, please email the following materials to Claire Kittle, Executive Director of Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected]:

• Résumé

• Cover letter, which must include your philosophical interest in the mission of the organization and your desired salary range

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. No phone calls please.

About The Common Sense Institute of New Jersey

The Common Sense Institute of New Jersey is a nonprofit research and education organization that conducts scholarly research and analysis of New Jersey public policy. The Institute’s mission is to explore and advance public policy alternatives that foster individual liberty, personal responsibility and economic opportunity. Institute staff will pursue this mission by conducting timely research on important issues and then marketing the findings to elected leaders, the media, business leaders, community organizations, and individual citizens.

The Common Sense Institute of New Jersey is governed by an independent Board of Directors and is a nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization. The Institute relies solely on voluntary support from individuals, private foundations and businesses, and as such neither accepts government funding nor conducts contract research.

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