About the Position

Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence is a grassroots movement of educators and school staff across America whose mission is to empower its allies and supporters to demand that communities are safe from gun violence. We share experiences among educators impacted by or afraid of school and community gun violence. We provide educator resources and support to help navigate the threat and impact of gun violence in our schools and communities. We elevate our stories to impact and pass local, state, and federal gun violence prevention legislation and to help change the culture of gun violence.

Teachers Unify was founded by three public school teachers and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) members: Abbey Clements, Sarah Lerner, and Sari Beth Rosenberg. Two of the co-founders survived two of the worst of America’s school shootings – Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, CT, in 2012 (Abbey) and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, FL, in 2018 (Sarah). With over 75 years of teaching experience among them, the founders intend Teachers Unify to fill a gap in the national dialogue around gun violence that has too long excluded teachers.

We are looking for an experienced, dynamic, and nimble development professional who has a passion for connecting people and creating real change in the gun violence prevention and education spaces. Teachers Unify is the only organization that is of, by, and for educators in the movement.

You should apply if you love building things and seeing the fruits of your labor.  Someone with deep experience in creating an institutional giving operation and managing major donor operations will thrive. Above all else, humor and strategic thinking will make this person a success.

Duties Include

The new Development Director will divide their time among several functions. A breakdown of the position’s primary responsibilities includes: 

Foundation & Grants Management (40%)

• Working with the Executive Director, create and expand their existing portfolio of foundations giving to Teachers Unify

• Create and maintain relationships with the appropriate people in identified foundation prospects

• Research, vet, and apply to new foundations to expand Teachers Unify’s revenue

• Create the required reports and communications with foundations as needed

Individual & Major Donors (30%)

• Work with the Executive Director with their portfolio of high potential donors

• Maintain and expand giving relationships with existing major donors

• Work to elevate low and mid-dollar donors to the major donor level

• Actively prospect potential new donors to bring into and expand the major donor base

Digital Fundraising & Administration (15%)

• Work with the digital (email and text) fundraising consultants to maintain and expand the existing giving program

• Look for ways to expand and streamline the process

• Maintain and keep the database up to date

• Run reports and projections as needed

Strategy & Planning (15%)

• Using historical data and smart projections, create and implement an organizational development plan

• Look for and assess ways to diversify and increase revenue sources for the organization

• In time, implement a plan to expand the Development team through additional hires or use of skilled consultants

• Work with communications consultants to increase and leverage press coverage of Teachers Unify’s accomplishments

Skills & Qualifications

• Experience: At least 4 years of experience as a fundraising professional in a nonprofit organization. Experience working directly with major donors and foundations is highly preferred. Demonstrated experience in managing and implementing a successful, comprehensive fundraising program and preparing work plans to achieve goals. Experience with both C3 and C4 organizations would be great, but not required.

• Track record of success: Demonstrated success in identifying and securing increased funds from current and prospective, foundation, and individual donors through a coordinated, strategic approach. 

• Creativity and Innovation: Ability to see opportunities, think creatively, and develop new approaches for development. 

• Self-direction: Track record of taking initiative and working independently. Takes initiative and actively seeks to deepen current donor relationships and to forge new ones. Ability to be self-sufficient in a small staff environment.

• Communications: Skilled in creating powerful, compelling written and oral communications for fundraising. Strong relationship building and “people” skills. 

• Prioritization, Time Management and Detail Orientation: Excellent organizational and time-management skills, detail-oriented, including ability to manage multiple tasks independently. Ability to set and meet goals, prioritize, plan, manage, and complete work on deadlines.

• Understanding of Education and Gun Violence: An understanding of, and a passion for, the role educators play in the anti gun violence space is essential to the success of this person.

To Apply

• Click below or email us at jobs@jmmstrategygroup.com with the subject line "TU DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR"

• Send your resume and a cover letter in one document in pdf format

• No calls, please

JMM Strategy Group and Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence strongly encourage women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community to apply. We do not tolerate discrimination on any level and are actively working to ensure that all people have access to the jobs and positions they are qualified to succeed in.