Director of Stewardship & Advancement Services

How To Apply

If you would like to apply, please send your Resume and Cover Letter to apply@rdi.org

About Us

The Renew Democracy Initiative (RDI) is a non-partisan idea advocacy organization committed to identifying and combating threats to freedom in the US and around the world. Founded in 2017 by former World Chess Champion and Russian dissident Garry Kasparov, the organization is especially attuned to the dangers posed by political extremism domestically and dictators internationally. Today, Ukraine finds itself on the frontlines of this fight between dictatorship and freedom so in addition to our domestic focus, RDI has stepped up as one of the leading organizations supporting Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself from Russia’s brutal invasion.

The Role

The Director of Stewardship & Advancement Services will work with the Executive Director as well as with other team members to raise revenue to pursue the organization’s strategic goals. As the first full-time development professional at RDI, you will be the person primarily responsible for individual and institutional donor research, gift processing, donor stewardship, and codifying RDI’s donor processes. You should also be prepared to help manage and organize fundraising (and friend-raising) events in New York, DC, and other states.

This role is process-heavy and will require formidable CRM management abilities as you will not only be managing this process, but also creating it in accordance with best practices. This is an exciting opportunity for a uniquely detail-oriented individual who can build our donor and stewardship systems from the ground up and maintain those systems over time.

As a startup, RDI has an all-hands-on-deck mentality. A successful candidate should be able to work independently in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. You should be comfortable taking initiative and owning your projects from start to finish.

Key Responsibilities

Spearheading Donor Operations

Define and manage RDI’s back-end donor management processes from solicitation to gift processing to stewardship.
Manage RDI’s CRM, currently NGPVan EveryAction (but liable to change – perhaps based on your recommendation), ensuring data integrity, and consistency.
Develop and codify RDI’s back end donor processes.
Monitor and report regularly on the progress of the development program.
Monitor all donor information; provide and present statistical analysis to senior staff and board members.

Managing Donor Relationships:

Qualify new donors and establish schedules for the cultivation and solicitation of gifts from RDI’s major gift prospects. Ultimately the goal should be to ensure that the Executive Director and members of the board can be more efficient and maximize the amount of time they spend engaging with supporters.
Implement a stewardship program aimed at cultivating deeper ties with donors.
Organize and manage events to engage existing RDI supporters as well as attract new donors.
Create and send donor correspondence, including timely acknowledgment of all gifts.
Coordinate and conduct meetings whether in person or virtually with donors, prospects, volunteers, and key constituencies.

Strategy & Organizational Growth

Work with other team members to write grant and sponsorship proposals for individuals, institutions, and corporations.
Identify new significant institutional or individual donor prospects.
Come up with ideas for ways to grow the organization, increase appeal to supporters, and identify new revenue streams.

Qualifications of an Ideal Candidate

Strong organizational skills.
Flexible and adaptable work and interpersonal style.
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; demonstrated ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships.
7+ years of experience in a nonprofit organization in a development function or equivalent experience.
Concrete and functional understanding of CRM.
Tangible experience of having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time.
Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also function as a team player who will take initiative, and manage multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Logistics & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary at $80,000 to $115,000 depending on experience, generous benefits, flexible hours, paid time off, and unique opportunities for ongoing professional development.
Hybrid work environment in New York or Washington, D.C. Metro areas (in-person work 1-2 days per week) with possibility of fully remote work for the right candidate.
Ability to travel domestically is preferred.
U.S. work authorization required.