Vice President of Development

WHO WE ARE

FreeFrom is a national organization founded in 2016 whose mission is to dismantle the nexus between gender-based violence and financial insecurity.  We believe in the creativity, resourcefulness, and power that each survivor has to achieve financial independence and to build communities that support individual, intergenerational, and collective healing. Our work is rooted in respect for the wisdom of survivors who always know best what we need and how to innovate solutions to meet those needs. With survivors at the center, the ecosystem we are building will offer support at all points on a survivors’ journey.

Gender-based violence is a systemic problem in our society which we are severely lacking the infrastructure to address. FreeFrom’s work is to create that infrastructure. To this end, we are building scalable offerings for survivors — such as our cash assistance program, savings matching program, and social enterprise — which have reached over 30K people to date. We also work to create systemic change in the public and private sector — from federal, state, and local governments to banks, employers, and credit card companies. Using data from our diverse community of survivors, we are developing systemic solutions that meet the nuanced needs of survivors existing at various intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, immigration status, and disability.

OUR VALUES AND WORK CULTURE

Our team is made up of queer, trans, im/migrant, and BIPOC survivors and activists. As an organization, we put our values into action to support the financial security, well being, and safety for employees in the following ways:

• We are committed to the financial security of survivors by paying all staff living-wage salaries, providing flexible work schedules, offering a building wealth stipend, unlimited menstrual leave and other benefits.
• We are building an ecosystem of support rooted in respect for the wisdom of survivors who always know best what we need and how to innovate solutions to meet those needs. We actively engage staff in the development of new policies and best practices.
• We are a team of nimble innovators. We intentionally cultivate a spirit of creativity and experimentation in our work, understanding that we must be willing to try new approaches and apply new frameworks in order to solve a systemic problem like gender-based violence.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Design, implement, and lead fundraising strategies that drive growth and sustainability.

• Architect a comprehensive vision and plan intended to 1) raise $10M in FY24 and cumulatively raise $55M over the next five years, 2) steward and increase support from existing supporters, and 3) identify and pursue new supporters that are aligned with FreeFrom’s values and mission.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of foundation, corporate, and individual funders and social enterprise partners, creating donor-specific strategies and tactics. Free up CEO’s capacity to focus on donor relationship cultivation and stewardship.
• Lead the research, qualification, and management of a robust pipeline of new donor prospects. Perform due diligence, conduct outreach, and design cultivation tactics that reflect an understanding of the prospect’s interests and fit with FreeFrom.
• Partner with the CEO to engage the 10-member board’s in fundraising activities, maximizing their time, talent, and networks.
• Establish and/refine a robust development infrastructure, inclusive of consistent processes for donor data and moves management tracking, pipeline management, and reporting. Ensure that donor recognition and stewardship is conducted in a timely manner.
• Serve as project lead for grant opportunities, overseeing proposal development, and supporting project related activities and financials, tracking relevant grant submission dates, benchmarks, and milestones.
• In collaboration with the Vice President and Marketing, oversee the creation of donor-facing communications, such as pitch decks, reports, and written and online appeals. Leverage data, results, and stories in communications.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and management of the annual Survivor Wealth Summit.

Serve as a member of the senior management team, department leader, and champion for FreeForm’s mission and values

• In partnership with the senior management team, engage in strategic decision-making, short and long-term strategic planning and development and implementation of organizational strategies, policies, and practices.
• Oversee all administrative/operational duties of the department, e.g. budget creation, expense monitoring, technology systems.
• Supervise, mentor, and support the professional development of a 3-member development team comprised of a Director of External Relations, Senior Fundraising Strategist, and Senior Fundraising Manager.
• Become a knowledgeable ambassador for FreeFrom with an understanding of the context, trends, and key players working in the movement against gender-based violence.

WHO YOU ARE

• An enthusiastic advocate for FreeFrom’s mission and values. You are inspired to grow a successful program that is working to dismantle the nexus between gender-based violence and financial insecurity. You thrive on a team that embodies activism, advocacy, and an egalitarian, feminist, survivor-centered philanthropy.
• A versatile and well-rounded fund development professional. You bring at least 10 years of work experience in major gift fundraising, with a track record of prospecting, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding institutional and individual supporters. You enjoy the donor-facing and behind-the-scenes aspects of fundraising.
• A “big picture” thinker with the ability to implement tactically. You approach fundraising through an analytical and data-driven lens and is hands-on in translating strategy into tangible activities and goals. You integrate fundraising best practices with new thinking and approaches. You are comfortable taking risks and trying out innovative fundraising strategies.
• A compassionate people leader who leverages individuals’ strengths. You have experience in managing and coaching direct reports and lay leaders for high performance and accountability. You give and receive feedback in order to motivate, hold staff accountable, and promote professional and personal growth.
• A thoughtful relationship builder who develops rapport easily and fosters long-term connections. You have a warm, energetic, and authentic personality that translates to building lasting relationships with a range of personalities. You are a natural networker with the ability to deepen existing relationships and develop new ones.
• A compelling writer, storyteller, and communicator. You are skilled in analyzing, breaking down, and communicating ideas in ways that inspire others to action. You leverage data and stories to create narratives that articulate the “why” behind an organization’s mission and impact.  Grant writing experience is required.
• A well-organized and resourceful project manager. You are experienced in leading and prioritizing multiple projects and workstreams. You take full ownership of your work product and operate with a high attention to detail. You are proficient in donor relationship management tools (Salesforce or equivalent) and utilize technology to track data for the full donor lifecycle.
• A positive, action-oriented, and collaborative team member. You possess a “get it done” attitude, with the ability to stay focused and nimble in a dynamic environment. You bring positivity, creativity, patience, and flexibility to your work.

WORK LOCATION, TRAVEL, SALARY & BENEFITS

This is a 100% remote position that can work from anywhere in the US, with a strong preference for an LA, SF Bay Area, or NYC home base. Salary is $160,000. Benefits include:

• 4- or 5-day work week option (40 hours total)
• Unlimited paid vacation + vacation stipend
• 8 weeks office closures annually
• Building wealth stipend
• Personal and professional growth stipend
• Gender-based violence paid and protected leave
• Technology stipend
• Unlimited menstrual leave
• 401k with a 5% employer match
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• 100% covered health, vision and dental insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Additional optional benefits including legal, accident and pet insurance

APPLICATION PROCESS

If this opportunity speaks to you, please apply with your 1) a thoughtful cover letter that explains why FreeForm’s work excites you and why this role is a fit for you, 2) your resume, and 3) a fundraising-related writing sample (e.g. a grant LOI, donor appeal, annual report.) Please address your cover letter to Sonya Passi, Chief Executive Officer. We review applications on a rolling basis and strive to get back to applicants within two weeks.

Folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, people of color, disabled, parents, are/have been system impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply.

FreeFrom has retained DH Search to support the search for a Vice President of Development. DH Search partners with mission-driven organizations to hire the people they need to create a more just and equitable world. Learn more at www.dhsearch.net.