Director of Development

Encounter is an educational organization committed to informed, courageous, and resilient Jewish communal leadership on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We educate and equip Jewish communal and civil society leaders with the experiences, networks, and resources they need to proactively and positively shape their constituents’ engagement with Israel as it relates to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our work addresses distinctly political subject matter, but we are resolutely nonpartisan;

we do not promote any specific policies or political positions regarding the conflict. Rather, as an educational organization, we support Jewish leaders and communities in serving as a positive force in the pursuit of a durable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that upholds the dignity, security, and rights of all parties.

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Encounter seeks a Director of Development to lead its fundraising efforts. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and serving as a member of Encounter’s leadership team, the Director of Development plays a critical role in ensuring the success of Encounter through creating and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy. They must have experience in identifying, cultivating and stewarding prospective and current donors and a proven track record of managing foundation grants and relationships.

The successful candidate will be adept at leading a team of two (with plans for future growth), managing across departments to ensure the Development function is positioned to successfully execute a sound strategy to expand the organization’s impact, and driving toward ambitious fundraising goals.

Encounter is a mission-driven, results-oriented, and growing organization with a small but mighty team of thoughtful, dedicated professionals. We care deeply about our work and each other and go to great efforts to support each individual’s unique talents and contributions to drive towards greater impact individually and collectively.

Encounter has a full-time staff of eight and an operating budget of $3.5M.

The Director of Development will create a culture of philanthropy, supervise the development manager and communication manager and is responsible for the organization’s philanthropic revenue.

• Annual Development Plan:
  Lead on the creation and execution of an annual development plan, including target giving goals by level and individual donor/foundation, curated prospect lists, a detailed high-level development calendar, and a strategic moves management calendar by donor/foundation. Update and refine these plans as needed throughout the year.
• Grants and Proposals Calendar:
  Ensure the creation and maintenance of an annual internal calendar of grant proposals and report deadlines for foundations to reflect the execution of Encounter’s strategy to sustain and grow a rapidly scaling institutional funding portfolio. Manage team members to ensure grant proposals and reports are high-quality and completed according to deadlines.

• Prospecting:
  Ensure the system is in place to identify, research, cultivate, steward, and solicit individual donor and foundation prospects. Build a robust pipeline of new potential sources of both individual and institutional support. Research and identify opportunities that align with Encounter’s mission, vision, and strategies.
• Recruiting:
  Work in partnership with team members who oversee program recruitment to ensure the prioritization and inclusion of prospective supporters in Encounter’s programs.

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors, serving as a steward and solicitor.…