DEVELOPMENT WRITER

Job description

The Jane Goodall Institute USA seeks a Development Writer to be based in USA Headquarters office in Washington, DC. The Development Writer is responsible for writing and editing persuasive fundraising proposals and compelling stewardship materials, accurate and individualized reports, as well as other fundraising marketing collateral. The Writer must be an efficient collaborator working with team members in Development, Program teams, Communications & Partnerships (C&P), Office of the Founder (OOF), and Finance departments to coordinate the gathering of information needed to advance JGI’s fundraising goals and share the impact of JGI’s programmatic work with donors and prospective donors.

The Development Writer, working with the Business Development team, will create fundraising collateral as well as review and copy edit materials that accurately describe the impact of JGI’s work to increase funding from individual major donors and appropriately and effectively report back and steward large individual donations. The position will also work with the Development team to support the creation of donor-centered stewardship pieces.

Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) USA is an international non-governmental organization that continues Dr. Jane Goodall’s pioneering animal research and global conservation mission. The breadth of the Jane Goodall Institute’s work reflects Dr. Goodall’s personal philosophy that the survival of all species depends upon collaboration, community, and valuing individuals’ contributions.

Work Responsibilities

DEVELOPMENT STEWARDSHIP WRITING & INDIVIDUALIZED DONOR REPORT CREATION (50%)

• In conjunction with the Development team, collaborate on the development, strategy, content, design, and production of Development stewardship materials including donor stewardship reports, programmatic updates, individual donor progress reports, and other creative stewardship pieces.
• Cultivate sources and identify and initiate opportunities to strategically communicate with donors and prospective donors about JGI’s achievements and report back on the impact of donor investment in JGI’s work.
• Collaborate with Development, C&P, and Program teams to identify, curate, craft, and showcase compelling stories that convey JGI’s mission.
• Serve as a reviewer and editor of reports provided by program managers and field office leadership ensuring they advance Development strategies, are compelling to the donor audience, are error free and cohesive with the tone of Development communications, and align with the JGI brand guidelines, voice, and existing templates.
• Build and manage a calendar of required timing of individual report deadlines for donors, monitoring timelines to ensure reports are delivered on time.
• Monitor and track results of stewardship materials and prepare reports and performance analyses as requested.

DONOR PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT & FUNDRAISING COLLATERAL CREATION (40%)

• In partnership with the Business Development team, conceptualize, research, write, and edit high-quality and persuasive fundraising proposals, in conjunction with Development, Program teams, C&P, OOF, and Finance teams.
• Collaborate and execute on all steps of the proposal development process for assigned proposals, gather programmatic information, compile financials and budgets, etc. to ensure appropriate and accurate proposal submissions.
• Participate in donor engagement and assist in developing cultivation materials and solicitations with the goal of identifying and acquiring new potential donors.
• Create compelling print and digital materials that advance JGI’s fundraising goals such as case statements, fundraising program handouts, fundraising collateral, and stewardship communications.
• Maintain records of proposals, current proposal status, donor reporting requirements, and revenue pipeline reporting in JGI’s database of record.
• Participate in conferences, exhibitions, and other venues to increase job experience and contribute to JGI’s visibility in the industry as needed.

DEVELOPMENT-RELATED BOARD & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WRITING SUPPORT (10%)

• Write and edit philanthropy-related content for JGI’s Executive Director, Chairman of the Board, and VP of Development including custom letters and acknowledgements, high-level donor correspondence, special donor gifts, talking points, and presentations related to fundraising and donor engagement as needed.

• Draft correspondence to donors and prospective donors on behalf of the senior management team as needed.

• Draft background documents, meeting briefings, and talking points for senior staff in advance of donor meetings and events as requested.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 5+ years of experience with demonstrated success in writing individual giving fundraising proposals and direct involvement with writing, designing, and executing individualized donor stewardship plans at a non-profit organization.
• Experience with conservation and environmental organizations preferred.
• Sophisticated communication skills, both oral and written, and demonstrated ability to communicate with a diverse donor base both as a group and as individuals.

Additional Characteristics and Attributes

• Commitment and daily demonstration of Jane and the Institute’s fundamental belief that every individual has a role to play and are empowered to contribute in an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming professional community.
• Strong evidence of ability to understand and meet the stewardship needs of donor constituencies, including high-net worth individuals and family foundations.
• Concise, persuasive, and versatile writing style for different mediums, audiences, and subject matter.
• Successful experience working collaboratively with colleagues across multiple diverse teams and all levels of staff.
• Committed to driving activity that achieves or exceeds individual and team goals.
• Superior creative ability and eye for design.
• Must be energetic, self-directed, detail-oriented, and able to work confidently and successfully in a fun, fast-paced development operation.
• Absolute discretion and personal integrity in maintaining confidentiality and sensitivity with prospect and donor information.
• Knowledge of fundraising databases such as Raisers Edge or Salesforce.

The candidate must be an excellent writer and communicator with proven experience in major gift donor proposal and report writing, who can adopt appropriate writing styles for different constituencies and different audience goals, while ensuring the communications are accurate, reflect the mission and values of JGI, and support the goals of the Development team. They must be a deadline driven project manager, who can work in a fun, fast-paced environment and create relationships at all levels in the organization. The Development Writer must have the desire to contribute to a positive culture and is committed to advancing the mission of the Jane Goodall Institute.

Work Environment

At the Jane Goodall Institute we believe that when we can bring our whole selves to work on a day-to-day basis, we become happier, more comfortable, more confident, and more excited to do great things for our organization, each other, and our world.

The Jane Goodall Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to being an organization and a community where people thrive by being themselves and are inspired to do their best work every day. We value attracting diverse talent and we cultivate an inclusive environment that encourages collaboration and creativity. We strive to be a diverse workforce and believe that forming teams in which everyone can be their authentic selves from all different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is key to our success.

Come join the Jane Goodall Institute and be a part of a global organization where we are all proud to belong.