STATEMENT OF VISION FOR THE ROLE:

Episcopal Relief & Development is in the middle of a 10-year Strategic Plan, which calls for growth at all levels of the organization. The Vice President of Advancement is expected to play a catalytic role in scaling of the organizations mission by increasing the annual fundraising target of $21M to $30M or more by 2030.

Working strategically in concert with key internal stakeholders – Marketing & Communications, Faith & Community Engagement, Business Development, and Program – the Vice President of Advancement will forge philanthropic relationships and key networks to build the organizations visibility, impact, and financial resources. The VP will expand and diversify the organizations donor base, building a robust pipeline that can deliver resources in the face of external challenges and market competition for dollars.

This highly strategic and hands-on leader will oversee all aspects of philanthropic giving, including major gifts, foundation relations, planned giving, direct response, and donor relations. They will be a passionate advocate for the organization’s mission, effectively communicating its impact to a diverse global donor base, and inspiring deep engagement and financial support. This role requires a leader with a strong commitment to the organization’s faith-based values and the ability to articulate that foundation effectively in fundraising efforts.

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:The Vice President of Advancement is a critically important role at Episcopal Relief & Development, responsible for unlocking long-term and predictable sustainability for the organization and developing a healthy file of committed donors and friends. Reporting directly to the Chief External Relations Officer, the Vice President of Advancement works very closely with the Chief Executive Officer and select board members. They also serve as a leader in the External Relations department, alongside the Vice President for Marketing & Communications and the Vice President for Faith & Community Engagement. Finally, the Vice President for Advancement is also an important member of the organizational Senior Leadership Team, along with Vice Presidents and other leaders of the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: A successful Vice President of Advancement will develop a dynamic and results-driven comprehensive individual donor fundraising program encompassing mass market/direct response, including digital giving and direct mail, as well as major and planned gifts. Additionally, they will help the organization move towards opportunities in corporate giving and matching gifts. In partnership the Program and Business Development teams, a successful Vice President of Advancement will raise funds from major, mid and minor foundations as well. In collaboration with the Faith & Community Engagement team, assist in growing giving from congregations, dioceses, and affiliated church entities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Team and other leadership

• Develop, implement, and continually refine a multi-year comprehensive fundraising strategy with ambitious goals, aligned with the organization’s strategic plan and budget.
• Stay abreast of fundraising trends, best practices, and innovative approaches within the international NGO and faith-based fundraising sectors.
• Provide strategic counsel to the President & CEO, the Chief External Relations Officer, and the Board of Directors on all fundraising matters.
• Collaborate closely with global program, finance, marketing & communications, faith engagement teams to ensure alignment of messaging, impact reporting, and resource allocation.
• Work with the program team and affiliated colleagues in Measurement, Evaluation, and Learning to identify funding opportunities and develop compelling narratives.
• Engage, train and guide Board members to secure their active participation and personal involvement in Episcopal Relief & Developments advancement activities, providing fundraising training to Board members and other senior staff as needed.
• Recruit, lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Advancement team, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented culture.
• Set clear performance goals and provide regular feedback and professional development opportunities for team members.
• Lead the annual planning and budgeting process, as well as managed the budget and resources effectively for the Advancement department.

Fundraising and strategy

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of high-net-worth individual donors, securing significant gifts of five to 7-figures
• Build a successful major gifts program in which all solicitors develop, manage, and forecast from a defined robust pipeline of major and principal gift donors and prospects.
• Partner with the President & CEO, Board members, and program leadership on top-tier donor cultivation and solicitations.
• Oversee the development of compelling proposals and donor communications for major gift prospects.
• Develop and promote a planned giving program to encourage bequests, charitable gift annuities, and other deferred giving vehicles.
• Working with the Director of Direct Response, oversee and guide the development and execution of integrated direct response fundraising campaigns (mail, email, digital, social media) to acquire, retain, and upgrade donors.
• Strengthen the current Sustainers Program for monthly donors
• Identify and pursue opportunities to leverage the President & CEO, Board members, program staff and other stakeholders including clergy in the cultivation of donors and volunteers to increase support for Episcopal Relief & Develo…