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National AIDS Memorial

Director of Philanthropy

THE ORGANIZATION

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The National AIDS Memorial, located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, is a dedicated space in the national landscape where millions of Americans touched directly or indirectly by AIDS can gather to heal, hope, and remember. The idea for the Memorial was conceived in 1988 by a small group of San Francisco residents representing a community devastated by the AIDS epidemic, but with no positive way to express their collective grief.

 

Over the past twenty-eight years, the physical and spiritual landscape of the 10-acre Memorial has changed dramatically, as has the landscape of HIV/AIDS. Thousands of volunteers have created and sustained what is now an award-winning, model section of Golden Gate Park. In addition to the 10-acre site in Golden Gate Park, the National AIDS Memorial has created and grown nationally recognized programs, including the Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship Program; the ‘Surviving Voices’ oral history archives; World AIDS Day National Observance; and a major annual “Light in the Grove” fundraising event held on the eve of World AIDS Day.
 

In 2020, the National AIDS Memorial will embark on an historic project, bringing the AIDS Memorial Quilt back to San Francisco from Atlanta where it has been housed since 2001. The Memorial will now become the sole custodian and curator of this important national treasure, internationally recognized as the largest community folk art project and memorial to those who have died of AIDS related causes. The Quilt remains one of the most powerful social justice teaching tools ever created, reflecting the countless hours of work by family, friends and other volunteers to produce hand-sewn panels that transformed loss and heartbreak into healing and hope.  
 

The National AIDS Memorial will continue to provide, in perpetuity, a place of remembrance so that the lives of those who died from AIDS are never forgotten. As the nation’s only federally designated memorial to AIDS, the Memorial also has a significant national calling and moral responsibility to place the lives of those who were lost or affected by the disease in the larger historical context of the American response to the crisis.

 

The National AIDS Memorial currently has an annual budget of over $1.5M with three full-time employees (both its budget and staff will grow in the years ahead). The Memorial is funded entirely by private donations from individual donors as well as corporate and foundation funders. Today, it operates under the fiscal sponsorship of the Tides Center. To learn more, please visit http://www.aidsmemorial.org.
 

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THE POSITION

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The Director of Philanthropy (DOP) is a newly created position, responsible for the leadership, strategic direction, planning and execution of the National AIDS Memorial's annual and long-term fundraising program. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director (ED) and board on strategies to increase support from a diverse group of individual and institutional funders, both regionally and nationally. They will be responsible for building a robust development program by strengthening important components of the Memorial’s fundraising operation, including annual, major and planned giving, corporate and foundation giving, events, donor recognition and development operations.

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The successful candidate will be asked to develop and implement an agency-wide fundraising plan and to work with and develop the fundraising capabilities of the board and other volunteers. Reporting to the ED, the DOP will work collaboratively with colleagues to build a culture of philanthropy at the organization, educating colleagues and volunteers about fundraising best practices, working with leadership to identify fundraising priorities and developing strategies to make the case for support. The Director will manage the Development Manager.
 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

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  • Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising program to achieve the Memorial’s annual and long-term fundraising goals. Provide strategic, creative leadership and implementation of all development related activities for the organization

  • Develop and grow a major giving program ($2.5K+) to meet annual goals and other fundraising priorities. Meet regularly with prospects/donors to cultivate and solicit support

  • Identify and pursue opportunities to enhance planned/legacy giving as well as gifts that will help to build the Memorial’s endowment and long-term future

  • Strengthen and build relationships with institutional funders, particularly diversifying and increasing support from foundations and increasing outreach to corporations

  • Provide strategic, long-term vision in support of new and updated systems that will expand the donor and prospect base and streamline operations, including gift processing and acknowledgement

  • Work in partnership with the ED and board to build the organization’s philanthropic capabilities. Provide counsel and direction regarding fundraising. Leverage board and staff relationships to maximize development opportunities

  • Create a culture of philanthropy throughout and for the organization

  • Lead, plan and manage the Memorial’s external fundraising, cultivation and community events. Conduct a strategic review of the Memorial’s program of annual events

  • Explore ways to utilize technology and innovative fundraising tools more effectively to increase revenue and donor engagement  

  • Develop and implement donor acquisition activities/initiatives to increase operating support and the number of new or potential donors   

  • Serve as an ambassador of the Memorial throughout the U.S., representing the organization through public speaking engagements and community outreach

  • Oversee the production of fundraising collateral, including proposals, annual appeal letters, correspondence, reports and other pieces


     

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

 

Experience
 

  • A minimum of five to seven years of development experience with proven success in both individual and institutional giving

  • Experience strengthening a development program  

  • Experience successfully raising major and planned gifts with a proven track record in donor cultivation and moves management

  • Experience creating new funding opportunities and making a compelling case for support

  • Experience serving in the role of counselor/mentor to board members, volunteers and colleagues while supporting and building their capabilities in fundraising and advocacy

  • Experience in events management and event fundraising

  • Experience managing or leading a staff

  • Experience assessing a development program and creating and implement a development plan that is successful in increasing support and donor engagement over time

  • Experience writing proposals, appeals and other development/marketing communications

  • Consistent achievement in meeting and exceeding annual fundraising goals

  • Experience developing and implementing capital campaign initiatives, a plus
     

Education

 

  • A Bachelor’s degree is required.


 

COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES

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The successful professional will have or be:

 

  • Commitment to the National AIDS Memorial’s mission and vision with knowledge of and sensitivity to HIV/AIDS communities

  • Strategic, organized and able to consistently balance multiple, competing priorities

  • Highly entrepreneurial; resourceful and flexible; able to anticipate and act on events and opportunities that advance the Memorial’s mission, locally, regionally and nationally

  • A natural connector with constituencies at all levels and the ability to build new relationships

  • Straightforward and self-possessed; one who shares information readily, listens to - as well as gives - advice and respects the abilities of others; diplomatic

  • Team builder with strong skills in management and leadership

  • Energetic and willing to work hands-on in developing and executing fundraising activities. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends  

  • Advanced technology skills; proficient in the MS Office Suite and experienced with donor/CRM databases; Salesforce and Netsuite experience highly desired

  • Sense of humor and the ability to work joyfully in a fast-paced small-office environment

  • Effective and persuasive written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate the National AIDS Memorial’s mission and vision to a broad audience

  • Strong financial skills, including the ability to develop and review budgets and to develop management reports that present a clear financial picture of fundraising activities

  • Experience interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds

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COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

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This is a full-time, exempt position. A competitive salary and generous employee benefits package will be offered. To be considered for this position or for additional information on the opportunity, please contact or send resume to:
 

David N. Randall
Principal

Randall Search Associates

415 767 3814

david@randallsearchassociates.com

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The National AIDS Memorial is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing the leadership skills of people from diverse backgrounds. The National AIDS Memorial is a project of Tides Center.

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