Associate Director, Connecticut

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF); New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401k/403b match

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

FSA

Paid holidays

Sick days

Vacation

Job summary

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) in Connecticut seeks a mission-driven fundraising professional with at least five years of frontline experience to secure major gifts, engage donors, and grow community support. You will analyze prospects, lead stewardship, and coordinate events with regional and national teams.

You’ll travel to communities, work evenings and weekends, and build a robust donor network while advancing the FIDF mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• A minimum of 5 years front-line fundraising experience.
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written; ability to present clearly and inspire.
• Excellent interpersonal diplomatic skills; able to lead with integrity and inspire volunteers.
• Be enthusiastic, organized, and able to handle multiple projects under pressure.
• A passion for the FIDF mission and ability to influence others.
• Experience using donor management database systems to maximize fundraising results.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office; Raiser's Edge or similar CRM knowledge.
• Experience writing engaging newsletters/brag sheets for donors.
• Demonstrated experience using social media to promote events.

Responsibilities

• Secure major gifts.
• Primary donor engagement and stewardship of the Connecticut community.
• Develop new communities in Connecticut; focus on Connecticut.
• Identify prospective donors through analysis, networking, outreach, and engagement strategies.
• Develop and cultivate donor relationships to increase annual giving.
• Coordinate fundraising activities including events and parlor meetings.
• Participate in active solicitation according to annual plan and goals.
• Support a women’s division and assist in solicitation from this division.
• Develop and support a cadre of volunteers for donor solicitation and stewardship.
• Assist with cultivation of Foundations.
• Develop recognition campaigns online and offline.
• Work evenings and weekends; some travel within Connecticut.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Donor engagement

Fundraising strategy

Communication skills

Relationship building

Project management

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Job description

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is a humanitarian nonprofit that provides life-changing support for the courageous young men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). We transform their lives through empowering educational, financial, well-being, and cultural initiatives as they protect the State of Israel and her people. Inspired by them, we strive to champion a culture of courage worldwide, ensuring a secure and thriving Israel today and forever.

Our community of supporters and staff are passionate, courageous, and impactful. Our work is driven by core values that transcend gender, age, political leanings, nationality, and religion. Our vital mission and breadth of programs resonate with a diverse array of supporters – all are welcome!

FIDF spans 23 chapters across the United States, proudly offering a variety of innovative programs and opportunities. Our workplace is vibrant and dynamic, encouraging bold creativity, ingenuity, and vision. We’re searching for new talent to contribute to our mission and team.

About You

You are mission-driven with a broad range of interests, solid technical aptitude, and an eagerness to contribute and grow. You have a can-do attitude, a customer-service approach, and enjoy working collaboratively. You have initiative, coupled with a sense of competitive drive, and the ability to stay focused on results.

You are willing to take risks and are not afraid to ask for help. You have the interest and flexibility to travel regularly to multiple communities to build our brand and establish an FIDF identity in new and underserved communities. You seek a caring team culture that supports not only investing in our donor relationships but also in the strong connections among staff who are the root of our success. You are excited to work with our Regional and National teams to elevate each other’s work.

• Ability to secure major gifts.
• Primary donor engagement and stewardship of the Connecticut community.
• Develop new communities in Connecticut, Focus on Connecticut.
• Identify prospective donors through analysis, networking, outreach, and engagement strategies.
• Develop and cultivate one-to-one relationships with lower, mid, big level donors to increase annual giving.
• Coordinate fundraising activities including but not limited to community wide events, parlor meetings, etc.
• Participate in active solicitation of existing and potential donors according to an annual work plan and fundraising goal.
• Support an active women’s division and assist in solicitation from this new division.
• Develop and support a cadre of volunteers to assist with donor solicitation, engagement, and stewardship.
• Assist with the cultivation of Foundations.
• Develop an online and offline recognition campaign.
• Work during some evening and weekend events.
• Some travel within Connecticut.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills and/or Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• A minimum of 5 years front-line fundraising experience.
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written; skill in presenting oneself and communication in a manner that is clear, effective and inspiring.
• Excellent interpersonal diplomatic skills, along with the ability to lead with integrity and inspiration; must be flexible and able to work with volunteer lay leaders.
• Possess high levels of enthusiasm and energy; be self-motivated, organized and able to work well under pressure and handle multiple projects at one time.
• A passion for the FIDF mission and the ability to communicate it and influence others.
• Experience using donor management database systems to maximize fundraising results.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); Raiser’s Edge database knowledge a plus, or similar CRM.
• Experience writing and creating engaging newsletters and/or brag sheets for donors.
• Demonstrated experience using social media as a platform to promote and communicate Westchester and National events.

Medical, Dental, Vision, Early dismissal for Shabbat, 403b with employer matching, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, FSA, Jewish and Federal paid holidays, Sick days and Vacation