Philadelphia, PA

The Organization

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker Organization which includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service.  Its work is based on the Quaker belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.

Position Overview

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Application Deadline: May 14, 2018

For consideration, please attach your cover letter and resume to the online application.

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Application Deadline: May 14, 2018

Background

Founded in 1917, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a Quaker organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, AFSC nurtures the seeds of change and respect for human life that transforms social relations and systems.

AFSC is re-energized as it enters its second century of promoting peace and justice around the globe. This, coupled with the increasing demand for our work, the organization is entering a period of re-visioning and renewal. With a new General Secretary, the organization is embarking on a strategic planning process that aligns our work for maximum impact, gives voice to diverse ways of working toward the same goals, and motivates the AFSC community with renewed energy and hope.

The Associate General Secretary for Advancement (AGSA) will play a crucial role in the re-visioning process and provide strategic leadership for the institutional advancement of AFSC. Through the fusion of the development and communications departments, the AGSA will create harmony and shared objectives for the team. The post holder will lead centrally and regionally- based innovative, digital-strong and effective strategies. The organization has loyal donors and recently completed a successful capital campaign. With the AGSA’s leadership, new outreach and fundraising plans to diversify our supporter base and attract new people to join with us as activists, donors, and volunteers will be developed.

Related Organizational Highlights

Development

AFSC successfully concluded the “Courageous Acts” campaign on December 31, 2016 focused primarily on raising endowment dollars. The campaign ended a year ahead of schedule and exceeding the original goal of $35,000,000 to $41,370,808.

Through a major capital investment, AFSC converted from Raiser’s Edge to Salesforce in 2016 to serve as the primary donor management system and core constituent database of record. In addition, it also incorporated EveryAction to serve as AFSC’s primary constituent engagement, donation and advocacy system.

In late 2017 Schultz & Williams completed an assessment of AFSC current Development Program and concluded that AFSC has a high-performing fundraising program that is distinguished by:

• A large and loyal donor base
• A highly competitive “cost per dollar raised” leading to a high “return on investment”
• A commitment to metrics and rigorous analysis
• A dedicated staff across the organization

In addition, the assessment showed room for growth with more potential for grant and major gift income, engaging alumni in support of AFSC, and the need to invest in building up a larger, diverse donor pipeline.

In January 2018, the AFSC Board approved additional capital investments to hire additional key development staff and expand fundraising strategies.

Communications

AFSC’s Communications Department coordinates awareness and constituent engagement plans across the organization. They have built up rapid response, crisis communications, and content marketing strategies that combine video, social media, email, mobile messaging and advocacy, print publications, graphics production, webinars, and face-to-face events to build healthy, lasting relationships with AFSC. In 2017, the award-winning team increased media coverage by 40% year- over-year, coordinated successful centennial and alumni events, and increased online engagement with AFSC by 30%.

In April 2017, AFSC celebrated our 100th anniversary with an activist summit, alumni gathering, academic symposium using AFSC history, and a museum exhibit showing the results of our first century of faithful Quaker service around the world.

Summary of Principal Responsibilities

AFSC seeks a dynamic Associate General Secretary for Advancement to:

• Advance the mission and vision and support organizational priorities by increasing the visibility of AFSC, increasing donors and supporters, and enhancing internal communications;
• Weave together AFSC’s strands of work in collaboration with program units and regional offices so that “the total is greater than the sum of the parts”;
• Build visibility and branding for AFSC to advance public recognition of AFSC relevance;
• Lead the development and communication teams with a goal of raising $30 to $40 million annually;
• Build on strong major donor and planned giving programs, and a strong communications team, work to increase funding from domestic and foreign foundations, governments and individuals, with a focus on sustainable income growth.

The AGSA will have an extensive network in the field of philanthropy and mastery of a broad range of fundraising approaches. In addition, the AGSA will be ready to manage both department’s present multi-million-dollar budgets and 40 staff members located in Philadelphia and several remote locations, inspiring them to work professionally, imaginatively and collaboratively to meet and exceed their goals. The AGSA will be able to develop and lead the strategic planning and growth progressions of the department and will be passionate about raising money to promote AFSC’s mission and programs and should be eager to embrace innovations and experiments in fundraising, online, person-to-person, in the mail, on the phones, and in other formats. The AGSA will serve as a visible spokesperson for AFSC to the donor community and other external constituencies. The AGSA will report to the General Secretary.

The key responsibilities of the Associate General Secretary for Advancement include the following:

1. Work closely to the General Secretary and the Senior Leadership Team to provide key input to the organization’s strategic and operational plans from a development perspective.
2. Develop a comprehensive, strategic and long-term fundraising plan for the AFSC, including annual goals for grants, unrestricted and restricted contributions, planned gifts, bequests and capital funds campaign. Set goals for sustainable income growth through expanding the donor base and increasing revenue. Communicate the plan to the entire organization, evaluating results and updating it
3. Coordinate the work of the Communications Department to build and harmonize digitally-strong communications and marketing plans that support successful fundraising while complimenting program
4. Establish and promote a strong unified advancement vision for both departments. Set a tone for creativity, cooperation, accountability, and professionalism for all who raise money for AFSC. Provide opportunities for continued skills development for all department staff and others in AFSC involved in fundraising.
5. Work closely with the Chief Financial Officer, to strengthen donor stewardship and evaluate investment as well as ensure that partnerships between departments are seamless and in compliance with all regulations and policies.
6. Evaluate the effect of internal and external forces on the organization and its fundraising and recommend short and long-range development initiatives to support the
7. Build strong relationships with senior administrative and program staff, supporting and engaging them in development as needed.
8. Provide training and support to Board members and other volunteers as they fulfill their fundraising responsibilities. Provide staff support to Board Stewardship
9. Provide revenue targets to support the preparation of the annual organizational budget, working closely with all
10. Directly supervise heads within the Development and Communications
11. Monitor fundraising results through clear performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness of fundraising
12. Relate to the top donors. Support the General Secretary and other staff leaders in preparation for donor events and
13. Ensure AFSC compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures as they relate to
14. Maintain accountability standards to donors and ensure compliance with code of ethical principles and standards of professional conduct for fundraising
15. Interpret the interests and concerns of AFSC donors to the General Secretary, Senior Leadership Team, and others regarding significant issues that might affect fundraising capabilities and donor relations.

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a creative, strategic thinker with a proven record of identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors at all levels of giving, cultural backgrounds and ages in order to diversify and increase AFSC’s donor base and leverage local funding opportunities within the diverse AFSC constituencies. The Associate General Secretary for Advancement should have an entrepreneurial spirit, be willing to listen to novel ideas, take risks and effectively collaborate with the AFSC community.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:  Bachelor or Master’s Degree in management or philanthropy-related field desired or equivalent training or experience.

Experience:

1. At least seven years’ experience with demonstrated success in leading fundraising across all revenue streams including foundation, government and individual giving (including planned and major gifts).

Other Required Skills and Abilities:

1. Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non- violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every
2. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse
3. Proven success in achieving fundraising goals and a successful track record of cultivating, soliciting and securing major gifts.
4. Demonstrated success in leading, managing and implementing a fundraising strategy that integrates several channels of fundraising including from diverse communities.
5. Demonstrated experience in international fundraising and grant management and
6. Demonstrated leadership, managerial and organizational learning
7. Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor
8. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with people of other cultures, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds.
9. Ability to facilitate consultative decision-making processes and work with volunteer
10. Experience working with and clear commitment to the principles and practices of diversity and
11. Broad knowledge of AFSC approaches to issues and style of work; ability to speak articulately about AFSC
12. Project executive presence and possess superior communication skills to express, orally and in writing, AFSC’s mission, vision, and goals with clarity, passion, and
13. Willing and able to travel both nationally and
14. Ability to attend evening and weekend meetings, consult outside of normal business hours.

Compensation:  Salary Range starts at $155,000–Exempt – Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.

The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.