Position description
BRAC is an award-winning international non-governmental development organization with the vision of a world free from all forms of exploitation and discrimination, where everyone has the opportunity to realize their potential. BRAC is a leader in developing and implementing cost effective, evidence-based programs to assist poor and disadvantaged communities in low-income countries, including in conflict-prone and post-disaster settings. It is an organization of and for the people of the Global South, pioneering new development and social enterprise approaches to equip communities to achieve prosperity.
Based in New York, BRAC USA is the North American affiliate of BRAC. BRAC USA is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit that strengthens BRAC’s impact by raising awareness about its work, mobilizing resources to support its programs, and amplifying its evidence-based poverty innovations worldwide.
BRAC USA staff work in a remote-first environment that includes both in-office and remote work arrangements. There is a preference for candidates located in the New York area.
Position Summary
BRAC USA is seeking an experienced and strategic fundraising leader to serve as our Director of Individual Philanthropy**.** Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director will lead our individual giving efforts, overseeing a comprehensive strategy to grow philanthropic support from individuals and family foundations.
This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for managing and expanding a portfolio of individual donors with special focus on major and principal donors, driving new donor acquisition, and delivering best-in-class stewardship. The Director will oversee a team and collaborate closely with senior leadership, board members, and colleagues across BRAC’s global network.
Key Responsibilities
Individual Philanthropy (IG)
- Serve as the Individual Philanthropy expert, managing the day-to-day operations of the Individual Philanthropy program.
- Oversee all aspects of BRAC USA’s fundraising from individuals and family foundations. Lead efforts related to prospect identification, research, donor outreach, and other activities.
- Manage and grow a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, moving them through the stages of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Take ownership of developing donor-specific strategies, meeting preparation, and timely follow-up. Ensure regular communication, reporting, and renewals of support.
- Cultivate relationships with new potential donors, partners, and supporters through a variety of engagement strategies and networks, as well as examination of existing donors who may have greater capacity. Build a pipeline of planned giving prospects.
- Plan donor cultivation and stewardship trips and events, including dinners, receptions, relevant speaking engagements, and occasional donor trips to BRAC’s operational countries. Ensure team effectively handles event and travel logistics, including scheduling, list management, invitation preparation and delivery, materials development, event briefing documents, debriefings, and oversight of next actions.
- Lead the development of broad portfolio of fundraising appeals, innovative pitches at varying donation levels, and test new approaches to solicitation with a pro-active mindset.
- Ensure high-quality stewardship of donors, including coordination with colleagues in other BRAC offices, as needed.
- Oversee the production of prospect/donor briefings, ensuring they are completed on time with input from appropriate staff leads.
- Working closely with the Communications team, evaluate and implement strategies for growing BRAC USA’s annual giving donor base with a particular focus on fundraising in the final quarter of the calendar year. Explore and implement opportunities to grow annual fund donors into major donors.
- Collaborate with the Communications team on the creation of donor-facing communications, such as pitch decks, reports, and written and online appeals. Leverage data, results, and stories in communications.
- Oversee development operations, including pipeline and forecasting, revenue reporting, and database use and implementation.
- Develop strategies for resource mobilization for both the global organization and domestic market.
- Become a knowledgeable ambassador for BRAC with an understanding of the context, trends, and key players in global development.
- Ensure up to date technology and systems are working and optimized to support our fundraising efforts including a CRM, and collaborating closely with the communications and digital marketing teams to ensure that the donor acquisition and retention systems work seamlessly.
Board of Directors / Board Engagement
- Coordinate Board member participation in special events, such as dinners and other networking events.
- Regularly attend Board meetings, write reports and present on the progress of the IG program and other prospect/donor engagement activities.
- Coordinate Board member visits to BRAC’s offices in Bangladesh and other countries of operation.
Organizational Leadership and Department Management
- Provide revenue projections and forecasting for quarterly, annual, and multi-year budget planning.
- Maximize the capabilities of the fundraising database to support fundraising from individuals. Oversee the design, execution, and maintenance of relevant database reports, lists, and queries as well as service at the BRAC USA Salesforce point person, including for the global Salesforce integration.
- Oversee all administrative/operational duties of the department, e.g., budget creation, expense monitoring and technology systems.
- Serve as an effective leader of the organization, participate in the active management of the office, and contribute to a positive team and office environment. Offer guidance and mentorship to junior staff and peers.
- Collaborate with the CEO, COO, Board of Directors, staff, and partners to implement BRAC USA’s strategic plan and departmental activities and achieve BRAC USA’s goals.
- Build and manage a high-performing Individual Philanthropy team at BRAC USA to optimize individual, team, and staff performance.
- Serve as an effective senior leader of the organization, participate in the active management of the office, and contribute to a positive team and office environment. Offer guidance and mentorship to junior staff, peers, and senior leadership.
- Model BRAC USA’s values, offer clear direction to the Individual Philanthropy team, set well-defined expectations, and provide constructive feedback that contributes to growth.
- Model cultural competence and humility as a member of a multicultural team that works globally.
- Model and support BRAC USA’s commitment to valuing and supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
- Support BRAC USA’s engagement in OneBRAC initiatives, including global strategy development and implementation.
- Work with senior leadership and the other directors to provide leadership to the BRAC USA team.
Qualifications
Required:
- At least 10 years of professional experience with a strong track record in individual fundraising, or 8 years with a relevant Master’s degree.
- 5+ years in a leadership role managing people and teams.
- Experience and passion for global development fundraising.
- Demonstrated success securing major gifts and developing donor strategies.
- Experience with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and fundraising analytics.
- Excellent communication, writing, and interpersonal skills.
- Strategic thinker with strong project management and organizational skills.
- Passion for global development and BRAC’s mission.
Preferred:
- Familiarity with digital donor engagement tools, planned giving strategies, and board engagement.
- Experience with design tools like Adobe InDesign or Photoshop, and collaboration platforms like Slack or Notion.
Work Environment & Travel
- Hybrid role with preference for NYC-based candidates; remote candidates considered.
- Some travel required, including international travel to BRAC programs.
- Flexible work hours to accommodate global collaboration across time zones.
Compensation & Benefits
This is an outstanding opportunity to support a highly effective, collaborative, and innovative nonprofit.
Application instructions
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