Founded by former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu in 2018, E Pluribus Unum (EPU) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to build a more equitable and inclusive South, uprooting the barriers that have long divided the region by race and class.
About The Organization
EPU focuses on cultivating and empowering courageous leaders who are focused on racial equity, changing the divisive narratives that perpetuate systemic and interpersonal racism, and championing transformative policy change. By building a series of initiatives to empower leaders, EPU champions policies to reverse the enduring harms of America's Jim Crow era. These leaders are committed to realizing an inclusive vision for a new South for those who still experience those harms today and aim to shift people's attitudes and behaviors by changing the narratives that perpetuate systemic and interpersonal racism. Incubated by Emerson Collective, EPU has grown to a team of 11 and an annual budget of approximately $6M.
E Pluribus Unum aims to build a more just, inclusive, and equitable South through advancing social change & racial equity through three pillars: Leadership Acceleration, Policy and Research, and Narrative Change. Recognizing the intersectionality among these focus areas, the organization provides programming that supports and invests in courageous leaders, funds the data and research to support the ideas of those leaders, leverages those learnings to accelerate policy change, and uses storytelling to change false narratives.
Learn more about the organization and its programming here: https://www.unumfund.org/.
More about the Organization
About The Role
E Pluribus Unum is seeking a driven and experienced fundraising leader to serve as its Head of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships. Working closely with the Executive Director, the Head of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships will serve as a key leadership team member and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting the fundraising approach of EPU. The Head of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships will create the structure and systems needed to increase and diversify EPU's annual revenue goal. Reporting directly to the Executive Director and collaborating with the team and Board, the Head of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships will design a revenue strategy that focuses on institutional investments from large foundations and corporations. Additionally, they will potentially build and grow a fundraising team over time, while leveraging the existing resources and functions within the organization, to meet their goals. In partnership with the leadership team, this position will expand EPU's base of financial support to build an enduring and impactful institution.
Specific Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To
Revenue Generation
- Implement a comprehensive plan for identifying potential funders and securing commitments primarily from national and regional foundations to fund general operations as well as priority policy initiatives to support a growing budget of $7-$10 million over the next few years
- Expand and diversify E Pluribus Unum's donor base of institutional partners, and explore potential additional revenue streams around major gifts and corporate partnerships.
- Work closely with communications team to develop, draft, and execute proposals in the voice of EPU; oversee all proposal strategies with a long-term relationship-management approach
- Research funding sources and trends, with foresight, to help position E Pluribus Unumn ahead of major funding changes or trends
- Monitor all donor information; provide and present statistical analysis to board and senior team members to inform asks
- Support board members when involved in fundraising strategy; has experience leveraging board connections to expand fundraising prospects
Strategic Leadership
- Actively work with the Executive Director and senior team to develop and implement a short- and long-term comprehensive development strategy to include primarily foundations, as well as a few individuals, etc. to fund general operations as well initiatives that invest in the local change agents, influence policy, and tell compelling stories
- Collaborate closely with the Executive Director and senior team members, and other team members as needed, to set the organization up for success when securing funding
- Possess the ability to think creatively when making asks and cultivating donors to ensure the best long-term value proposition for the organization
- Proactively design and execute new and creative donor engagement strategies; develop and implement the necessary processes and systems to ensure that scheduling, logistics, and execution of development activities and events in the region are seamless
- Assist as appropriate with strategic planning, organizational planning, and enhancement, including advising leadership on a long-term staffing structure for the fundraising team
Relationship Management
- Manage current foundation and institutional relationships
- Generate new leads to expand current donor pool beyond existing partnerships
- Develop and implement a stewardship program aimed at cultivating deeper ties with donors
- Establish close working relationships with senior team and other staff to support E Pluribus Unum's culture of philanthropy and approach to development
- Support and partner with the Executive Director, leadership team, and board members on all major fundraising initiatives
Required Skills And Experience
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
- 7-plus years of development experience required, with demonstrated increasing responsibility and success, especially in securing support from institutional investors
- A clear understanding of racial justice and equity issues, and the capacity to engage deeply and speak competently with others around these issues and across lines of difference required; knowledge of these issues in relationship to the South and its culture and policies required
- Familiarity with policy, leadership development, or social change / movement building fundraising highly preferred
- Understanding of having expanded and cultivated existing funder relationships over time
- Success in overseeing grants that increase revenue from new and existing sources
- Experience successfully managing key internal and external stakeholders and relationships
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of funders and build long-term relationships
- Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside of EPU
- High energy and passion for the EPU's mission is essential
- Ability to construct, articulate, and implement annual strategic development plan as well as set metrics and success according to the current strategic plan
- Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
- Bachelor's degree preferred
- Experience identifying and implementing new systems is a plus
Benefits
Generous PTO
401(k) with employer match
Health insurance coverage
Additional Details
Location is remote/flexible, with New Orleans, LA or Washington, DC preferred.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Qualified individuals, please apply at: https://www.on-ramps.com/jobs/2913
As an organization centered on advancing racial equity, EPU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds. EPU believes social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
On-Ramps is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact info@on-ramps.com.
