We are seeking an experienced, committed and dynamic Project Coordinator to join the Children's Defense Fund’s (CDF’s) Development team and help us raise funds for programs that make a difference in the lives of children. We are a national non-profit organization that is passionate about making a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable population. This position reports to the Chief Development Officer (CDO).

Mission of the Children's Defense Fund

The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind^® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor children, children of color and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown.

CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by individual donations, foundation, corporate and government grants.

Position Overview

Working closely with the CDO and Development department and state office staff, the Project Coordinator is responsible to coordinate a wide array of projects to ensure they are on track and are completed by their deadline. The Project Coordinator will be directly responsible for certain projects and will be assigned to coordinate and facilitate the completion of other projects involving the CDO and/or other Development team members.

Responsibilities

1. Monitor and collect up-to-date progress reports and key (fundraising and analytics) metrics for CDF’s Development team activities. Prepare reports summarizing progress, results and any delays affecting the ability to meet deadlines.

2. Assume primary responsibility for completion of CDF’s annual employee workplace giving applications, including but not limited to the Combined Federal Campaign, the World Bank, individual state employee campaigns and selected corporate campaigns.

3. Assume primary responsibility for coordinating and ensuring that CDF’s charitable registrations are current and that renewals are submitted on a timely basis each year.

4. Coordinate production jobs and deadlines with printers and other vendors for Development fundraising campaigns (e.g., direct mail appeals) and collateral materials.

5. Research CDF story resource libraries for photo stock, video files and impact stories. When gaps are identified for resource needed to support a particular fundraising campaign or initiative, coordinate with appropriate CDF program staff (national and/or state) in conjunction with the CDO to secure fresh content.

6. Support the CDO as needed in managing their personal relational fundraising portfolio of approximately 150 key donors and prospective donors, including mail correspondence, scheduling face-to-face meetings and ensuring that a moves management plan is in place for each relationship.

7. Track follow-up steps for each Development team member associated with a given fundraising campaign or initiative to ensure timely completion. Identify specific delays and work with the CDO and appropriate Development team members to resolve barriers to progress.

8. Assist the CDO in monitoring and tracking progress against Development’s annual fundraising goals and expenditures against Development’s annual expense budget. Identify with the CDO the need to make prioritization decisions when expenditures may exceed budgeted levels.

9. Assist the CDO in completing internal reports and related design elements (charts, graphics, etc.) for CDF leadership, state directors, the national board and key board and advisory board meetings.

10. In coordination with the CDO provide initial response to external contacts and inquiries related to CDF fundraising efforts and opportunities.

11. Manage and complete additional assignments from the CDO, and assist when appropriate and possible with other Development team initiatives and projects.
     

Qualifications

• At least five years of experience in project management. Experience in nonprofit fundraising and/or nonprofit programs is preferred.

• Demonstrated passion for CDF’s mission;

• Demonstrated experience and success in internal and external relationship cultivation by phone and email. This is critical as this position will often serve as the representative of the CDO or CDF generally when conducting initial outreach or response to fundraising inquiries or opportunities;

• Demonstrated knowledge of and skills in writing succinctly with excellent grammar, spelling and proof-reading Attention to detail is imperative;

• Ability to produce high quality documents utilizing Microsoft Office including proficiency with Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Demonstrated ability to create charts and graphs which visually convey complex data or concepts;

• Ability to interface with a variety of audiences, including CDF Development team members, staff from other CDF departments and offices, foundation staff, corporate donors, community stakeholders, and occasionally CDF board members;

• A self-starter, capable of working independently and under tight and sometimes competing deadlines. Ability to manage multiple conflicting deadlines and maintain disciplined adherence to individual and team goals;

• This position may require occasional travel;

• Experience and proficiency in working with donor database software, preferably Raiser's Edge;

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree.

Salary commensurate with experience. Attractive benefits package.

To apply submit cover letter, resume and salary requirement
 

THE CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER