Chicago Regional Director

BACKGROUND

The New Israel Fund (NIF) was founded in 1979 to advance civil rights and social justice for all Israelis, and to promote the belief that the only secure Israel is a just Israel. An international partnership of Israelis, Americans, Canadians and Europeans, NIF has pioneered the funding of Israel's social change organizations and advocacy groups, and is widely credited with transforming the social justice and human rights communities in Israel. Since it's founding, NIF has granted more than $200 million to 800 national and community-based Israeli organizations. With grants and technical assistance to hundreds of nonprofits, NIF is in the vanguard of fighting for social change in Israel.

The New Israel Fund partners with philanthropists and foundations in joint initiatives, including a multi-year program funded by the Ford Foundation to promote peace and social justice in Israel. Another joint program, the Green Environment Fund, is the first funding collaboration in Israel to protect and preserve the environment. NIF is also partnering with another U.S. foundation and with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee to advance infrastructure development for the Negev Bedouin.

To develop strong leadership in the public interest community, the NIF sponsors fellowships and internships for Israelis interested in public service. NIF Law Fellows, who spend a year studying and interning in the United States, are today's leaders in Israel's public interest legal community. NIF's internship programs are expanding opportunities for Israelis to engage in community service.

NIF grantees work in three core areas:

· Civil and Human Rights: NIF grantees such as B'Tselem and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel have won court battles on critical issues, including the prohibition of torture in civilian interrogations and changes in the route of the separation fence to respect humanitarian concerns. Other grantees work on issues ranging from evenhanded urban planning and land sales to women's and minority rights.

· Social and Economic Justice: With many disadvantaged minority groups, from citizen Arabs to Ethiopians to Mizrachim, Israel has a special responsibility to observe its founders' vision and values of "freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel." Racism, injustice and extremism are contrary to Jewish values and threaten Israel's long-term security. NIF grantees organize communities, advocate for equitable government policies and empower disadvantaged Israelis to help their communities and themselves.

· Religious Pluralism and Tolerance: NIF has long been a principal supporter of a pluralistic and tolerant Israeli culture that includes diverse approaches to Judaism and Jewish identity. NIF grantees are in the forefront of the struggle for civil marriage and other life-cycle events, recognition of non-Orthodox conversions and the equal and unbiased allocation of government resources.

Through SHATIL, the Empowerment and Training Center for Social Change Organizations, NIF provides hands-on assistance and training in the basics of nonprofit management. Widely regarded as one of the world's most successful capacity-building organizations, SHATIL regularly originates, discovers and disseminates best practices to Israel 's growing NGO sector.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, the NIF employs 35 people in the United States, Canada and the UK, as well as more than 90 staffers in six Israeli offices in Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheva, Rosh Pina, the Triangle and Lod. NIF has an annual operating budget of approximately $25 million. The budget incorporates multiple funding sources, including the annual campaign, donor advised funds and gifts designated for special projects. The 2006 Annual Campaign raised approximately $14.6 million, as compared to $12.9 million in 2005. NIF has an endowment of approximately $6.5 million. In 2006, NIF undertook a full review and analysis of its financial resource development activities with the assistance of a consulting team from CCS Fund Raising.

For more information on the New Israel Fund, please see www.nif.org.

POSITION

NATURE AND SCOPE OF WORK:
This position reports to the National Development Director, and works closely other NIF staff throughout the United States and with Chicago-based members of the NIF Board and International Council. In addition to managing a portfolio of donors (chiefly providing support of $5,000 - $50,000 annually), the individual will seek to expand this base of donors in the region by networking with existing donors, community leadership, and individuals who are identified as matching the NIF donor profile. As appropriate, the incumbent will plan and implement community outreach programming to further these objectives. S/he serves as primary spokesperson and advocate for NIF's programs and mission in the region. S/he will be responsible for developing and meeting annual fundraising goals. NIF will assume responsibility for providing technological and administrative support from the Washington, D.C. office.

NIF is looking for an experienced fundraising executive who will embrace NIF's mission and can work collaboratively with colleagues in all parts of the organization. All candidates should be committed to Israel and NIF's mission of social justice and social change. Candidates should also have significant experience in management and fundraising and a track record in cultivating and nurturing individual, group, and community partnerships. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Familiarity with Raiser's Edge and/or other leading fundraising software is an advantage.

RESPONSIBILITIES

· Develop and execute an overall fundraising campaign strategy designed to substantially increase fundraising revenue in the region, with emphasis on expanding the focus on major gift cultivation and solicitation, increasing the donor base.

· Direct a focused effort to utilize current contacts, donor research and the resources and contacts of the board, volunteer leadership to identify, cultivate and steward potential new major donors.

· Work with appropriate professional and lay leadership to identify new opportunities and strategies to increase the annual campaign and the success of special events.

· Arrange appropriate opportunities, in collaboration with other NIF staff, for the Chief Executive Officer, Board members, and selected program staff to meet with prospective supporters, donors and volunteers in forums designed to engender increased interest in, and support for the NIF.

· Assume responsibility of a portfolio of major donor solicitations.

· Work closely with staff, board and volunteer leadership to retain existing donors and to increase the commitment and engagement of those donors.

· Work with program staff to understand the scope of NIF's programs to make a compelling case for presentation to prospective donors and craft specific giving opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Experience managing a multi-faceted fundraising operation as a senior fundraiser.

· Successful track record in fundraising, especially in the areas of: the creation and execution of an overall fundraising strategy, individual major gifts, and special events,

· Team builder able to thrive in a collegial environment, relate to a diverse staff and work as part of a senior management team.

· Experience in staff recruitment, hiring/firing, mentoring, motivation, supervision and evaluation.

· Experience and knowledge of donor prospecting, donor research, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.

· Previous responsibility and experience in working with volunteer committees and high-level donors.

· High energy, initiative, confidence, creativity, intellectual curiosity, flexibility and sensitivity. A demonstrated builder and entrepreneur.

· Superior oral and written communication skills and political savvy.

· Comfort with public presentations and the role of a spokesperson.

· Comfort with cross cultural sensitivities and diversity is very important

· Commitment to the New Israel Fund's mission.

COMPENSATION

An attractive and competitive compensation package will be available.

APPLICATION INFORMATION