Project for Public Spaces is seeking a Development Manager to manage the organization’s day-to-day fundraising efforts. Reporting to the Co-Executive Directors, this role is responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective management of all aspects of fundraising for the nonprofit organization, which currently has a $2.5 million annual budget with revenue generated from corporate sponsors, fee for service project work, events, publications, and philanthropic support. Project for Public Spaces will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025.
The ideal candidate will have proven experience managing donor relationships for a nonprofit organization, developing and managing fundraising systems and campaigns, excellent time-management and organizational skills, sound judgment, a sense of diplomacy, and a collaborative and proactive approach to their work.
This is a full-time remote position; however, preference will be given to applicants within transit or driving distance of our home base in New York City to allow for occasional in-person meetings.
Primary Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy:
- Work with the Co-Executive Directors to develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive fundraising plan for the organization that drives revenue growth and advances organizational objectives
- Actively participate in planning and execution of the 50th Anniversary Campaign
- Regularly research current philanthropic trends and potential new prospects to propose new avenues for giving
- Develop new strategies to increase philanthropic support from individual donors
Fundraising and Grant Administration:
- Prepare, edit, and submit partnership outlines, proposals, presentations, and reports; collaborate with Program staff to gather relevant content for these materials; and maintain a calendar of, and adhere to, time-sensitive deadlines
- Maintain and improve the system for pipeline management
- In conjunction with the Finance and Project staff, work closely with the organization’s current sponsors and partners to ensure grant expense budgets are developed and managed in alignment with grant goals
- Manage grantor requirements, including reporting and donor listings or other publicity
- Ensure Co-Executive Directors are consistently updated on relationships with key donors and assist in preparing them for donor meetings
- Execute an annual individual giving campaign, building on current and past relationships
Event Sponsorships:
- Work with the Events team to create and promote a sponsorship package for annual conferences
- Research and identify potential new sponsors
- Collaborate with the Events and Communications teams to ensure sponsor benefits are delivered
- Participate in sponsor events at conferences, as needed
- Ensure Co-Executive Directors have sufficient information to meet and greet sponsors
Communication and Organization:
- Work closely with the Communications team to create consistent, compelling language and graphics to increase and cultivate donor engagement
- Coordinate and execute external development communications including donor correspondence and gift acknowledgements
- Coordinate and collaborate on internal development communications including grant reporting and budgeting
- Implement organizational policies, procedures, and internal controls for fundraising to ensure effective compliance with state, federal, and donor/partner/sponsor requirements
- Support preparation of materials for Board of Director meetings
Qualifications and Skills
- Five to seven years’ successful non-profit fundraising experience, preferably with a national reach
- Proven project management ability, including systems building and growth
- Experience in both foundation and corporate fundraising, as well as event sponsorships
- Experience in individual fundraising, including major gifts and implementing and improving giving campaigns
- Ability to maintain positive, collaborative, and productive relationships with supporters and colleagues
- Knowledge of standard nonprofit fundraising protocols and reporting requirements
- Experience in maintaining accurate records and preparing clear and accurate reporting for informational, auditing, and operational use
- Experience interpreting, negotiating, and finalizing contracts, especially sponsorship agreements
- Expert knowledge in Excel and Google applications (Sheets, Docs), experience with AirTable and/or Monday.com a plus
- Ability to work independently, prioritizing workflow to meet critical deadlines and paying close attention to detail
- Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
About Project for Public Spaces
Project for Public Spaces is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces that build strong communities. We are the central hub of the global placemaking movement, connecting people to ideas, resources, expertise, and partners who see place as the key to addressing our greatest challenges.
Project for Public Spaces is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identification, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or veteran status. We believe in creating a workplace based on equal opportunity, and in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, we strive to:
- Hire staff that reflect this country's full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual, and socioeconomic identities;
- Create a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
- Ensure that all members of the Project for Public Spaces community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and
- Remain committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by social inequities.
Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position with a benefits package that includes multiple health insurance options including dental and vision care with an HRA, employee contributed 401(k), and a generous vacation policy as well as 12 paid sick days, two paid personal days, 11 paid holidays, and three floating holidays. The salary is $90,000.
The Project for Public Spaces team works primarily in a remote office environment and meets in-person in New York City once a quarter. Standard working hours are 9:30am - 5:30pm Eastern Monday–Friday, but employees are given flexibility to adjust their schedule within reason.
Application Instructions
To apply, please prepare a cover letter and resume (PDF), and complete this form. Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis beginning October 2 until a candidate is hired. The goal start date is January 2024.
