Careers

Director of Development

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA), one of the nation’s leading nonprofit consumer advocacy organizations, seeks a full-time development director to head our ongoing fundraising needs. Reporting to and in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Development (Director) will spearhead all fundraising efforts. As a new position in the organization, the Director will have the opportunity to build the development function. This professional must have an established background in successfully developing, coordinating, and implementing nonprofit development strategies.

Responsibilities overview:

  • Develop and execute CFA’s annual and long-term fundraising plans
  • Secure financial support from foundations, corporations, and individuals as appropriate
  • Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with major donors
  • Develop and track proposals and reports for all foundation and corporate fundraising
  • Research and form relationships with funders who are in alignment with CFA’s work and operate in accordance with CFA’s corporate funding policy.

Successful candidate will:

  • Establish a shared organizational culture of philanthropy.
    • Guide effective communication and processes that ensure annual fundraising activity, impactful assets and materials, and accurate record keeping
  • Collaborate with CFA Communications and Membership Outreach Manager to develop and implement a member engagement, retention, and recruitment plan
  • Facilitate strong relationships between donors and CFA staff experts; implement strategies to keep them informed on how their financial contributions are being utilized and how they make impact
  • Partner with the CEO, CFA staff, Board Finance and Audit Committee, and Board members in the execution of donor engagement and solicitation strategies; train staff and volunteer leaders to support fundraising efforts
  • Serve as the primary engagement manager for Board fundraising activities and stewardship
  • Collaborate with the staff and Board on organizing and planning special events
  • Create and implement annual and multi-year development plans, including monetary goals and a system for accurate management.
    • Obtain financial support and sponsorship in accordance with CFA’s mission, vision, and corporate fundraising policies.
  • Prepare, implement, and evaluate strategies for fundraising; personally maintain an active portfolio of major leadership donors and corporate sponsors by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding funds.
  • Leverage current fundraising network to provide support for CFA’s work; maintain ongoing relationships with all donors and effectively motivate donors to provide ongoing financial support.
  • Identify and qualify prospective new donors.
  • Create reports to analyze and measure the progress towards the fundraising goals and campaign effectiveness.
  • Stay on top of current and emerging fundraising and benchmarking trends.
  • Assess strategic partnerships for CFA’s annual conferences and events.

Qualifications

  • BA (required), MA (a plus).
  • Five years (required) 10 years (a plus) experience in development or grantmaking, preferably in the nonprofit field.
  • Hybrid position with two days in the office and three days work from home per week.
  • Willingness to travel.
  • A commitment to the mission of CFA.
  • Deep understanding of and focus on moves management and relationship building, corporate support, and major gifts fundraising, in both annual and multi-year planning timeframes.
  • Experience in researching grant-makers and writing successful grant proposals
  • Effective communication skills, including written, interpersonal, and verbal
  • Excellent project management and collaboration skills with both internal and external partners
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Experience in managing and tracking funds received from donors and analyzing the collected data to determine effectiveness through fundraising technology.
  • Benchmarking, reporting, and budgeting experience, including cash flow projections, expense controls, financial approvals, and annual forecasting.
  • Knowledge and experience in fundraising theories, principles, and procedures
  • Proficient with social media platforms
  • Creative, self-starter attitude

Salary and Benefits:

  • 100% employer-paid health care, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance for employee and their dependent children
  • Three weeks paid vacation to start and three personal days
  • Federal holidays
  • Generous paid sick leave
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
  • Salary range, depending on experience: $100,000-$130,000

Please send your cover letter and resume to scooper@consumerfed.org

Consumer Federation of America is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status, or to other non-work-related factors.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: Sara Cooper, 202-939-1014, scooper@consumerfed.org.

Public Policy Internship

Public Policy Internship

The Consumer Federation of America, a Washington, DC-based non-profit that works to advance the rights of consumers through research, advocacy and education, is seeking talented, motivated interns with an interest in food and product safety, consumer protection, and financial services.

Interns work with advocates to advance pro-consumer policy on a variety of issues before Congress, the White House, federal and state regulatory agencies, state legislatures, and the courts. They also assist with research to investigate consumer issues, such as high-cost credit, privacy, the safety of children’s products, and fish, meat and poultry inspection. CFA seeks applicants who are pursuing a graduate or law degree and who possess a high level of oral and written communication skills.

Based at the Consumer Federation of America’s office in Washington, DC, the internship is unpaid, though course credit can be given if the intern makes appropriate arrangements. In-city transportation stipends may be available. Full or part time.

To apply for an internship, submit a cover letter and resume to Sara Cooper. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Start and end dates flexible.

Back to top