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The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.
We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.
With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.
The Economic Studies program analyzes current and emerging economic issues facing the United States and the world and, based on that research, provides innovative, practical policy recommendations. ES’s work covers a broad array of economic issues, including economic growth, economic opportunity and mobility, the labor market, regulation, health policy, the environment, tax policy, retirement policy, and fiscal and monetary policy. Economic Studies scholars influence key economic policies by conducting rigorous and relevant research and then disseminating and communicating their findings to the policy community and to the broader public.
Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.
Ready to contribute to Brookings success?
The Development Director, Corporations (DDC) is an energetic, mission-focused development professional skilled at building both internal and external relationships to maximize fundraising opportunities for the Economic Studies program. The DDC is a key partner to the Senior Director of Development (SDD) and the Economic Studies (ES) development team in meeting the program’s ambitious fundraising goals, with attention to corporate donors and prospect research, and setting the strategy for corporate fundraising. . This position is responsible for a portfolio of 30-50 current and prospective corporate funders and manages and implements all activities related to the identification, qualification, recruitment, stewardship, solicitation, and renewal process for the Economic Studies Council (ESC) members. The DDC is also responsible for identifying and qualifying a pipeline of new corporate prospects for ES and will suggest and help implement paths for recruitment. The position will work closely with colleagues throughout Brookings, including the VP for Economic Studies, Brookings’ central development, scholars, general counsel, and finance offices.
Fundraising and Prospect Activity (75%)
Create and execute comprehensive strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, steward, and solicit a growing portfolio of corporate donors that provide unrestricted support to Economic Studies, including customized outreach, event invitations, and special projects.
Implement and actively manage the proposal and renewal process for Economic Studies Council members; is responsible for timely submissions and follow up.
Update ES development-related materials on an annual basis to stay focused on the highest visibility goals and priorities.
Serve as front line fundraiser, managing a portfolio of corporate donors and prospects. Work directly with scholars to understand their fundraising needs and raise the funds accordingly. Answer donor inquiries as needed and appropriate.
Takes initiative to present new corporate funding opportunities to program staff, identifying new prospects and suggesting how their interests and priorities match Brookings scholars work.
Prepare briefings for donor meetings for SDD, VP and scholars.
Track and send pledge reminders and invoices to corporate and ESC donors.
Manage ESC development-related events (such as Economic Studies Council and other program events and conference calls), including room reservations, remote access to meetings, catering, monitoring invitation lists, managing other logistics, and meeting participant support, following up to thank participants.
Serve as primary point person for all corporate proposals. Ensure that proposals are high-quality, accurate, responsive to ES research priorities and donor guidelines, approved for submission, in compliance with the Institution’s policies, and submitted to prospective donors in advance of deadlines. Respond to all internal and external inquiries as proposals and gift agreements are processed.
With SDD’s guidance, plan and implement a comprehensive stewardship strategy for corporate portfolio, including customized outreach, event invitations, and special projects.
Schedule, monitor, and manage meeting requests from donors and prospects.
Track renewals, upgrades, new prospects, program requests from corporations, and monthly overall revenue. Approach two to three new corporations per month.
Prospect Research (25%)
Utilize all research resources (iWave, Foundation Director, Inside Philanthropy, Nexis, Zillow, GuideStar, NYT, FT, etc.) to conduct research, prepare and provide biographical and financial profiles and reports on potential and identified individuals, corporations, and foundations. Suggest strategies for obtaining new prospects in order to ensure the ongoing expansion and renewal of the prospect pool.
Work with program staff and scholars to identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit new prospects for Economic Studies Council.
Perform research on prospective and existing donors to analyze wealth, capacity, and donor interest areas. Organize and provide actionable information regarding financial capacity and philanthropic propensity.
Organize monthly meetings with Development staff to review newly researched prospects (at least eight prospects per month). Synthesize research into prospect profile reports to inform donor meetings and possible donor engagement, including information on financial capacity and propensity to give. Suggest strategies for obtaining new prospects in order to ensure the ongoing expansion and renewal of the prospect pool.
Work closely and collaboratively with prospect research staff in Central Development to avoid duplication of efforts and provide updates on newly assigned prospects.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with other program development staff and coordinate on prospects as needed.
Maintain lists of all prospects researched, assignments made, and status of prospects.
Maintain strong knowledge of ES programs, initiatives, and projects.
Create and monitor Google alerts for top donors and alert key stakeholders to important news regarding donors (i.e., resignations, new jobs, mergers, birth announcement, etc.).
Review and analyze similar organizations’ donor lists and annual reports to discover new possible prospects for ES.
Other duties as assigned.
Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:
Education/Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree and minimum of eight years of professional and/or related experience required. Excellent communication, organization, database, and spreadsheet skills, including the ability to enter and manipulate data. Interest in public policy, economics and finance; demonstrated experience successfully raising gifts of $50,000+ in a non-profit environment; experience planning high-level meetings and coordinating event logistics. Experience working successfully with top-level executives in a fast-paced environment. Excellent writing and editing skills. An ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly and with exceptional attention to detail. Able to work as a leader or in support role as needed to secure and steward major funding relationships. Must be able and willing to perform both the creative thinking for donor strategies and the due diligence to ensure eligibility and responsible stewardship for these funding relationships. A background in a research or academic setting is strongly preferred. Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.
Knowledge/Skill Requirements
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, administrative, and communication skills required. Must be attentive to detail, proactive, discreet, and dependable. Must be able to exercise good judgment, take initiative, function independently and work in close cooperation with others. Must be able to project manage and coordinate a variety of tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, meet deadlines and consistently follow up on details. Must be a positive team player and demonstrate professional demeanor and attire. Must communicate in a clear and polite manner in person and on the screen or phone. Knowledge of Microsoft Office and the capacity to quickly learn other types of software, including Raiser’s Edge and iWave is required. Excellent writing, grammar, spelling, proofreading, and editing skills, and the ability to research information and compile it into a concise briefing required.
Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
Additional Information
What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.
Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.
Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.
Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.
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