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Fundraising Consultant

Request for Proposal

The Leo Baeck Institute New York is requesting proposals for a Fundraising Consultant. The Fundraising Consultant, under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, will guide and support fundraising activity in close engagement with the Fundraising Committee, Board Chair, and Department Heads. The position offers a great opportunity for an individual seeking work in a small non-profit that has a significant opportunity to expand fundraising. They will join an international team driven by a historical mission of contemporary relevance. Currently the organization raises $3M+/- per year with potential to grow 15-20% per year and launch a campaign. The consultant should have the ability to work both on strategy and execution, the latter with support from LBI’s shared Administrative Assistant. The ideal candidate would be a dynamic and organized individual with the ability to drive strategy, prioritize and cultivate individual donors, conceptualize marketing materials and approaches, create and implement tracking systems, conduct all follow-up, and project manage fundraising efforts.

Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Lead development of a short-term and long-term fundraising strategy, particularly for individual gifts and planned giving and foundations;
  • Support Executive Director and Fundraising committee members in all aspects of donor cultivation including one-on-one meetings, small events, research, and written follow-up;
  • Identify and prioritize donors and prospects;
  • Research individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects;
  • Write grant proposals and marketing material for review by senior staff;
  • Conduct follow-up with donors and prospects;
  • Implement necessary systems and reports for tracking in existing databases (currently Blackbaud RE);
  • Increase ongoing annual fundraising. Please note, that 2025 is LBI’s 70th anniversary year; and
  • Lead evaluation of opportunity and potential strategic planning for a future 75th Anniversary campaign, based on existing major gift campaign feasibility study.

Qualifications / Skills:

  • 8+ years of fundraising experience;
  • A proactive attitude towards fundraising with a donor-centric approach;
  • Strong strategic planning skills;
  • Inspiring, warm, and clear verbal communication skills;
  • Ability to write crisp, motivating funder marketing materials and/or grant proposals, and warm notes to prospects and donors;
  • Confidence to help guide and motivate Executive Director and Board Members;
  • Experience with individual giving and planned giving, and knowledge of foundation and corporate giving;
  • Excellent project management skills with great attention to detail;
  • Outstanding research skills;
  • Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.);
  • Knowledge of and ability to implement fundraising systems and tracking reports;
  • Goal oriented and self-motivated with ability to prioritize workflow and meet deadlines; and
  • Available to work a minimum of 1 day in-person at our NYC office.