Director of Development

New York Focus, New York’s only statewide nonprofit newsroom, is seeking a director of development to help take our organization’s fundraising efforts to the next level and expand our newsroom at a pivotal time.

New York Focus launched in 2020 to fill a critical gap in the state’s media ecosystem: almost half of New York’s newspapers have died in the last two decades, allowing elected officials and powerful individuals to increasingly operate in the dark — with the average New Yorker none the wiser. We’re on a mission to help change that: we publish reporting that investigates power and explains how the state really works, with the aim of making New York a more transparent and democratic place to live.

Our work has already shown what can happen when those with power know that someone is watching, with stories that have prompted policy changes and spurred legislation. Since launching three years ago with a small team operating on a shoestring budget, we’ve grown significantly: we’re currently a full-time team of 13, and on track to grow to nearly 20 by the end of 2024. Now, we’re looking for a director of development who will help take our newsroom to the next level, by allowing us to expand our presence throughout the state and tackle new topics where independent reporting is desperately needed.

We’ve received support from major national funders and developed a slate of key major supporters. We’re looking for someone to help us significantly grow our portfolio of major individual donors through continuous prospecting; to support us in deepening our existing relationships; to help oversee our small donor membership program; to coordinate regular fundraising events; and to craft fundraising appeals and strategize around general fundraising programming with the organization’s publisher, editor in chief and larger development team.

This position is pivotal to New York Focus’ sustainability and growth at a crucial time. As the organization’s first development director, this person would help define what long-term development strategy looks like at the organization, working closely with organization leadership and our board of directors. Their work would also help revitalize local news in a state where increased scrutiny is desperately needed, ultimately serving New Yorkers all over by enhancing our ability to publish investigative reporting on issues like criminal justice, housing, climate, education, and more.

We are looking for someone with a passion for local news and New York; who has a strong background in fundraising and major gifts cultivation; a self-starter who wants to help build new strategies and systems from the ground up; and who is excited about acting as a strategic partner with organization leadership.

Key Responsibilities

The Development Director will lead and manage fundraising across all contributed revenue streams, from individual major gifts and institutional support to small donor membership. They will:

• Develop and execute a multiyear fundraising strategy to grow and diversify revenue

• Oversee our entire major gifts portfolio and its expansion (organizing our major gifts program and supporting leadership to steward/cultivate 25-50 major donors and increase that number)

• Work with the development and audience team to refine our giving pipeline; create materials for external stakeholders and potential supporters

• Oversee our small donor membership program - which includes hundreds of one-time and monthly supporters - identifying opportunities for growth

• Work with organization leadership and the larger business team to make revenue projections

• Develop a plan to meet short and long term revenue goals for major gifts and membership, including initiating and executing virtual and in-person fundraising events

• Collaborate with the larger fundraising team to track donor engagement, gift stewardship, and follow ups

About you

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least 7 years experience working as a senior member of or leading a development team

• Experience cultivating donor relationships which resulted in five and six-figure commitments

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; the ability to craft compelling narratives to donors and external stakeholders

• Enthusiasm for working with a scrappy, young organization, amid an exciting growth phase

• Passion for building systems from the ground up, a team player with a keen eye for detail