About the Democracy Alliance

The Democracy Alliance (DA), founded in 2005, is a vibrant network comprised of individual donors, foundations, and Unions dedicated to building the progressive movement in the United States by filling gaps in progressive infrastructure, providing catalytic funding for significant initiatives, and resourcing social changes all in the name of a vibrant, responsive, durable democracy.

In the past 15 years, the DA has invested in every aspect of progressive power-building–from policy making to organizing grassroots communities, to winning state and national issue and electoral campaigns. In the 2020 cycle the DA marshalled nearly $80 million for strategic investment priorities— including voting rights, enhancing digital capacity, and promoting year-round organizing—and over $25 million more to other groups in the progressive movement. The New American Majority Fund raised $8 million in 8 months, distributing funds to POC-led and serving organizations in 21 states.

Through our New American Majority Fund and its sister 501c4, we seek to strengthen and sustain state-level grassroots organizing and elevate the leadership and capacity of communities in the New American Majority—particularly BIPOC communities. When these efforts are well-resourced and coordinated, year-in and year-out, progressives win.

We are looking for a dynamic fund Director whose work is centered by principles of social justice, including a fierce commitment to racial, gender, and economic justice. We are looking for an experienced strategist, with knowledge of and grounding in the organizing and leadership of New American Majority communities, to help the New American Majority Fund articulate and align shared values, dream big about the world and the democracy we want to see, and to develop a plan for how NAM and the DA can be most impactful in the immediate and in the long term to build progressive power. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director will provide the vision and the leadership for the New American Majority Fund and the New American Majority Action Fund (the Funds) at a critical moment for our democracy. The Funds is a collaborative effort between individual and institutional donors designed to increase the independent political power of New American Majority organizations.

The Funds address the chronic underinvestment in state-based organizations by providing resources to help them build independent political power. This power is leveraged to advocate for progressive policy change, mobilize underrepresented voters, and elect progressive champions.

Grantmaking priority is given to state-based organizations with bases and leadership in the following communities: Latinx, Black, Native American, and Asian American Pacific Islander. A state landscape analysis, comprehensive capacity assessment, regular benchmark monitoring, and the Advisory Board’s strategic oversight help ensure that grants go to effective, inspiring, community accountable organizations.    

The Funds invest in the following core capacities, with a particular commitment to general operating grants where possible:

• General operating
•  Staff building/retention
•  Base building
•  Mobilization capabilities
•  Structural reform campaign tools
•  Leadership pipeline
• Network connections
•  Narrative setting 
•  Budget growth and sustainability

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Primary responsibility for the fundraising, investment process, and portfolio management of the New American Majority and New American Majority Action Funds (Funds).
• Active member of the DA Executive Team, centering the needs of POC-led and serving organizations in decision making and strategy planning for staff, executive leadership, and partners.
•  Senior advisor to DA president.
•  Manage and, as necessary, grow the staff of the Fund.
•  Build strong relationships with existing leadership in the civic engagement field and help support and facilitate collaboration between and among groups.
•  Develop grantmaking recommendations for investments to the Funds’ Advisory Board that meet the Funds’ goals and objectives; including critical needs which are not being met by existing organizations in the field, such as capacity-building/training needs.
•  Develop a process for monitoring and assessing the Funds’ progress and regular reporting of that progress.
•  Promote and communicate the Funds’ mission and values to all stakeholders.
•  Prepare grant proposals, grant reports, and other supplemental materials for the Funds.
•  Manage regular communications with the Advisory Board, developing budgets, strategy documents, plans, and agendas necessary for board meetings.
•  Work collaboratively with the DA’s other Funds, finding opportunities to align funding, where appropriate.
•  Help to develop sessions at DA conferences and other events that highlight the work/grantees of the Funds and help to build awareness among donors.
• Ensure compliance with all 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 laws.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A successful candidate will demonstrate a deep commitment to social justice, including gender, racial, and economic justice, political acumen, and a flexible collaborative work style.
• Passion for the Funds’ mission and ability to promote and communicate the philosophy, mission, and values to external and internal stakeholders.
• Several years of professional 501c3 and 501c4 experience in issue, candidate, and/or civic engagement, progressive politics, and/or philanthropy.
• Deep understanding of, and strong relationships with, existing leadership in civic engagement field.
• Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience developing strategic plans and/or development strategies, engaging partners, and working with a board.
• Proven success at robust fundraising for short and long-term initiatives, special projects, candidates, & campaigns from individual donors, foundations, & institutions.
• Prior experience in a leadership capacity in a social justice organization.
• Experienced fundraiser, ideally in a political environment, on issues or campaigns.
• Strong relationship builder, experience engaging partners and working with a board.
• Culturally competent and able to communicate effectively with people representing diverse interests, styles, and backgrounds.
• Familiarity with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and ideally experienced with VAN or other online voting file tools.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong verbal, written, research, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and remain flexible and adaptable as needs and priorities change.
• Demonstrates integrity, strives for excellence, and has experience leading others to new levels of effectiveness and programmatic impact.
• Discretion and diplomacy in handling confidential and sensitive issues.
• Have a sense of humor and the interest to be part of a high-performing team. 

REPORTS TO: Democracy Alliance President

 BASED: Remote

TRAVEL: Some travel will be required

SALARY: Approximately $130,000-$140,000.

TO APPLY

If interested, please submit a brief letter of interest and resume applicants should email [email protected]. Please reference “NAM Director” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed, and interviews will be conducted, on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The interview process will be expedited commensurate with the urgency of the moment and the critical nature of this work.

Democracy Alliance is an equal opportunity employer working toward a vision of vibrant, responsive, multi-racial democracy that works for everyone. We achieve that vision with a team representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, styles, and experiences. We believe a diversity of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone. We are committed to challenging racism, sexism, homophobia, and oppression in all its forms. Frequently cited statistics show that applicants from traditionally marginalized and/or underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage applicants to break that statistic and to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.