Program Development Manager/Proposal Writer Job Announcement

Background:

Inspired by the life experiences of its founder, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, AHA Foundation, a U.S. public charity, was established in 2007 as an organization seeking to end honor violence, forced & child marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in the U.S. Since 2017, in line with our Founder’s interests, the focus of the Foundation’s programs included: 1) compiling data on FGM/C, 2) organizing prevention and detection training to protect the at-risk populations, 3) advocating, awareness raising and outreach to expand and strengthen state and national legislation for the protection of women and girls, 4) connecting women and girls in crisis to appropriate services, 5) through a series of seminar and webinars, building a network of activists to promote the ideas in our founder’s book Heretic, to combat extreme Islamist propaganda, and 6) creation of the Critical Thinking Fellowship, a program for college students to promote debates on their campuses about all of our program areas. Recently, our Board revised our mission statement to read: Preserve, protect and promote Western Freedoms and Ideals. Currently, we are exploring additional programming that supports freedom of speech and integration with western/universal human rights.

Purpose:

The Prospect and Program Development Manager/Proposal Writer will work alongside members of the program and senior management team at the AHA Foundation. S/he will identify prospective donors and strategic partners and help to steward these relationships to ensure positive and purposeful prospect, donor and partnership relations. S/he will draft letters of inquiry and proposals for support from institutional donors.

The candidate must be a highly energetic individual with an eye to detail and an ability to seize the initiative, lead special projects and work independently. S/he will work collaboratively and strategically with other team members supporting fundraising and marketing campaigns, communications, and policy advocacy, where necessary. S/he will use the grant database to discover, research, and track grants that align with AHA’s programs. S/he will use our donor database to track donor behavior and donor stewardship efforts, and ensure cultivation efforts lead to donor renewal.  S/he will use prospective donor screening tool to research information for successful donor acquisition.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Identify and help manage a portfolio of prospects, foundations, federal and state grants, and potential partnership with related organizations, as well as the cultivation of small and mid-tier donors into major gift donors.
• Write full proposals in collaboration with program staff.
• Work alongside the Executive Director to initiate contacts with leadership in other organizations, foundations, and major gift donors.
• Implement cultivation strategies for small, mid-tier and major gift donors and maintain stewardship contacts with donors.
• Participate in all aspects of the government and Foundation grant giving cycle including prospect searching, initial contact and outreach, cultivating a relationship, and maintaining a good relationship with staff and submission of reports.
• Work in DonorPerfect to build and maintain an accurate donor database.
• Work in DonorSearch and Instrumentl, prospecting platforms.
• Assist in various other activities as needed such as supporting and improving fund-raising efforts, and other duties as assigned.
• Take the lead on fundraising event organization (board meetings, fundraiser events, etc.).
• Other assignments as requested by the Executive Director

Key competencies, technical background, and experience required:

• Passion for the mission and programs of AHA Foundation.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
• Has at least one year of grant writing experience or at least one year of experience with donor or supporter outreach.
• Computer literacy and working knowledge of Google Suite is a plus.
• Self-motivated and excellent time and project management skills.
• Enjoys working as a team and understands the needs and interests of AHA Foundation.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with programs like Donor Perfect, and Donor Search are a plus.

Application Requirement:

Applicants, who meet the above criteria, are encouraged apply by sending a cover letter, resume and writing sample to jessica@theahafoundation.org by June 30, 2022. Please note that applicants who fail to provide the requested documents will not be considered. This position announcement will remain open until the position is filled.