Description
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is a national non-profit organization that works to turn
environmental values into national priorities. To secure the environmental future of our planet,
LCV’s mission is to advocate for sound environmental policies, to elect pro-environmental
candidates who will adopt and implement such policies, and to provide its affiliated state
organizations (state LCVs) with the resources and tools to accomplish and sustain their mission.
The mission of LCV Education Fund, the sister 501(c)(3) organization of LCV, is to strengthen
the capacity of the environmental movement, to educate and mobilize citizens on environmental
issues, and to advocate for sound environmental policies. In addition to public education and
advocacy on issues including global warming, energy, and toxic chemicals, LCV Education
Fund works to build coalitions, engage citizens using cutting-edge non-partisan methods, and
develop the capacity of state LCV education funds to make an impact on environmental policies
at all levels of government.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Reporting to the President, the Senior Vice President for Development will provide strategic
leadership for the planning, implementation, evaluation, integration, and administration of
LCV and LCV Education Fund’s Development Division. S/he will lead a team of development
professionals in achieving the organization’s revenue goals, increase membership and
income, educate and engage more individuals and institutions in the work of LCV and the LCV
Education Fund to advance the organization’s mission. S/he will be part of a skilled team of
development professionals working to raise at least $20 million annually through a multi-faceted
fundraising program with an emphasis on personal solicitation of major donors, online and direct
marketing, and foundation fundraising. The SVP for Development will play a key role in the
leadership of the organization as part of the Executive Team. The ideal candidate will have a
strong record of success in raising significant gifts from individuals and foundations, including
501(c)(4), PAC, and Super PAC gifts and contributions. The SVP is expected to successfully
upgrade donors and introduce LCV to new prospects and translate those relationships into
significant gifts.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
The League of Conservation Voters
The League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
Senior Vice President for Development
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The Senior Vice President for Development will be expected to:
Work with the President and other Executive Team members to establish fundraising goals,
set strategic priorities, advise on program development, and develop and meet annual
budgets for all entities.
Develop and implement overall strategy for fundraising, including annual work plan and
financial projections; conceptualize proposals, program summaries and marketing products
to communicate with supporters.
Solicit contributions from major individual donors, including 501(c)(4), PAC, Super PAC and
501(c)(3) gifts. The SVP would be responsible for personally bringing in significant gifts
from new donors and stewarding long-term relationships with donors.
Oversee LCV Action Fund’s GiveGreen bundling program to raise at least $1.5 million in
support of environmental candidates in the 2014 cycle and beyond.
Develop relationships with prospective individual and foundation donors to increase funding,
membership, and visibility for LCV and LCV Education Fund’s program; implement ongoing
programs to improve the renewal rates of existing donors, continue to increase the role of
high-dollar mail and the integration of the high and low-dollar mail programs; create plans
to use events to upgrade donors; maintain a diversity of revenue streams by increasing
membership and the pool of mid-range and high-level donors.
Develop annual budgets and income projections; regularly review fundraising divisions’
revenue and expenses, track department-wide progress to goals; regularly update the
President on progress; prepare reports and presentations for the Board of Directors.
Engage the LCV and LCV Ed Fund Boards of Directors in fundraising strategies and
outreach; work with the President and Boards to ensure the continuation of a diverse base
of financial support;
Provide strategic guidance on the LCV grassroots fundraising program; work with
Development team and expert consultants to continue to expand prospecting and
membership through online fundraising experiments, direct mail and telemarketing, and
canvassing initiatives.
Work with the General Counsel to ensure legal compliance, as it relates to fundraising for all
of the organization’s entities and activities, be they 501(c)3, 501(c)4, PAC, Super PAC, or
bundling.
Work with Executive Team members to ensure effective collaboration among divisions and
across entities, implement branding strategy, and develop marketing tools (including mail,
emails, publications, strategy memos and other materials) to increase public awareness of
and attracts donor support to LCV and LCV Education Fund; strategically direct fundraising
efforts of President, Executive Team and key program directors;
Collaborate with State League partners and LCV and LCV Education Fund in all areas of
fundraising, donor cultivation and stewardship, and operation; help raise funds to support
work of state leagues as well as LCV and LCV Education Fund; work with State Capacity
The League of Conservation Voters
The League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
Senior Vice President for Development
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Building division to provide development related administrative, technical and operations
support to state leagues.
Manage a team of 13 Development professionals; provide on-going guidance, direction
and motivation; hire team members as needed; delegate appropriately and ensure strong
internal communication and coordination; evaluate performance and provide opportunities
for personal and professional growth; and provide oversight to consultants.
Assist in gaining visibility for LCV and the LCV Education Fund; help build on the brands
and their positions in the field; maintain a visible and effective role as a spokesperson for
LCV and the LCV Education Fund to reinforce and build positive understanding of the
organization with its many audiences;
Stay abreast of political, philanthropic, and environmental trends; ensure that Board and
staff are informed of changes in legislation and other trends and initiatives that might impact
giving.
The ideal candidate should have the following experience and qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus 10+ years fundraising experience;
Proven success in securing high dollar foundation and individual donor support, including
501(c)(4), PAC, and Super PAC contributions, from environmental and political funder
communities; experience fundraising for a political advocacy organization or as a political
fundraiser is a decided plus;
A clear understanding of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit legal issues/structures;
Well-developed writing, interpersonal and organizational skills and experience managing a
large staff;
Commitment to organization’s mission and understanding of current environmental policy
issues and political landscape;
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with, and quickly gain the respect and support of,
various constituencies, including a visible chief executive committed to raising money, active
board members, other senior vice presidents, program directors and donors;
A record of success in organizing and implementing strategies that bring in needed revenue,
analyzing and identifying problems and formulating creative solutions;
Experience managing a large team and a sophisticated development operation, including
experience in creating and managing successful major gifts programs;
Experience as an effective communicator who is articulate and persuasive in both the
spoken and written word; must be adept at crafting materials and making presentations to a
variety of audiences;
Ability and willingness to travel frequently.
The League of Conservation Voters
The League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
Senior Vice President for Development
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