The Organization – American Journalism Project
We’re a small but entrepreneurial team working to re-shape the future of local news in our country. We’re passionate about journalism, civic engagement, and how local news plays a unique role in shaping our democracy. We help build and grow sustainable local news organizations all over the country — through financial investment, venture support, and movement building — that are governed by, sustained by, and look like the public they serve. Learn about our grantees.
Our team is deeply connected to our mission and supportive of each others’ goals and overall well-being. We aim to be an organization where everyone feels heard, respected, and valued. We are an entirely remote, distributed team and strive to maintain a healthy, fun, and productive workplace, working alongside smart, energetic colleagues who enjoy one another and the work. Meet our full team.
Position Overview
The VP will lead AJP’s efforts to secure funding for the American Journalism Project’s local fundraising efforts.
The VP will work with our Program Team to achieve ambitious revenue goals, will serve as interim heads of development for our startup studio organizations and then oversee the hiring and onboarding of a permanent local fundraising executive.
Our ideal candidate is a fundraising professional who has expertise in pursuing six- to eight-figure contributions and grants, particularly major gifts, as well as experience with project management; building systems and processes for fundraising; and engaging local communities and constituencies.
The VP will lead the strategy, execution and portfolio management of our local fundraising efforts and have the following responsibilities:
- Develop the overall fundraising and stewardship strategy for the Program Team’s place-based work — our Local Philanthropy Partnerships and Startup Studio — across diverse revenue streams: major gifts from foundations, individuals, and corporate support
- Define and meet fundraising goals for the each place-based project
- Prepare Chief Investment Officer, and leaders and board members of our startup organizations, for fundraising, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Lead in preparation efforts for major fundraising meetings and solicitations; build new external relationships as appropriate, thoughtfully advancing complex partnerships and demonstrating excellent presentation and communication skills to connect prospects to the missions of the American Journalism Project and our place-based partners and projects.
- Provide leadership throughout prospecting, cultivation and stewardship efforts, ensuring every element of engagement is strongly executed towards securing revenue; work with team to oversee the execution of deliverables such as proposals and reports
- Work across our Program and Advancement Teams to oversee the coordination of information with our Advancement Team’s systems for gift solicitation, management, reporting, and stewardship
- Assist with our startups’ board development and management; act as a key liaison to the boards on fundraising
- Manage and mentor a team of currently 1 FTE, as well as managing any fundraising consultants and vendors
- Act as interim head of development for our startups and work with the team on recruiting, hiring and onboarding startup staff, particularly development leadership
How To Apply
Please submit an application through our link. Download the full job description here. If you have any questions please feel free to email careers@theajp.org with “VP, Local Partnerships” in the subject line.