Washington, DC

The Organization

Alliance for Justice is a national association of more than 100 organizations dedicated to advancing justice and democracy. For over 30 years we have been leaders in the fight for a more equitable society on behalf of a broad constituency of environmental, consumer, civil and women’s rights, children’s, senior citizens’ and other groups. Alliance for Justice is premised on the belief that all Americans have the right to secure justice in the courts and to have their voices heard when government makes decisions that affect their lives.

AFJ’s Bolder Advocacy program advances the role of nonprofits in influencing public policy by helping organizations fully understand the legal rules governing advocacy activities, as well as how to assess and evaluate advocacy. By fighting for the rights of nonprofits and foundations to conduct and support advocacy, helping groups learn new advocacy skills and understand advocacy best practices, and responding to potential threats to nonprofit advocacy, we lay the groundwork for more organizations to advocate effectively on behalf of their communities. In addition, Bolder Advocacy works to build the capacity of the philanthropic sector to bring about chance by influencing public policy.

Position Overview

Position Summary

As a national expert and leader in foundation support for advocacy, the Foundation Project Director will conceptualize and implement a variety of outreach, educational, and assistance programs for foundations; bring new information, ideas, and tools to the foundation advocacy landscape; and become a thought leader on advocacy and philanthropy. The director will be highly creative and entrepreneurial with the ability to significantly grow AFJ’s current foundation advocacy program over time. The position is based in the Washington, DC office and will report to the Director of Bolder Advocacy.

Essential Functions

· Conceptualize, develop, and implement new programs, web and social content, publications and other written resources, live and web streamed events, and workshops and trainings that encourage and enable foundations to support and engage in advocacy, as well as planning and evaluating all types of advocacy work.

· Lead outreach efforts to foundations, grantmaking associations, and other philanthropic organizations about AFJ’s resources and mission.

· Generate original ideas and content and disseminate it through a wide variety of techniques including events, publications, and social media.

· Develop marketing plans for the foundation project.

· Assist in raising funds for the foundation project.

· Develop ideas for and manage research projects on philanthropy and advocacy.

· Keep up to date on information and trends about philanthropy and advocacy.

· Work collaboratively with all other Bolder Advocacy staff, as well as the Outreach, Communications, and Development teams at AFJ.

· Other responsibilities as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Abilities

· Bachelor’s degree and 7-10 years of experience in nonprofit, foundation, communications, or related fields.

· Strong background in and understanding of the philanthropic sector. Experience in a foundation or foundation-related organization is a plus.

· Familiarity with advocacy efforts, including the legal rules for foundation involvement.

· Experience planning events or conferences.

· Highly organized and detail oriented.

· Excellent oral communications skills.

· Ability to work independently and collaboratively, and to manage multiple tasks and shifting priorities.

· Ability to travel as needed.

· Commitment to social justice causes.

Personality:

• Self-driven, results-oriented with a positive outlook, and a clear focus on high quality work.
• Mature, credible, and comfortable in dealing with a wide range of people.
• Must be comfortable making public presentations.
• A strong networker comfortable with “selling” AFJ and its programs.
• Reliable, tolerant, and determined.
• Inspires others to engage in policy advocacy.
• Keen for new experience, responsibility and accountability.
• Strong interpersonal skills (one-on-one and in a group format), cultural competency, strong listening skills, patience, and sense of humor.