Development Officer, Third Party

About this position

Job Opportunity

Development Officer, Third Party
Full-time, permanent

About us

Around the world, 67 countries have anti-homosexuality laws, and many more have other laws that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In 11 countries, same-sex intimacy can be punishable by death. In too many countries, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) people are routinely arrested, denied basic human rights, and are being brutally attacked, tortured, or even murdered.

Rainbow Railroad was founded in 2006 to provide an additional solution to address the global refugee crisis, to which LGBTQI+ persons are uniquely vulnerable. Rainbow Railroad’s mission is to help persecuted LGBTQI+ individuals get to safety as they seek a safe haven from state-enabled harassment and violence. Rainbow Railroad provides support to LGBTQI+ individuals seeking safety with airfare and financial support that facilitates departure, travel, arrival and referral for settlement. Beyond direct financial assistance, Rainbow Railroad provides information, resources, and advice for asylum claimants as well as assistance to help people find safety when international travel is not possible. 

Rainbow Railroad is a registered Canadian charity and a USA 501(c)(3) organization with its headquarters in Toronto, Canada and an office in New York City, USA.

THE ROLE

The Development team at Rainbow Railroad is seeking a passionate fundraiser to work with our Annual Giving and Partnerships teams. This position will guide Rainbow Railroad’s third party giving program, including peer-to-peer fundraising, third party events, corporate fundraisers, portion of sales proceeds and speaking engagements.

This essential role will help to expand and retain Rainbow Railroad’s peer-to-peer and third party donor base, which is the number one way that Rainbow Railroad acquires new donors year-over year. This role will also lead organizing  Rainbow Railroad’s speaking engagements which is often the introduction of our organization’s work to new potential corporate partners. In both of these ways, this role is helping both to achieve strategic objectives and revenue goals for the organization as well as growing Rainbow Railroad’s pipeline for new donors. Rainbow Railroad’s fundraising program is rapidly evolving. This is an important role that will help drive strategic growth in our donor base and fundraising objectives. 

This role will work with donors in Canada and the United States. Occasional travel to meet supporters may be required. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Third Party Fundraising 

• Lead Rainbow Railroad’s third-party fundraising program including oversight,  stewardship, developing resources, and liaising with organizers; Ensure all third party  fundraisers are properly resourced and recognized to deepen engagement, involvement and success.

• Manage and execute the overall planning, budgeting, and execution of digital and  in-person third-party events to engage donors and prospects of all levels;  specifically focusing on building opportunities to deepen relationships and  recognize existing third party supporters. 

• Build and manage a portfolio of 25-50 actively managed third party fundraising donors and prospects and lead in their identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. 

• Build strategic, branded third-party fundraising opportunities and actively solicit  partners in the corporate, university, and community sectors.

• Work with the Director of Communications to develop Rainbow Railroad’s ambassador program; prospecting, soliciting and building relationships with influential individuals to further Rainbow Railroad’s reach and fundraising opportunities.  

• Strategically develop stewardship opportunities that are specifically tailored and  personalized to third-party fundraising programs.

• Engage staff and volunteers in in-person and virtual third party fundraising opportunities.  

• Lead in the management of the events@rainbowrailroad.org inbox to respond to donor inquiries in a timely manner.

Speaking Engagements

• Lead the management and solicitation of Rainbow Railroad’s speaking engagement portfolio, including the development of a speaking engagement strategy that builds Rainbow Railroad’s profile, and also includes engaging members of the Programs and Impact departments, development team and management team as needed.

• Work with the Director of Communications, proactively build opportunities for high-tier speaking engagements for the Chief Executive Officer with  potential consultation with speaker’s bureaus.

Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Requirements

• 2-5 years of relevant fundraising experience in campaigns and appeals with an emphasis on the annual giving level.

• Third party events management experience or cause-related marketing  experience for the purposes of generating support or awareness for a charity.

• Demonstrated skill and success in volunteer management.

• Experience managing donor relationships through the entire donor lifecycle from introduction through to recognition is an asset. 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or relevant combination of skills and expertise.

• Experienced in a variety of software programming including CRM software (Salesforce an asset), Microsoft Office, Zoom and others.

• Ability to manage competing priorities while producing high-quality deliverables.

• Extensive knowledge of issues facing LGBTQI+ communities, including LGBTQI+ refugees, preferably gained through lived experience.

• Passionate about Rainbow Railroad’s mission and vision.

• We are open to candidates who are based in Toronto, Ottawa, or remotely in the United States.

LINES OF COMMUNICATION

• Reports to the Director of Community Giving

Application Deadline – January 31, 2024

Length of Contract – Full-Time, Permanent

Hiring Salary Range – $60,000-$75,000

Application Process- Please submit your application through the portal link here: 

https://secure.collage.co/jobs/rainbowrailroad/41353

Rainbow Railroad is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. This includes diversity in languages spoken, culture, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process. Please email hire@rainbowrailroad.org for inquiries

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position however we will only be contacting those selected for next steps.