Manager, Principal Gifts & Stewardship

ABOUT VOTE SOLAR

Vote Solar's mission is to realize a 100% clean energy future through a solutions-driven, people first approach. Founded in 2002, Vote Solar advances just and equitable clean energy policy in state legislatures and public commissions across the United States. Our expertise comes from a deep understanding of the legislative process, regulatory interventions, and the ability to identify and accelerate solar solutions. We are adept at bridging communities and bringing diverse stakeholders together to forge inclusive coalitions and winning campaigns. 

Our goal is to effect real, tangible change. And we have the track-record to prove we can do it: Twenty years in, our work has made it so that one in three people live in a state with a 100% clean energy commitment. We’ll not only expand that number, but ensure that more people can participate in holding utilities and decision makers accountable for greater equity and justice in our energy system.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE

Vote Solar is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in the workplace and in the communities with which we partner. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including multilingual and multicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

THE ROLE

The Manager of Principal Gifts & Stewardship will play a key role in assisting the Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPhO) and other members of the Senior Leadership Team in managing the organization’s principal donors and prospects. Reporting directly to the CPhO, this role will create highly personalized impact reports, bespoke stewardship plans, and persuasive cultivation materials. They will be responsible for managing prospects and moves management in collaboration with the Executive Director and Chief Programs Officer, and for developing cases for support that accurately and effectively showcase Vote Solar's positive impact to ensure the continuation and growth of funding.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Stewardship & Portfolio Support (35%)

• Co-manage the stewardship of principal donors, focusing on securing renewals and upgrades through compelling and accurate reports and proposals.
• Track and prepare grant materials in collaboration with the Program and Operations Teams for all principal gifts, ensuring compliance and strong stewardship.
• Develop and write personalized stewardship and cultivation materials to keep donors engaged and informed about the organization's progress.
• Track donor engagement milestones and ensure database files (Salesforce) are up to date.
• Design and execute new engagement strategies, including, but not limited to, small-scale events, briefings with senior leadership, and participation in exclusive councils.

Prospect and Pipeline Cultivation (35%)

• Work to determine an approach to new prospects, including tailoring concept memos and pitch decks to meet their specific philanthropic interests. 
• Craft written cases for support and tailored materials that leverage organizational metrics and simplify complex programmatic work for high-net-worth audiences.
• Support prospect research and the tracking of touchpoints and strategies. 
• Assist in coordinating high-level donor meetings and creating briefing materials for meetings between principal donors, prospects, and Vote Solar senior leadership.
• Draft personalized correspondence for the Executive Director, Board Members, or other Senior Leadership Team members to prospects and principal donors.
• Manage a small portfolio of national donors and prospects, with responsibility for cultivating relationships, soliciting gifts, and stewarding general operating support.

Communication, Coordination & Collaboration (25%)

• Partner with the regional program teams to gather and summarize outcomes and metrics that highlight the impact of Vote Solar’s work for donor reports.
• Collaborate with Deputy Program Directors to create narratives regarding planned work and intended impacts for proposals and reports, including leading the annual Work Plan.
• Stay informed of domestic policy changes and programmatic developments to effectively communicate Vote Solar's priorities to prospective and current donors.

Learning & Development (5%)

• Continue personal learning and contribute to organizational-wide learning.
• Work to embed equity in all organizational internal practices and culture, as well as our programs.
• Bring openness and engagement to personal, professional, and organization-wide learning on race, class, gender, justice, and equity.

REQUIREMENTS

WHAT YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED

• 4-7 years of experience writing revenue-generating content or high-level donor communications within nonprofits.
• Exceptional ability to synthesize complex ideas into compelling stories and persuasive proposals.
• Proven record of managing multiple projects with close attention to detail in a fast-paced setting.

WHAT YOU MIGHT BE EXCITED TO LEARN

• Success in securing significant commitments from foundations through grants or other forms of nonprofit revenue generation from high-net-worth donors.
• Knowledge of cultivation and stewardship strategies related to major or principal gift fundraising.
• Supporting frontline fundraising efforts for principal gifts through effective and engaging stewardship tactics. 
• Managing a small portfolio of national donors.

MINDSETS

• A personal commitment to being a part of an inclusive and just workplace, including a commitment to being on a journey with Vote Solar to develop personal, and inter-personal core competencies related to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.
• Understanding that how we work (in collaborative, authentic partnership), is just as important as what we work on.

LOCATION

This is a remote position within the United States, with a preference for candidates based near a transportation hub. This position will require some national travel. Workplace arrangements are flexible, including options to work from a co-working space or work from home. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $89,900-$97,500. At Vote Solar, we work hard to ensure that our compensation is equitable internally and aligned with our compensation philosophy and defined job levels. In order to ensure equitable compensation across roles in the organization, we do not negotiate new hire offers.

Vote Solar provides full-time staff with a competitive package, including 4 weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 4 days of personal leave and 16 paid holidays. We also offer 100% employer-provided health, dental and vision care for team members; a retirement savings plan with an employer contribution of 3.5%; and a paid parental and medical leave policy for all regular employees. 

OUR VALUES

At Vote Solar, we have co-created the following shared Values and work hard to live into them every day:

• Trust - Without Trust, We Can’t Succeed
• Authenticity - We Hold True to What and Who We Stand For
• Versatility - We Adapt Our Approach, But Never Our Values
• Compassion - People First, in Every Aspect of Our Work
• Inclusivity - We’re Strongest Together

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send a letter of interest and resume to Vote Solar. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that all qualified applicants may participate in the application process. Please inform Adrena Lambert at alambert@votesolar.org of accommodation requests at the time of application.

Application Process Note: Vote Solar is required to enroll in the E-Verify Program to verify employment eligibility of certain employees. Candidates who receive an offer may be required to complete this step depending on their state of residence.