Location: Remote (U.S. based)

Reporting Line: VP Business Development

Contract Duration: 6 months (renewable thereafter)

Start Date: June 2025

Background

RET is an independent, impartial, non-profit organization with no religious or political affiliation registered in Geneva Switzerland. RET stands for resilience, empowerment, and transformation. Founded in 2000 by Sadako Ogata, the former High Commissioner for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the organization has worked with vulnerable communities in the face of disaster, crises, and conflict. With operations in 15 countries, RET envisions a world in which individuals overcome adversities to eliminate dependency and be agents of positive change and peace.

Position

This consultancy, which may be filled by an individual or firm, will work at a senior level in the organization, focusing on the US market and delivering fundraising results (unrestricted and legacy) with minimal assistance.

The individual or firm will report to the VP of Business Development, ensuring strategic alignment with expectations and broader organizational goals. The role may involve travel and would ideally be based in a major US city (New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., etc.) to leverage proximity to key donors.

Responsibilities

The consultancy will undertake the following responsibilities:

• Strategic Fundraising Plan: Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy focused on securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grants from the US market to support RET International’s programs, with a specific emphasis on raising unrestricted funds. This involves identifying high-potential revenue streams and aligning them with the organization’s mission.
• Donor Engagement: Identify, research, and engage with high-potential major donors (high-net-worth individuals), corporations, and foundations in the US to build and maintain strong relationships, ensuring a focus on securing unrestricted donations.
• Funding Proposals and Reports: Prepare and present compelling funding proposals and reports to prospective and existing donors, ensuring alignment with their interests and RET International’s objectives, in collaboration with RET’s team.
• Fundraising Events and Campaigns: Organize and participate in fundraising events, campaigns, and donor stewardship activities to enhance engagement and retention, targeting unrestricted contributions.
• Compliance and Ethics: Ensure all fundraising activities comply with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards of the fundraising profession.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising efforts, providing regular reports to the VP of Business Development and making strategic adjustments as needed, with a focus on unrestricted funds raised. Examples of KPIs include: number of new donor meetings, donor retention rate, proposal submission rate, rate of successful proposals.
• Organizational Representation: Represent RET International at relevant conferences, meetings, and events in the US and internationally, requiring travel as needed, to enhance visibility and network within the philanthropy community.

Qualifications

Individuals or firms should meet the following criteria:

• Experience: A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in fundraising for non-profit organizations, with a specific focus on securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grants, particularly unrestricted funds.
• Track Record: Demonstrated success in securing significant donations from high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and foundations, particularly in the US, with a proven ability to raise unrestricted funds.
• Network: A strong network within the US philanthropy community, with established relationships that can be leveraged for fundraising, especially for unrestricted contributions.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire donors at all levels.
• Independent Work: Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Ethical Knowledge: Knowledge of ethical fundraising practices, compliance with relevant regulations, and adherence to the ethical guidelines of professional fundraising organizations.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field is preferred, though not strictly required.
• Technology Skills: Experience with CRM database management, and other relevant fundraising software.

Compensation

Applicants should submit a financial proposal with their Expression of Interest that includes compensation in the form of an initial retainer fee and competitive, performance-based payments.

How to Apply:

To apply please visit the below link:
https://theret.org/expression-of-interest-consultancy-for-performance-based-fundraising-individual-or-firm/