Title: Director of Advancement
Position Type: Full-time
Annual Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000
Benefits: Generous paid time off; individual health insurance coverage (medical); a defined contribution (SIMPLE IRA) retirement plan; and professional development opportunities. Flexible schedule and remote and hybrid work options available. Applicant must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the state of Montana.
Position Summary
The Director of Advancement is the voice and lead ambassador of Montana Innocence Project’s mission and work. They are responsible for growing and sustaining revenue by crafting innovative fundraising strategies, engaging key supporters, elevating MTIP’s public profile, and building strategic partnerships to drive philanthropic investment. Reporting to the Executive Director, this individual will serve on MTIP’s executive team. They will work closely with the ED and other communications professionals to develop and execute a communications plan that supports the organization’s overall development strategy and are responsible for the oversight of social media, email, and traditional media to increase community engagement and amplify MTIP’s work. Ideal candidates are passionate about criminal legal reform, building relationships, and advancing MTIP’s mission.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead fundraising initiatives, setting and tracking goals, outcomes, and timelines
- Manage donor cultivation and stewardship, ensuring positive relationships, high engagement, and retention through meetings, phone calls, effective communications, and special events; serve as primary contact for donors
- Identify and cultivate new individual donor prospects
- Oversee annual campaigns, direct mail, peer-to-peer, and digital fundraising efforts
- Identify new foundation partners and work closely with other staff and contract professionals to write grant applications and reports
- Cultivate strong relationships with program officers and institutional partners
- Develop corporate engagement opportunities for both local businesses and larger companies
- Serve as main point of contact for the Board of Directors’ fundraising activities and initiatives
- Oversee the integrity of donor data systems, including gift acknowledgment, tracking, segmentation, and reporting
- Uphold MTIP’s brand voice, ensuring consistency across all communication channels and materials
In collaboration with the Executive Director and with the support of communications professionals:
- Build a comprehensive communications plan including social media, email, website, and media relations
- Develop and implement a content calendar that balances storytelling, educational information, and fundraising priorities
- Create communications materials, such as program one-pager, program brochure, corporate one-pager, event assets, and more
- Maintain and regularly update the website with input from relevant team members to ensure accurate, timely content
- Monitor performance and engagement metrics across digital platforms, making data-informed recommendations to improve reach and impact
- Produce annual report each year, gathering data from team members and leading the content writing and design process
Qualifications
- Demonstrated passion and commitment to human dignity, equity, and the Rule of Law
- 6+ years of development experience
- Preferred – experience in criminal legal aid/reform organizations or other nonprofit work
- Demonstrated success managing individual giving programs, annual campaigns, and fundraising events
- Proven ability to build relationships with donors, Board members, institutional partners, and community members
- Proven ability to cultivate and steward donors, resulting in renewed and upgraded gifts
- Skilled in using data to inform strategy
- Strong writing and storytelling skills with the ability to translate program impact into compelling cases for support
- POSITION REQUIRES travel throughout the state of Montana (approx. 25%), occasional out-of-state travel, and some evening and weekend hours.
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT:
The Montana Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission.
We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socioeconomic classes, sexual orientations, ages, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal experiences with the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Montana Innocence Project is an equal opportunity employer.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested applicants should email the following in PDF format: two writing samples; cover letter; resume; and three references to info@mtinnocenceproject.org. Include “Director of Advancement” in the subject line of your email.
Priority deadline 09/15/2025. Position will remain open until filled.