Development and Communications Associate, Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia

Posted by on July 04, 2011

[emailed 6/28/11]

Position:          Development and Communications Associate
Organization:  INTERFAITH CENTER OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA

Organization Background
Founded in January 2004, the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia (ICGP) emerged as a regional response to the national tragedy of 9/11.  Like so many across the country, the Center was formed by individuals from a wide array of diverse backgrounds – including clergy, laity, and many with experience in interfaith relations – who wanted to transform the tragic event into a catalyst to effect positive change in their communities.  To do this, they envisioned a Center that could facilitate reconciliation, mutual trust, and common action across religious communities and where cross-cultural and multi-faith education, dialogue and collaborative endeavors could flourish.

Nearly seven years later – and approaching this year’s tenth anniversary of September 11th – this bold vision continues to evolve and unfold in exciting and innovating ways.  In its earliest days, the Center began its work by facilitating a host of community programs, conferences and workshops.  Over time, the scope of ICGP’s work has broadened significantly, with sophisticate programming that encompasses three critical areas:  youth development, service, and leadership; adult learning, and leadership; and serving as the convener of the Religious Leaders Council – a group of 26 of the most prominent religious figures from across the region.

Since its inception the Interfaith Center has served more than 10,000 individuals, partnered with more than 150 local religious congregations and institutions and two dozen civic and service organizations, and, to this day, remains one of the few organizations of its kind across the country.  ICGP is called upon at the highest levels of city government and local business to help create programs to promote understanding, cooperation and relationships between individuals of different faiths.  Its work has been praised locally and has received national recognition for “bringing down the curtain on tired, old dramas” and being “determined to write a new script” in the arena of interreligious engagement.[1] The Center teaches more than mere tolerance; we believe that embracing diversity in our neighborhoods, institutions and workplaces is the key to building a cohesive, compassionate and thriving society –  the kind of region and world in which we want to live.

The Interfaith Center now seeks a part-time Development Associate to build its capacity and long-term sustainability.  This individual will join a small but committed team working hard to engender inter- and intra-religious diversity across Philadelphia.

Summary of Position

The Interfaith Center is entirely privately-funded and has a strong track record of generating support for its operating needs.  The organization is poised for growth and is looking to build its internal development staff to identify and solicit new potential sources of revenue.  This will include growing our current foundation portfolio; managing relationships with individual donors and prospects; providing support with events, including small parlor parties and the organization’s annual fundraiser; and providing assistance to the Executive Director in all aspects of development and fundraising.  The Associate will also secondarily be charged with providing support in the areas of marketing and communications, including website content management.

Specific activities will include:

·         Grantsmanship: identification, research, proposal writing and submission, reporting, and stewardship
·         Individual donor prospect research and tracking
·          Fundraising event planning and support
·         Meeting preparation for the Development Committee and visits with donors
·         Website management, including uploading updated content to the new website and the ICGP Facebook fan page on a regular basis and maintaining and organizing multi-media communications materials
·         Disseminating a quarterly e-newsletter to constituents and stakeholders and preparing and Annual Report
·         Providing assistance to the program staff in their various PR, marketing and outreach efforts

Qualifications

The Development Associate will possess excellent written and oral communication skills.  This preferred candidate will be self-directed with a willingness to accept direction, particularly in the area of project and resource development “moves” management.  Must have a passion for the mission of the Interfaith Center and a collaborative spirit to work together with the Board of Directors and staff to realize our ambitious vision for the future.

Supervision

The Development Associate will report to the Executive Director in conjunction with a senior-level development consultant.

Inquiries

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Rebecca Rivera, rr@interfaithcenterpa.org.

[1] Hanc, John. “Finding Similarities Among the Differences”.  New York Times.  November 11, 2008.