Mountain State Spotlight’s ambitious mission is to help West Virginians improve our state by producing “sustained outrage” journalism that exposes abuses of power by government, business, and other institutions. Our team of reporters focuses on public health, economic justice, environmental degradation, and government accountability.

We have been backed by the American Journalism Project, the Emerson Collective, Arnold Ventures, the Ford Foundation, the Benedum Foundation, ProPublica, and hundreds of readers across West Virginia. As we build a new way of producing journalism and funding a sustainable newsroom, we are part of a nationwide movement aimed at ensuring everyone in our state has the information they need.

Learn more about Mountain State Spotlight here.

The position

We are seeking an ambitious fundraiser who cares deeply about West Virginians and is up for the challenge of building our fundraising efforts and securing the resources needed to sustain and grow our nonprofit, civic newsroom. In close collaboration with the Executive Director, Founding Editor-in-Chief, Audience Manager, and the Board of Directors, the Development Officer will develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to raise $1-2 million a year.

Responsibilities

  • Drive all aspects of development activities, including major gifts and grants
  • Design the development strategy for Mountain State Spotlight, including identifying potential funders and top priorities, matching funders to organizational needs, and executing plans to secure gifts and promote long-term funding relationships
  • Research, prospect, and apply for funding from multiple individuals and foundations
  • Develop and maintain key long-term relationships with major donors, foundations, and other partners, ensuring a diversified funding portfolio
  • In partnership with the Executive Director and Board, grow and diversify institutional fundraising; prospect, cultivate, propose, and close foundation grants and partnerships
  • Develop and nurture relationships with a core group of major donors with whom you meet regularly and make direct, face-to-face donor solicitations
  • Ensure timely follow up and reporting to foundations and individuals
  • Coordinate with editorial staff to promote understanding of funding opportunities and commitments made to funders
  • Collaborate with our Audience Manager on reader/membership drives and fundraising campaigns
  • Work closely with the Executive Director to develop and meet a sustainable budget
  • Work with the Audience Manager and Operations Manager to track donor engagement and measure fundraising success
  • Foster a culture of philanthropy within the organization and secure the active participation of the Board of Directors in fundraising initiatives
  • Stay current on fundraising trends and identify new opportunities for securing resources
  • Travel as necessary in West Virginia and outside the state to meet with major donors and funders
  • Maintain clear and accurate documentation in donor management database 
  • Work with Audience Manager to develop and execute strategies for acquisition, stewardship, and renewal of individual donors; segment donors and research giving capabilities; move members through the funnel to become major donors as appropriate 
  • Develop and/or oversee production of fundraising communication material, including an annual impact report, a monthly email newsletter, quarterly funder updates, donor correspondence, and other collateral materials 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in a development leadership role, including experience in a nonprofit organization with a $1M+ operating budget
  • Passion for local journalism and its role in holding government accountable, fostering civic engagement, and building community; a background in journalism is a plus
  • A clear understanding of rural Appalachian communities, the media, and fundraising climate in West Virginia
  • Demonstrated success soliciting major gifts from foundations and individuals
  • A thorough understanding of the philanthropic environment in West Virginia and Appalachia and demonstrated knowledge of funders and donors in the state
  • Familiarity with fundraising for journalism, democracy, civil society or related issues preferred
  • Bachelor’s degree in journalism, business administration, nonprofit management, or a related field 
  • Experience planning, leading, and managing development projects, including coordinating with multiple internal staff members to achieve desired outcomes, tracking, and reporting
  • Proven history of fostering existing donor relationships and forging new ones
  • Effective use of a customer relationship manager system to grow and manage prospects and donors
  • Skilled in creating powerful, compelling written and oral communications for fundraising; experience and credibility when presenting to external audiences
  • Effective at working with others – internal and external – to reach common goals 
  • Strong understanding of fundraising best practices and principles
  • Excellent relationship-building, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Strategic thinking and strong analytical abilities
  • Ability to motivate and inspire a team
  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Commitment to the organization’s nonpartisan journalistic mission
  • Flexible, creative, collaborative, and entrepreneurial with a spirit of innovation

We know some great candidates won’t check all the boxes, and we also know you might bring essential skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, apply and tell us about yourself.

We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities. We encourage applicants who are ready to take on an ambitious role but aren’t exactly what we’re looking for. We’re growing, so if you’re not right for this job, you might be right for the next one.

Work Environment 

  • Located in downtown Charleston, West Virginia, newsroom
  • Work schedule flexibility required; some travel and weekend and evening hours will be required
  • Regular travel in West Virginia required and occasional travel out of state

Compensation and benefits

Full-time, competitive salary. Our range for this position is $60,000 to $80,000 and is based on relevant experience. Benefits include health, vision, dental, and life insurance, and 401K. Four weeks of paid time off in addition to 19 holidays and a week off between Christmas and New Year’s. 

Application process

Submit a résumé and a cover letter detailing your vision for this position and how you would approach the work to jobs@mountainstatespotlight.org