ForAfrika, founded over four decades ago, is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering communities across Africa through sustainable development projects. Their initiatives span various sectors including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment. The transformative power of faith-based partnerships is bringing about tremendous positive change. They are blessed with 650+ employees and $65MM of revenues to contribute towards leveraging these partnerships to create lasting impact. However, they still have a great distance to travel to achieve their goals.
ForAfrika is searching for a dynamic, called, and experienced Director of Development/VP—Philanthropy, Foundations, and Corporate Initiatives to join their work and build a high-functioning strategy and plan for long-term growth. The Director will collaborate closely with the Director of Development – Faith-based and the Director of Development – Grants and Institutional Foundations. Your core objective will be to drive forward organizational initiatives, elevate ForAfrika’s presence, and establish a strong brand identity within the philanthropic, foundations, and corporate sectors.
Experience raising funds for an international organization is required for this role.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
In partnership with our communities, we remove barriers and restore the abundance of Africa to its people.
MISSION
To provide the resources that unlock the abundance of Africa so every African community can thrive.
HISTORY
Founded four decades ago, ForAfrika (formerly Joint Aid Management) is the largestAfrican humanitarian aid and development organization with a mission to provide the resources that unlock the abundance of Africa so that every African community can thrive. We are Africans, daily finding local solutions to the unique challenges of Africa, in Africa. ForAfrika is driven by a deep love for the land and for our people. We are here before others come, and we remain after they leave.
Our organization was founded on Christian values. It is with this fibre and heart that we continue to serve our continent and our people without discrimination of race, religion, gender, political stance or any other form. We thank God for the privilege of our calling to serve our people. From initially only providing lifesaving nutritional relief in one country, the organization has grown to deliver a variety of localized program interventions in seven African countries and are soon starting operations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini and Tanzania. ForAfrika is healthy and possesses a very bright future.
ORGANIZATION & FUTURE
With our head office in Johannesburg, South Africa, and 650 staff globally, our goal is to empower 20 million Africans to sustainably provide for themselves by 2032.
HOW WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION
As an organization rooted in the global South, and guided by our Theory of Change, we are focused on locally-led programs to achieve long-term transformational change through:
Responding quickly in emergencies – We offer vital support and resources to our communities when they need us most.
Providing access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) – Working closely with communities to decide the best methods and solutions.
Boosting food security and livelihoods – We help boost food security throughagricultural training and support which leads to more sustainable livelihoods forour people.
Ensuring good health and nutritional support for healthier, stronger communities.
Supporting quality education – Our people will have better futures due to a strong and stable educational environment.
Driving economic growth – We equip our communities with the right skills and access to grow Africa’s economy.
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
OPPORTUNITIES
The overall purpose of this opportunity is to orchestrate and implement fundraising strategies in alignment with ForAfrika’s vision and financial goals while driving forward organizational initiatives, elevating our presence, and establishing a strong brand identity within the philanthropic, foundations, and corporate sectors.
We have previously and successfully focused our efforts on building a high-quality delivery system of humanitarian support and aid. However, we have not done an equally good job focusing a strategy on long-term sustained growth. Together, we will develop this strategy and plan.
With the exciting mission of ForAfrika, this “called” Director of Development/VP for Philanthropy, Foundations, and corporate sectors will develop a fundraising strategy and infrastructure to more successfully communicate and connect ForAfrika to these large-scale entities. They will work in coordination with the Chief Development Officer.
The person in this role will diligently pray and seek to multiply and nurture relationships with probable philanthropic donors, foundations, and corporate giving opportunities, leading to greater awareness and investment in ForAfrika.
Invite people to pray for and give financially to further ForAfrika's mission and vision.
CHALLENGES
ForAfrika is healthy in the field – with great promise for the future!
However, we have a lack of leadership focused on developing a diversified funding base. Overemphasis was previously placed on developing programs without a corollary investment in fundraising capacity across Affiliate offices in North America and Europe. We will change this by strengthening our ability to connect with and communicate with these above-referenced entities.
There is a general lack of knowledge among US and Europeans – and among younger generations in particular – regarding God's love and plan for the people of Africa and our work to solve this challenge. As a result, this role will develop and equip philanthropic donors, foundations, and corporate entities with information to support why they should be part of the ForAfrika Donor Team.
ABOUT THE POSITION
To further the vision, impact, and work of ForAFRIKA through engaged and passionate donors globally, ForAFRIKA is seeking a Director of Development or Vice President for Philanthropic, Foundations, and Corporate Giving initiatives. This talented and relational individual will concentrate on strengthening these connections, relationships and building a purposeful fund-raising foundation that possesses an emotional connection to the mission and purpose of ForAFRIKA. Although this is a remote opportunity, candidates must reside near an airport with abundant routes and be willing to travel to donors.
This is a new, first-of-its-kind position for ForAFRIKA, with plenty of future opportunities for the right individual. This person will be highly relational and flexible and will deliver on commitments. The successful candidate will possess significant relationships and networking among Philanthropic Donors, Foundations, and Corporate sectors with a track record of securing gifts and funds for mission driven organizations, alongside a commitment to Africa.
This will be a single-person operation for the near future, so there is limited support other than administrative and functional support. A team is not present to manage or lead. However, this can change when one is created by demand. This individual will understand the fundraising profession and will possess solid networks to move through and find support for ForAfrika…a major African based humanitarian organization. The environment is healthy and energized for the future.
What is the ideal candidate doing now? They may be a professional fundraiser who is driven by the mission of their current organization. Possibly they are serving in a non-profit, charity, humanitarian organization, cause, or purpose-driven organization. This individual is a self-starter and driven with limited oversight. They will be remote and have limited in-person interaction with the overall team. They will be a shop of one until we raise funds and it is abundantly clear of the need to expand.
The candidate will need to be an excellent communicator, passionately sharing his/her love for Africa and our mission.
This gifted individual likely possesses strengths and abilities of:
Strategic Planning
Relational Communication Abilities
Fundraiser within the Philanthropic Community, Foundations, and Corporate Sectors
Creative/Innovator
Marketer with the savvy and confidence of someone persuasive, but within a spiritually, mature context
Proactive in the execution of their duties
POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE: Director of Development/Vice President, Philanthropic, Foundations, and Corporate Initiatives
REPORTING TO: Chief Development Officer
DIRECT REPORTS: One individual is currently on this team
LOCATION: Remote
POSITION SUMMARY
As the Director of Development/VP at ForAfrika, you will hold a pivotal leadership role responsible for the strategic implementation and execution of comprehensive fundraising strategies to advance the organization's vision and financial goals. Reporting directly to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), you will collaborate closely with the Director of Development—Fath-Based, as well as the Director of Development—Grants and Institutional Foundations. Your core objective will be to drive organizational initiatives, elevate our presence, and establish a strong brand identity within the philanthropic, foundations, and corporate sectors.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
1. LMA: Leadership + Management = Accountability
Establish and maintain a culture of accountability by providing clear expectations, setting performance standards in line with our core values (Deep Love for Africa, Dependability, Compassion, Initiative, Discipline).
Empower team members to take ownership of their responsibilities, fostering a collaborative and results-driven culture.
2. Execute Group Philanthropy fundraising strategy
Execute the philanthropy fundraising strategy across the group with an initial focus on North America.
3. Steward strategic Philanthropy relationships
Identify and cultivate relationships with potential high net worth donors, trusts, foundations, and corporations, creating a robust network and pipeline for sustainable funding.
Work closely with Group CEO and CDO to incubate and convert strategic relationships within the philanthropic sector.
Strengthen relationships with affiliate offices outside of North America and the UK to strengthen their ability to generate funding within the philanthropic sector.
Ensure effective donor management, including donor stewardship, accurate and timely reporting, with a focus on donor growth and long-term funding commitments.
4. Deliver on revenue targets
Secure funding according to agreed targets within the philanthropy sector.
Monitor and analyze fundraising performance, regularly assessing the effectiveness of the strategy, and making data-driven adjustments to maximize revenue generation, while ensuring alignment with the organization's long-term financial objectives and growth.
Develop specific targets for each quarter across the targeted geographies.
5. Build FA brand within targeted philanthropy markets
Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to build the FA brand within the philanthropy sector.
Leverage fundraising campaigns to tell compelling stories and showcase the impact of the organization's work, enhancing brand awareness and creating emotional connections with donors, thereby strengthening the brand's image and loyalty among key stakeholders.
6. Budget Management
Develop and manage the fundraising budget, ensuring efficient use of resources.
Monitor and report on fundraising performance against budget goals.
7. Collaboration and Communication
Collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment of fundraising efforts with organizational priorities.
Communicate the impact of donor contributions to inspire ongoing support within the Philanthropic, Foundations, and Corporate Sectors.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE: TECHNICAL
Over ten (10) years of experience in philanthropy roles.
Proven track record in developing, networking, and cultivating philanthropic relationships at high giving levels.
In-depth understanding of the philanthropy and funding sectors, coupled with a working knowledge of key social issues affecting Africa.
Demonstrated success in delivering high-level stewardship of donors.
Successful history of collaborating with senior stakeholders.
Strategic thinker with the ability to envision and execute long-term fundraising goals.
Results-oriented and motivated to achieve fundraising targets.
Understanding of and commitment to ForAfrika values and mission.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND & SKILLS
MSc/MA in Marketing, Development Studies, International Relations, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a relevant subject (preferred but not mandatory).
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and negotiate with a diverse range of stakeholders.
Knowledge of program development and design, resource acquisition, major donors, and donor relations.
Experience working within a fundraising database; proficiency in Salesforce is an asset.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Outstanding interpersonal, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Strong planning and organizational skills with meticulous follow-through.
Diplomatic, analytical, trustworthy, and characterized by the highest personal and professional integrity.
Adaptable and thriving in a dynamic and changing environment.
To learn more about the work of ForAfrika, please visit their website at www.ForAfrika.org. To view their most recent 2022 Annual Impact Report, click here.
If, after prayerfully reviewing this information, you sense this role and organization could be a good fit for you, please click on the APPLY NOW button below. If you know someone who may have an interest, please use the social media share and email buttons at the top.