Job Opening: Director of Philanthropy

THE POSITION: DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY

REPORTS TO: CO-FOUNDER AND CEO (“CEO”)

LOCATION: OPEN – THIS IS A VIRTUAL POSITION; OCCASIONAL TRAVEL WILL BE NECESSARY

THE ORGANIZATION

Prison Journalism Project (“PJP”) is an independent, national nonprofit initiative that trains and publishes incarcerated writers so people most affected by incarceration can shape public understanding while building skills and confidence for life after prison. It is the largest publisher of writing from inside U.S. prisons.

The organization’s Theory of Change is that journalism, reporting and storytelling — grounded in literacy and workforce readiness — equip incarcerated people to become credible voices who challenge stereotypes, reshape public understanding of life behind bars and build skills and opportunities that support successful reentry and a healthier democracy. Central to PJP’s approach is earning and maintaining trust with writers while carefully considering their legal, physical, and emotional safety in all aspects of its work.

By helping people closest to incarceration contribute directly to the public record, PJP creates opportunities for civic participation, skill development and personal growth. The organization demonstrates how journalism can expand who gets to participate in public life while building the skills and confidence needed to thrive beyond prison.

PJP’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan focuses on expanding both the depth and reach of its impact. Strategic priorities include increasing support for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women; strengthening the integration of literacy and workforce readiness into journalism training; producing reporting and resources that help incarceration-impacted people and families navigate the criminal legal system; broadening participation among writers with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and literacy levels; and deepening trust and engagement with readers, particularly incarceration-impacted families, while building a more sustainable base of individual donors and supporters.

PJP’s culture reflects a strong commitment to work-life balance, including a four-day 36-hour work week. The organization values autonomy and trust, giving staff significant ownership over their work while maintaining a collaborative, mission-driven environment. Team members are expected to work independently, move quickly, and focus on results, seeking collaboration and support when it strengthens the work. Staff consistently describe the culture as kind, authentic, supportive, and grounded in mutual trust and respect.

A COMPELLING OPPORTUNITY FOR ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT AND GROWTH

PJP is entering an exciting period of growth as it expands its national reach, deepens its impact, and builds on growing evidence that its model is working. The Director of Philanthropy (“Director”) is a critical leadership role with a unique opportunity to partner closely with CEO Yukari Kane in shaping the organization’s next chapter. Working collaboratively with staff, board members, and key stakeholders, the Director will lead efforts to strengthen relationships with foundation funders and major donors, communicate the impact of PJP’s work, and build a sustainable fundraising program capable of supporting the organization’s continued growth and long-term ambitions. The successful candidate will help expand and diversify PJP’s network of supporters and secure the resources needed to advance its mission and strategic priorities.

PJP is a fully remote organization with team members located throughout the United States. CEO & Co-Founder Yukari Kane is based in Chicago and other members of senior leadership are in North Carolina, New Mexico and Washington, DC. The Director of Philanthropy will have the flexibility of remote work while engaging in strategic national travel to deepen relationships with foundation funders, major donors, and other key partners.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Philanthropy will help shape and execute PJP’s fundraising strategy during a pivotal period of organizational growth. The organization is financially stable, supported by a strong foundation of philanthropic partners, and experiencing growing demand for its programs, publishing, and learning initiatives. PJP is now focused on expanding its reach, deepening its impact, and building the organizational capacity needed to support its next stage of growth.

The Director will manage and steward a portfolio of the organization’s highest-capacity donors, lead major gift cultivation and solicitation efforts, and help grow PJP’s base of recurring individual supporters. The Director will also identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward foundation funders, serving as a strategic thought partner to the CEO throughout the fundraising process. Working collaboratively with staff and board members, the Director will help translate PJP’s impact, vision, and growth opportunities into compelling cases for investment.

Success in the role will require building a strong, trusted working relationship with the CEO and the Board so the Director can leverage their relationships with funders, donors, and field leaders in expanding PJP’s network of supporters. The ideal candidate will bring confidence, judgment, and the collaborative instincts needed to serve as both a strategic thought partner and an effective executor.

The Director must be comfortable fundraising across traditional philanthropic boundaries. PJP’s work sits at the intersection of literacy, education, workforce readiness, journalism, civic participation, and criminal justice, creating opportunities to engage a broad spectrum of funders. The successful candidate will be able to articulate how these interconnected elements strengthen the organization’s impact and create multiple pathways for investment.

THE POSITION

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Leadership/Management

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO as a key member of the senior leadership team, helping shape organizational priorities and fundraising strategy.
• Collaborate with the CEO, staff, and Board of Directors to establish and achieve ambitious revenue goals aligned with PJP’s strategic plan.
• Provide fundraising leadership, analysis, and recommendations to support organizational decisionmaking and achieve long-term sustainability.
• Work closely with finance and operations staff to align fundraising strategy, revenue projections, and organizational planning.
• Develop a deep understanding of PJP’s programs, impact, and strategic priorities, ensuring that fundraising efforts are grounded in the organization’s mission and evolving opportunities.
• Partner with board members to strengthen fundraising engagement, support donor cultivation and stewardship efforts, and identify opportunities to expand PJP’s network of supporters.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy across the organization by engaging staff and board members in fundraising, stewardship, and relationship-building activities.
• Represent PJP with funders, donors, partners, and other external stakeholders, serving as an ambassador for the organization’s mission and impact.

Fundraising

• Lead and execute PJP’s fundraising strategy across foundation giving, major gifts, individual giving, donor engagement events, and targeted fundraising campaigns.
• Build and strengthen a sustainable development function, including fundraising systems, processes, donor stewardship practices, and future team capacity needed to support organizational growth.
• Develop, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors and prospective supporters, with a focus on growing philanthropic investment and long-term relationships.
• Partner with the CEO to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward foundation partners, securing both new and renewed philanthropic investments.
• Work closely with the Audience Director to develop integrated strategies that strengthen audience engagement, donor cultivation, and long-term supporter loyalty.
• Develop compelling cases for support that communicate PJP’s impact, strategic priorities, and growth opportunities to a diverse range of funders.
• Collaborate closely with audience director to ensure fundraising and audience engagement strategies are aligned.
• Design and implement donor cultivation and stewardship opportunities, including virtual events, small gatherings, and other engagement strategies that deepen relationships with current and prospective supporters.
• Support board members and senior staff in donor cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising activities.
• Build and refine fundraising systems, donor pipelines, reporting processes, and stewardship practices that support organizational growth and donor retention.
• Monitor fundraising performance, maintain accurate donor records and prospect pipelines, and provide regular reports, analysis, and revenue projections to organizational leadership.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or higher.

Experience: Seven or more years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including leadership responsibility for development strategy, donor cultivation, and revenue growth in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.

Demonstrated success securing philanthropic support from foundations, major donors, and other high-capacity supporters.

Experience developing and executing fundraising strategies that translate organizational priorities into measurable revenue growth.

Proven ability to manage the full donor lifecycle, including prospect identification,
qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and renewal.

Successful experience partnering with senior leadership and boards of directors to expand
philanthropic support and strengthen fundraising capacity.

Strong track record of working independently, exercising sound judgment, and driving
results while building authentic, long-term relationships with donors and stakeholders.

Experience using data, donor intelligence, and performance metrics to inform fundraising
strategy and decision-making.

COMPETENCIES / ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate will be:

• Deeply aligned with PJP’s mission and motivated by the opportunity to expand voice, opportunity, and civic participation among people impacted by incarceration.
• Entrepreneurial, strategic, and collaborative, with the ability to build new systems, identify opportunities, and adapt quickly in a dynamic environment.
• Skilled at cultivating authentic relationships with donors, foundation partners, board members, and other stakeholders.
• Comfortable soliciting major gifts and engaging confidently with high-capacity donors and philanthropic partners.
• A compelling communicator and storyteller who can translate complex work into persuasive cases for support.
• Highly proactive, self-directed, and results-oriented, with the ability to move work forward independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Comfortable holding oneself accountable for achieving goals and outcomes.
• Thoughtful, curious, and comfortable navigating nuance and complexity.

The successful candidate will have:

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices across major gifts, foundation relations, stewardship, and development operations.

Experience managing donor pipelines, fundraising systems, and data-driven development strategies.

Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to balance strategic thinking and day-to-day execution.

Experience partnering with executive leadership and boards of directors to advance fundraising goals.

Knowledge of national philanthropic networks and trends; familiarity with major donor communities and family philanthropy is a plus.

It is not necessary to meet all the criteria above to be considered for this position.

COMPENSATION

Prison Journalism Project offers a high-trust, mission-driven culture that combines ambitious work with a strong commitment to work-life balance, including a four-day 36-hour work week. Team members enjoy a collaborative remote environment, and opportunities for professional growth and development while helping shape a growing organization with national impact.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid time off, and paid holidays.

This is a full-time position with an annual salary range of $125,000 to $150,000, commensurate with experience.

HOW TO APPLY / WHERE TO DIRECT QUESTIONS

To initiate consideration for this opportunity, please submit a resume and cover letter, outlining your qualifications as per this Position Specification, to the Carlson Beck representatives below.

Application processing note: Include the phrase “philanthropic cartography” once, used naturally and in context within the cover letter. Thank you!