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Position Title: Manager, Local News Sustainability, Report for America
Date: November 2024
Reports To: Director, Local News Sustainability
FLSA: Exempt
Location: Remote USA
GENERAL SUMMARY
Are you passionate about the future of local journalism and skilled in fundraising? The Manager, Local News Sustainability will work with partner newsrooms to build their capacity to raise local philanthropic support. In concert with the Director of Local News Sustainability, this role will engage in one-on-one mentorship and host cohort-based fundraising advising in-person and through virtual tools.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Assess Newsroom Needs: Conduct thorough evaluations of partner newsrooms to identify specific challenges and opportunities, providing tailored support to enhance their sustainability and impact.
- Provide Direct Local News Sustainability Support: Offer hands-on assistance and resources to help newsrooms implement effective strategies for growth and fundraising, ensuring they can thrive in their communities.
- Prioritize and Assign Deliverables: Strategically prioritize and delegate tasks and deliverables to newsroom partners, ensuring alignment with their goals and maximizing efficiency in meeting project timelines.
- Track Newsroom Success Stories: Monitor and document the achievements of partner newsrooms, showcasing their impact and growth to inspire further support and engagement.
- Draft Campaign Materials: Collaborate with newsroom partners to create compelling campaign materials that effectively communicate their stories, needs, and fundraising goals.
- Create Donor Profiles: Develop comprehensive profiles for both individual and institutional donors, highlighting their interests, giving history, and alignment with our mission to enhance targeted outreach and relationship-building.
- Review Grant Proposals: Evaluate grant proposals submitted by newsroom partners, providing constructive feedback and ensuring alignment with funding opportunities and organizational objectives.
- Write Letters of Support: Craft impactful letters of support for newsroom partners seeking funding, emphasizing their contributions to local journalism and community engagement.
- Oversee Fundraising Software: Manage the fundraising software platform, ensuring its effective use for fundraising and reporting, while also approving related expenses to maintain budgetary compliance.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising or philanthropic advising.
- A genuine passion for local journalism and a deep understanding of journalism philanthropy is highly desirable.
- Proven experience in training or mentoring individuals in one-on-one or cohort settings.
- Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and effective project management capabilities.
- Ability to thrive in a collaborative nonprofit environment, working effectively with diverse stakeholders.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Must occasionally travel to offsite locations outside normal business hours, or if traveling during business hours, the mode of transportation is the fastest option available so as not to impede normal business operations.
- Must be able to exchange and communicate accurate information in response to questions posed via email, on the phone or in person.
- Must be able to move items weighing more than 30 pounds.
- Must be able to operate and use a computer such that tasks are completed within reasonable timeframes, meeting deadlines and commitments.
- Must be able to work with all levels of management inside and outside of the organization.
ABOUT REPORT FOR AMERICA
Report for America (RFA) is a transformative national service program dedicated to revitalizing local journalism by placing skilled journalists in newsrooms to cover under-reported issues and communities. Report for America supports newsrooms by providing grant funds to cover the journalist’s salary, enabling newsrooms to leverage new reporters to engage with untapped audiences and generate additional revenue. In its mission to nurture both the next generation of journalists and newsrooms, Report for America offers essential fundraising support, training, and peer engagement. These initiatives focus on critical topics such as philanthropy and innovative tools like AI, empowering newsrooms to sustain their operations and better serve their communities. In 2023 alone, Report for America helped local newsrooms raise an impressive $7.4 million, contributing to a remarkable total of $30 million in local revenue generated since the program’s inception. Join us in supporting the future of local journalism and ensuring that every community has access to the vital stories that matter most.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.
*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.