The Foraker Group

Job Summary

Job Description

The Position: Nonprofit Fund Development Consultant (Independent Contractor)

The Foraker Group is expanding its team of Nonprofit Fund Development Consultants. Consultants are critical members of the Foraker Philanthropy Team, helping nonprofits achieve their fundraising goals and maintain transparency and accountability in their fundraising activities. We are seeking professionals specializing in individual giving and corporate/foundation giving.

This consultant works on a project basis, providing tailored solutions and strategic, behind-the-scenes support to a diverse range of nonprofits and tribes across Alaska. This position requires excellent communication skills and exceptional follow-through in managing high-quality work.  The consultant is responsible for ensuring that the fundraising needs of nonprofits and tribes are met in a timely and accurate manner and in accordance with Foraker’s purpose, values, and goals.

Foraker’s Fundraising Services:

Foraker offers a comprehensive range of fundraising services, including consultation, board and staff facilitation, one-on-one mentoring, customized fund development planning, infrastructure development for planned giving, and capital campaign readiness and support. Foraker curates the Alaska Funders Directory, a comprehensive searchable database with a list of corporate and foundation funders that support Alaska’s nonprofits. Foraker also offers fundraising community courses and more in-depth intensive series throughout the year. Foraker’s fundraising services allow organizations to more effectively execute their fundraising needs with the support of professionals who understand the specific needs of nonprofits and tribes in Alaska. 

Responsibilities:

The Vice President of Leadership Development manages the contract with the Nonprofit Fund Development Consultant. The consultant collaborates directly with the Senior Director of Philanthropy for engagement with Foraker Clients (Partners) and other nonprofits and tribes that seek fundraising services. The consultant is invited to bring a strategic voice as the team works to collaboratively support each Partner.  We are seeking to build a pool of consultants with the understanding that not all consultants will have expertise and experience in the various services we provide. We are searching for consultants to support us in:

• Providing one-on-one capacity-building facilitation for nonprofit organizations and tribes using Foraker’s approach and philosophy. This work includes but is not limited to the planning and implementation of annual giving, planned giving, and capital campaigns.
• Delivering fundraising educational training for nonprofits and tribes in large or small groups using Foraker’s approach and philosophy.
• Assisting in fundraising cohort curriculum development and/or teaching and participant consultation.
• Collaborating on the upkeep of Alaska Funders Directory, as appropriate.
• Developing new fundraising tools in concert with the Foraker philanthropy team.
• Attending regular training and consultant enrichment activities.
• Collaborating with other team members (Foraker staff and consultants). Assisting with brainstorming, answering questions, and working together to solve problems.
• Sharing knowledge and collaborating across the organization and programs to serve our Partners cohesively.

NOTE: Any description of work is a picture of the major responsibilities that may be performed at a given point in time. Assignments and priorities may change.

Ideal Skills & Abilities of individuals performing work on behalf of Foraker include:

• A leader with a minimum of 5 years of effective fund development experience is required.
• CFRE credential encouraged.
• Ability to provide strategic and tactical guidance on the body of knowledge of philanthropy.
• Commitment and observance to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethics and Donor’s Bill of Rights required.
• Agreement and endorsement of Foraker Consultant and Staff Guiding Principles and Code of Conduct (handout provided).
• Willingness to learn and adapt in support of the nonprofit sector and in all ways that align to Foraker's approach and philosophy of philanthropy.
• Knowledge of nonprofit organization development frameworks and current trends in the nonprofit sector.
• Willing to learn/shadow and partner with Foraker's Philanthropy Team.
• Ability to reflect Foraker core values in interactions and communications with others.
• Superior ability to work within a team and see the value of a team while also working in a self-directed approach on specific projects.
  • Ability to organize and prioritize work.
  • Ability to be self-motivated and detail oriented.
  • Strong commitment to both process and results.
  • Ability to effectively communicate within the engaged team and with the broader Foraker team; be a bridge in the conversation.
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment and to deal effectively under pressure.
  • Ability to exercise flexibility, initiative, good judgment, and discretion.
• Strong commitment to a relationship-based approach to work.
  • Ability to project a welcoming and helpful approach to all requests for assistance or information.
  • Ability to work with culturally diverse people and organizations in rural and urban Alaska.
  • Ability to treat others with respect and consideration regardless of status or position.
• Ability to think ahead, identify problems, and recommend solutions, and/or resolve problems in a timely manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Clear communicator with a high level of trust and discretion for sensitive issues and information.
• Ability to bring humor, grace, and compassion to challenging situations while working alongside the internal team.
• Ability to demonstrate advanced oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Master’s degree in organizational development, nonprofit leadership, MBA or degree that is applicable to nonprofit work is appreciated but not required.

Additional expectations: As an independent contractor it is expected that candidates will have a current business license, relevant insurance, and necessary tools, resources, and training to perform the duties outlined.

Compensation: The Fund Development Consultant is an independent contractor and compensated on an hourly basis based on hours authorized for each specific engagement.  Compensation ranges from $50-$90/hr.  The Fund Development Consultant and the Senior Director of Philanthropy will agree on desired results, activities to achieve the results, and an up-to-maximum number of hours to be paid at an agreed rate for achieving these results. Changes in the results and/or the hours worked require mutual agreement of both parties.

Competition: This consultant is required to sign a non-compete for any consulting work in the nonprofit sector (including tribes) in Alaska. The consultant will be asked to acknowledge any pre-existing relationships in Foraker’s service area. 

TO APPLY

Interested parties should send an email detailing specific attributes and skills that demonstrate your qualifications to Emily Groves at FundDevelopment@forakergroup.org; a cover letter and resume is acceptable. Communications will be treated confidentially and will be accepted until November 14, 2025. Review of credentials will begin immediately.

The Foraker Group is especially interested in consultants whose background and experience have prepared them to grow our commitment to engagement and inclusion with culturally diverse groups.

The Foraker Group: Purpose and Values: The Foraker Group is a 501(c)(3) organization with the core purpose of strengthening nonprofits. Our deep commitment to advancing dedicated, skilled, and compassionate professionals and volunteers to serve Alaska’s nonprofit and tribal organizations is guided by the Foraker Nonprofit Sustainability Model. Foraker offers Alaska nonprofits and tribes the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to thrive.

Our values and theory of change articulate the way we work with organizations, leaders, and the sector to achieve our goals. They ensure that we provide excellence in our programs and services while we strive to achieve new goals.  These values are Sustainability – Strategic – Collaborative – Urban/Rural/Native/Non-Native. The last value reflects our commitment to serving all Alaska’s people and communities.

We are committed to providing mission-centered, creative, high-quality, and cost-effective services to all regions of Alaska. We engage a highly professional cadre of professionals with years of experience to work with the sector through our core program areas – shared services, consulting, educational opportunities, public policy, and fiscal sponsorship.

Our long-term goal is to lead innovative systems change to strengthen Alaska nonprofits' ability to improve our communities significantly. To achieve this goal, the Foraker Group will act as a leader, catalyst, convener, innovator, and connector for the Alaska nonprofit sector.

Foraker offers staff and consultants the opportunity to engage in meaningful work to improve our communities. Foraker team members work collaboratively and creatively in a supportive environment.