POSITION SPECIFICATION

The Situation

The Media Research Center (MRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education foundation, based in Alexandria, Virginia. Founded by L. Brent Bozell III in 1987, with the mission of bringing political balance to the nation’s news media and responsibility to the entertainment media, the MRC has grown into the nation’s largest and most respected conservative media watchdog organization. (For additional information about MRC see the Media Research Center on the Web,)

MRC publishes newsletters, Mediawatch, Notable Quotables, CyberAlert, a daily analysis of network news and Medianomics (Internet only), and reaches more than one million readers online through CNSNEWS.com.   Mr. Bozell is a nationally syndicated author whose writings have appeared in some of the most prestigious publications in the country, including: The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Washington Times, Los Angeles Times and National Review, and is co-editor of And That’s the Way It Isn’t: A Reference Guide to Media Bias. MCR members also are kept informed and updated on liberal bias in the media through FLASH, the Media Research Center’s monthly members’ report.

The MRC’s track record in fund-raising is outstanding. In 1996, the goal was $2.8 million; actual funds raised totaled $2.7 million plus. By 1999, the goal had increased to $3.9 million; actual funds raised totaled more than $4.5 million.

Attractions

A mature, financially sound organization. The MRC has been up and running for 13 years.

The MRC’s outstanding track record in fund-raising, exceeding a $4 million goal by over $500,000. Its strong donor base includes individuals, corporations, and more than fifty foundations that contribute on a regular basis.

Being a key part of the team in leading the MRC’s Endowment and Capital Campaign Goal of $110 million by the end of year 2005, including fellowships, specialized operations, and capital funding..  The MRC receives, annually, a contribution of $5000 or more from each of its 100 Trustees, contributions of $1000 or more from 236 individuals including Associates, and a minimum of $100 from more than 4000 others.

MRC’s monthly members’ news report, FLASH, which is a good fund-raiser.

The fund-raising expertise of Founder and Chairman Brent Bozell, who is available when needed.

The experience of Executive Director Doug Mills, who comes from a strong banking business and academic fund-raising background that includes capital campaign management.

Being a part of the most active and impactful organization in today’s conservative movement.

CNSNews.com has launched a partnership with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and its Collegiate Network to provide a free, regular wire service product to their member newspapers.

Critical Issues

Candidates must be in complete agreement with Media Research Center issues.

MRC wants a Director of Development who will drive the development operation, set the calendar and activities, and make them happen.

The Position

Reports to: Executive Director of the MRC.

Supervises: Four associate development officers, one of whom is the planned giving coordinator, one fund-raising consultant and two support staff positions.

Basic Function:

Supervise MRC development associates and support staff in the day-to-day activities of a high-dollar development program. Create, maintain, and utilize current Development Office principles to assist in this program. Oversee the maintenance of accounting and filing records for all high-dollar, fund-raising operations. Also be responsible for making sure that funding is provided for the MRC’s operations.

Major Responsibilities:

Develop and manage the Development Plan for the MRC fund-raising program to achieve established annual and special-needs goals by quarter and year end.

As a member of the senior management team, participate in the planning process to establish organizational goals and objectives for near- and long-term strategic plans.

Actively develop prospect relationships and conduct individual solicitations and visits.

Organize, hire and supervise Development staff, with concurrence of management, to achieve goals and objectives on time.

Work through the Executive Director to involve and orchestrate the MRC’s top leaders in the fund-raising process.

Duties:

Set annual and long-range fund-raising dollar goals according to the MRC’s organizational needs, and develop plans to meet these goals.

Ensure adequate personnel and support coverage to develop and solicit funds from individuals, foundations, corporations, businesses, trade and professional organizations, for the purpose of raising annual, special, capital, deferred and planned, and in-kind contributions.

Train and supervise fund-raising professionals and staff to achieve established goals, including performance monitoring, reviews, and salary and bonus recommendations.

Development of and responsibility for the annual Development Department budget, both income and expenses which are reviewed monthly.

Review and update senior management on Development activities and reporting of fund-raising results on an ongoing basis.

Organize, guide, supervise and prepare regular donor communications to inform and educate all donors and prospects of the mission, activities and impact of the MRC.

Organize, guide and supervise the creation of all fund-raising letters and proposals to meet the special needs of each prospect and foundation grant request.

Organize and coordinate adequate Development support functions to maximize the efforts of High Dollar and Telemarketing fund-raisers. These functions would include: systems, records, research, acknowledgments, follow-up, referrals, donor recognition, progress reports, donor newsletters, brochures and presentation materials, scheduling of donor calls in the field, and scheduling of visits of donors and prospects to the MRC when they are in Washington, DC.

Plan, organize and supervise events that will enable the MRC to meet with, inform, and develop ongoing relationships with donors and prospects. These would include annual Trustee and Associate meetings as well as regional receptions and luncheons that provide an opportunity for the MRC to tell its story.

Regularly conduct cultivation and solicitation of prospects and donors.

All other duties necessary to insure the success of the MRC and its fund-raising efforts.

Qualifications

The Ideal Person Should Have:

Experience directing and executing major gift fund-raising, with increasing responsibility, in at least one other organization of comparable size. This should include experience in planned giving and marketing.

Understanding of foundation and corporate giving. The MRC receives grants from more than fifty foundations and contributions from more than 15 major corporations.

Successful record of good interpersonal relationships in working and fund-raising situations.

Knowledge of, and interest in, media and entertainment.

The Ideal Person Should Be:

Goal and team oriented.

Able to:

Identify with the mission of the MRC, preferably with experience working for conservative causes or organizations.

Develop a participative process and contribute to where the MRC is going.

Set example as a leader, motivating staff.

"Close" with donors.

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