Fundraising Consultant - Black Farmer Fund : Job Details

Black Farmer Fund seeks a development and fundraising consultant to support a capital raise for the organization's “BFF Fund 2.0.” BFF Fund 2.0 is a $20 million integrated capital fund that was launched in March 2023. This pool of funding provides Black agricultural and food businesses in the Northeast with grants, patient debt capital, and technical assistance to optimize their growth potential and social impact. This new fund allows for deeper investment in entrepreneurs, with checks up to $500,000 per business. The integrated capital model includes 10 million of investor capital, and 10 million of grant capital.

This Request For Proposal (RFP) will focus on the remaining grant capital raise, as the investor capital raise is complete. At the time of this request, BFF has approximately $7.8 million to raise. We are seeking a consultant to lead the raise for 75% of the remaining amount to raise at the time of hire, and would be expected to handle gifts from prospect to close. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of raising six figure and above gifts, extensive experience in all aspects of fundraising, with particular expertise in corporate giving.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Raising at least 75% of the remaining BFF 2.0 fund, which at the time of this request is approximately 7.8 million, with 75% being approximately 5.8 million.
• Funder cultivation: finding new funders for BFF 2.0
• Completing fundraising deadlines according to agreed timeline
• Cultivating funders: setting up meetings with potential funders, sending them materials, inviting them to BFF events, etc
• Closing gifts: completing all requirements to closing a gift, such as grant submissions, letters of interests, etc
• Representing BFF at events/meetings
• Coordinating with BFF internal staff on development-related administrative processes such as salesforce data management, data tracking, grant management/organization
• Drafting a fundraising strategy within the first 30 days of contract
• Monitoring industry news and events for potential speaking engagements for BFF 2.0

Note: Occasional (reimbursable) travel may be required for fundraising strategy, prospecting, and other related activities;

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong corporate giving background and experience: established connections with corporate giving partners, and strong experience in cooperation giving/corporate social responsibility
• Experience with individual donors, institutional giving, and crowdfunding
• Grant writing and grant proposal experience
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ideally based in the Northeast, and at the minimum able to work on Eastern Standard Time
• Experience and comfort with working in a fully remote environment
• Prior experience fundraising for environmental causes/agriculture causes/Black led organizations