Andrea Densham is a Senior Strategic Advisor to the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Resources: Take Action

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James Kessler is a scientist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. His educational background comprises an engineering degree in Earth Systems Science and a Master’s of Science from the University of Michigan. He has dedicated his research efforts to understanding the intricate physical processes of large lakes and creating numerical models of ice and hydrodynamics.

Resources:

Great Lakes Products

Great Lakes Ice Cover

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Title: Vice President of Development  

Status: Full-time, Exempt  

Location: Chicago preferred  

Role: The Vice President of Development (VPD) will lead our strategic fundraising growth and donor relations efforts for the next five years and beyond. The VPD establishes and leads implementation of long-range fundraising strategy and will be a key advisor informing future organizational strategy.  

Structure: The VPD reports to the President & CEO, manages the Development Team, and works closely with other senior staff leaders. They serve as liaison to our Board of Directors Vice-Chair for Development.  

Compensation and Benefits: Starting range is $120,000-140,000, commensurate with experience. Medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays, 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO; Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary.  

Work Environment: Flexible hybrid in-person downtown Chicago office and remote TBD; travel required.  

Overview

The Alliance for the Great Lakes seeks its next Vice President of Development (VPD) to lead our strategic fundraising growth and donor relations efforts for the next five years and beyond. The VPD establishes and leads implementation of the organization’s long-range fundraising strategy to support organizational growth during and beyond the current strategic plan. They will be a key advisor informing the Alliance’s next program strategy. They lead the Alliance’s effort to connect donors and resources to our strategy and organization and ensure that Alliance leaders are positioned to create opportunities for revenue growth. They build the networks, narratives and opportunities that energize and engage the Alliance’s individual donors, family foundations, and business partners.  

The VPD is part of the organizational Leadership Team. They work closely with the Finance and Operations Team, which leads on revenue & expense accounting, grant budgeting, Salesforce administration and reporting, and project management. The VPD also works collaboratively with the VP of Communication and Engagement and their team, which markets the Alliance’s lower-dollar donor program. They partner with the COO on management of foundation grant fundraising, which requires extensive collaboration with program staff.  

The VPD manages the Development Team, comprising the Foundation & Corporate Giving Manager, Individual Giving Manager and Development Associate. The team is responsible for day-to-day execution of institutional, family, and mid- to high-level individual fundraising. They are accountable for delivery of annual and multiyear revenue objectives, and for achieving growth and retention targets.  

The VPD will start work from a position of strength. Our staff of 26 and 18-member Board of Directors include some of the country’s leading Great Lakes advocates, experts and communicators. Our organization has a well-regarded record of recent and historic successes dating to 1970. The Alliance’s capacity stands tall among state and regional environmental advocacy organizations across the country, with more than $10 million in assets of which more than 70% is unrestricted. We draw more than $1 million in support from individual and family donors each year. Combined with a sterling reputation among private foundations and businesses, the Alliance generates more than $4 million in revenue annually from a diverse base of donors. 

The long-term goals of this position are: 

By the end of 2024, the Alliance can raise $5MM+ in annual sustainable revenue. 

Within five years, the Alliance is sustaining sufficient annual sustainable revenue to support completion of our 2025 strategic plan, with a likely target of at least $7MM, with most growth coming from individuals, families and businesses. 

A typical week for the VPD might begin with a round of donor follow-ups to secure meetings. After that, you meet with the CEO and Board Vice-Chair for Development to outline needs for a Board fundraising strategy planning session happening next month. Tuesday is major donor meeting day and you’ve been able to secure two appointments in the same day in the Chicago suburbs, but they are far apart so you are on the road and chatting with our supporters. Wednesday kicks off in the office with a full team meeting to confirm highest priorities for the next week. Later that day, you have individual check-ins with each of your staff. Last week at an event you attended, a current Alliance donor offered to meet to discuss a potential new six-figure gift, so Thursday you work with the CEO to decide how to frame the next conversation. Friday, one of your team members brings over marketing content from the Communications and Engagement team to figure out how to use it to reach our higher-level donors. You update changes in Salesforce for the week and get yourself ready to start follow ups again on Monday. 

Responsibilities

Strategy 

The VPD creates and leads the development strategy that supports the Alliance’s current strategic plan and positions the organization for its next phase of growth.    

• Create a fundraising strategy and action plan aligned to and integrated with the organization’s current objectives and long-term vision  
• Design program narratives, descriptions of needs, and success stories in ways that engage and excite the donors with the ability to grow the Alliance’s revenue  
• Set the annual revenue objectives with Alliance leadership, and design the tactical plans that will ensure progress toward the fundraising strategy goal  
• Create and lead an intentional moves management strategy that reflects a multi-year pipeline of donor upgrades, growth and retention  
• Provide guidance and recommendations on future organizational strategy in collaboration with the CEO and board leaders   

• Advance the Alliance’s diversity, equity, inclusion and justice principles in alignment with development goals. 

Relationships 

The VPD is the primary connector between the Alliance’s programs and those with the ability to support our work. 

• Maintain and grow a portfolio of primary donor relationships that provide a substantial annual foundation for the Alliance’s work 

• Lead creation of communications that energize and engage mid- and high-level individual, family and business donors 
• Activate the President & CEO, board members and other Alliance leaders on external donor relations, public relations and influence building, and specific gift ask opportunities 
• Design points of engagement throughout the year and across the region between mid-to-high level individual, family, foundation and business donors and the Alliance board and staff  
• Use convening and events to build and nurture relationships and philanthropic influence 
• Advise on creation of digital and print materials to ensure fundraising relevance of Alliance image and brand  

Accountability 

The VPD has primary responsibility for setting and reporting on the key performance indicators that demonstrate progress toward fundraising strategy goals. 

• Set metrics and KPIs for successful implementation of the fundraising strategy and relevant annual targets. 
• Partner with the Finance and Operations team to ensure revenue and donor data captured in Salesforce supports robust and transparent analysis of progress 

• Report regularly to Leadership staff and Board of Directors 
• Identify and recommend timely strategic and tactical changes to address shortfalls and missed opportunities. 

Management 

The VPD leads and supervises a team of staff and administers the Development department.  

• Manage development staff charged with tactical implementation of annual fundraising plans for mid- and high-level individual and family donors, institutional foundations, and businesses. 
• Create and track annual budget and workplan for department 
• Evaluate staff performance comprehensively, including for progress toward annual objectives and fulfillment of organizational values  
• Mentor and coach staff to listen to and partner with program staff to advance the fundraising strategy 
• Manage fundraising engagement of the Board of Directors through the Development Committee in partnership with the Vice-Chair for Development 

• Illustrate the impact of philanthropy to our full staff 
• Nurture, grow and develop a passionate, inspired and accountable staff team aligned to the Alliance’s values and principles

Knowledge/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of experience in fundraising at increasing levels of responsibility, with a preference for a focus in major individual, family and corporate giving 
• Demonstrated success building and implementing multiyear fundraising strategy to grow a portfolio of mid and high level ($1000 – $100K+) individual/family and corporate/business ($25K – $100K+) gifts 
• Track record of building trusted relationships with individual donors, with intuitive ability to understand and communicate organizational programs, priorities and motivations 
• Demonstrated skill at crafting narratives and stories that amplify organizational success and create compelling cases for future giving 
• Expert ability to develop donor pipelines, and establish KPIs that inform efficient and smart tactical fundraising choices 
• Keen understanding of real-world fundraising environment, with demonstrated ability to adapt both to immediate external disruptions and  long-term trends 
• Staff supervision experience 
• Actively engaged in professional development and ongoing learning networks within philanthropy sector 
• Familiarity and comfort with policy advocacy as a primary organizational mission 
• Strong network and relationship portfolio in one or more of the Alliance’s priority revenue growth streams including mid-level individual, major individual/family, and corporate donors 
• Strong networks within the philanthropic community, especially in Chicago. Access to other networks in the Great Lakes region desired, particularly in northern Ohio, Michigan, and eastern Wisconsin 
• Innate sense of diplomacy, tact and poise around all kinds of people 
• Experience diversifying an individual donor base, with a priority of building relationships with donors across generational, geographic and cultural boundaries 
• Experience coordinating with mass marketing acquisition and stewardship that drives small donor giving and generates new leads 
• Experience motivating members of a board of directors to engage on fundraising strategy and relationship building 
• Unwavering commitment to building, managing and mentoring inclusive teams that cut across diversities of race, gender, culture, socioeconomic class, and geography. 
• Commitment to and passion for mission-driven public interest work related to the Great Lakes, clean water, climate adaptation, and the role of water in community and regional resilience and revitalization.  
• Commitment to Alliance values of community, relationships, courage, integrity, and optimism  
• Collaborative, collegial, with a good sense of humor and ability to adapt to diverse work styles; adept at working in teams and independently in both virtual and in-person settings. 
• Familiar with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software 
• Familiarity with Salesforce and commitment to using the system as the Alliance’s repository of all donor data and relational knowledge 

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy.  The starting salary range is $120,000-140,000 commensurate with experience. 
• Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays, 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO; and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after 30 days. 
• The preference is for the VPD to be in the Chicago/southern Lake Michigan area due to proximity of donor base and staff team. Open to discussion of location with qualified candidates. Travel within the Lake Michigan region is required, with occasional travel elsewhere in the Great Lakes region. 

Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references and writing sample to: 

hr@greatlakes.org. Include job title in the subject line. 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries please. 

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.  

Our vision is a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters. 

The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes.   

To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live our values of Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity and Optimism, and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principle is backed by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff.  

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Speakers include Alliance for the Great Lakes policy experts:
Joel Brammeier, President & CEO
Crystal M.C. Davis, Vice President for Policy and Strategic Engagement
Don Jodrey, Director of Federal Relations
Jennifer Caddick, Vice President, Communications & Engagement (Moderator)

Resources:

Top 5 Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities for 2023 – Alliance for the Great Lakes

The post Ask Us Anything! Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities Q&A (Webinar) Season 2, Episode 25 appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

As the Director of Federal Relations in Washington, D.C., Don Jodrey represents the Alliance and its federal priorities while building upon and maintaining its relationships with members of Congress, their staff, and federal agencies.

Resources:

Top 5 Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities for 2023 – Alliance for the Great Lakes

Webinar Registration – Great Lakes Priorities in Washington, DC – Ask Us Anything!

The post Top 5 Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities for 2023 Season 2, Episode 24 appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

When people of the Great Lakes work together, we can make a huge impact! 

Thank you for everything you’ve done for the lakes this year. You believed in our mission. You stood up for the lakes. You were part of a community of thousands of volunteers, donors, advocates, and supporters who made great things happen for the lakes and the people who live here.

Here are just a few things we accomplished together in 2022:

• We secured a historic federal investment to keep invasive carp out of the Great Lakes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers now has the full funding to complete the engineering and design, and begin construction on a project at the Brandon Road Lock & Dam, a critical choke point for keeping invasive carp from reaching Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes.

• We won an additional $1 billion federal investment in Great Lakes restoration. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will use the bulk of the funding to clean up and restore Great Lakes Areas of Concern, some of the region’s most environmentally contaminated and degraded sites, by 2030.

• We’re co-convening the State Revolving Fund Advocates Forum, a diverse community working to ensure that once-in-a-generation federal water funds are allocated to the hardest-hit communities and advance resilience to climate change. Our group of community leaders and policy experts is playing a pivotal role in reforming the biggest state water funding programs to ensure that all Great Lakers have access to clean, safe, and affordable water.

• We published a first-of-its-kind case study that found water bills are higher for communities that pull their drinking water from Lake Erie. The study highlights the fact that water users far away from pollution sources are paying the real cost of protecting their families from a problem they did not create: harmful, and sometimes toxic, algal blooms caused by farm runoff.

• We activated our supporters to speak out in support of protecting the Great Lakes. People around the Great Lakes region sent over 13,000 emails to their members of Congress, urging their representatives to invest in fixing failing water and wastewater infrastructure, stop invasive carp, and champion the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and Clean Water Act.

• Adopt-a-Beach volunteers surpassed more than half a million pounds of litter collected at cleanup events since the Alliance began tracking data in 2003. The Alliance’s data shows that more than 85% of the litter cleaned up is made entirely or partly of plastic, putting our volunteers on the front lines of keeping plastic pollution out of the lakes.

And there’s so much more. 

A special thank you to everyone who donated to our Giving Tuesday challenge. You helped us beat our goal of $30,000. I appreciate your generosity.

Whenever you give to the Alliance, you can be confident that your gift is in good hands. The Alliance for the Great Lakes has earned two top charitable ratings in recognition of the organization’s financial health, accountability, and transparency: Charity Navigator’s Four-Star Rating and Guidestar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency.

Have a happy and peaceful December.

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New Board Members: Dr. Sri Vedachalam & Dr. Wren Montgomery

Dr. Sri Vedachalam is Director, Water Equity and Climate Resilience, at ECT, Inc., where he works with communities to address their water quality and access challenges. He is a water policy specialist, and his work has covered national water issues such as affordability, aging infrastructure, extreme weather impacts, financing, public trust, and non-point source pollution. Prior to this role, he set up and grew the water program at the Environmental Policy Innovation Center, turning it from a one-person operation to a national powerhouse. During his stint as researcher at the Cornell University-based New York State Water Resources Institute, he experienced first-hand the beauty of the Great Lakes region.

He currently serves on the advisory board for the communications nonprofit Water Hub, and is a member of Blue Accounting’s Drinking Water work group facilitated by the Great Lakes Commission. Dr. Vedachalam is also the Editor for Urban Water at Global Water Forum, a resource for evidence-based, accessible, and open-access articles on freshwater governance. He was named a 2022 Top 10 Young Professional by Water & Wastes Digest. He holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University and lives with his wife and two kids in the Washington, DC metro area.

Dr. Wren Montgomery is Assistant Professor of Sustainability & General Management at Western University’s Ivey Business School in London, Ontario, and a Faculty Affiliate at the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise. Her research, teaching, and impact work focuses on environmental and social organizing, how it changes norms and institutions, and how it interacts with corporations. She is primarily interested in unique forms of collaboration and unconventional coalitions with the potential to overcome obstacles to solving many of the world’s most pressing challenges. Dr. Montgomery focuses on the intersections of climate change, water crises, soil degradation, and social justice. Her multi-year research project on water access and affordability – with a focus on Detroit – has received several prestigious honors.

Dr. Montgomery is deeply committed to doing research that has both academic significance and a more immediate impact on the world around us. She does this by helping students to understand the roots of problems and identify leverage points for change, by working with organizations to raise awareness of these challenges, by highlighting successful approaches and tools, by engaging and working collaboratively with impacted communities, and by serving on government and corporate boards. She is also an experienced management consultant and senior government policy analyst.

New & Returning Officers

Jo-Elle Mogerman was re-elected as Board Chair. Susan McDermott was elected to a second term as Treasurer. Tom Langmyer was elected to his first term as Nominating Committee Chair. Vanessa Tey Iosue was elected to her second term as Vice Chair of Policy.

The board also said farewell to six directors who are term-limited after six years of service: Aaron Fershee, Adrienne Dziak, Claire Castleman, David Schmahl, Lauren Bigelow, and Sue Conatser.

“Thank you to all of our board members – past and present – for their dedication and leadership,” said Joel Brammeier, the Alliance’s President & CEO. “Our work would not be possible without their time and expertise. They are integral to the Alliance’s successes in protecting and restoring this resource we all cherish. We look forward to the contributions of our newest board members and share all our gratitude to those saying farewell.”

For a complete listing of Alliance for the Great Lakes directors and officers, visit our Board of Directors page.

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Joel Brammeier, the Alliance’s President & CEO, and Don Jodrey, our Director of Director of Federal Relations, explain what the midterm election results mean for the Great Lakes. To hear more, listen to our Lakes Chat post-election podcast.

U.S. Senate & House Races

Q: How did things change for the Great Lakes?

A: There are 28 new members of Congress representing Great Lakes residents. Two of them are senators – Republican J.D. Vance in Ohio, and Democrat John Fetterman in Pennsylvania. The other 26 are representatives – 11 Democrats and 15 Republicans. Most Great Lakes incumbents who ran were re-elected. 

Q: What Great Lakes issues will the new Congress need to tackle next year?

A: Annual spending bills. We’ll be looking for Congress to address additional investments in water infrastructure, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and all the other federal programs that the Alliance for the Great Lakes supports. 

The Farm Bill. This is important for the Great Lakes because it deals with federal support for programs that can reduce agricultural runoff in Lake Erie and other Great Lakes waters. The Farm Bill comes up for renewal only once every five years. 

Q: On a national level, it was a very close race. Democrats kept control of the Senate, with one more seat to be decided by a December runoff in Georgia. Republicans have taken control of the House. How will the new makeup of Congress affect the Great Lakes? 

A: “Having the majority in the House or the Senate really does matter. It allows you to set the legislative agenda. It allows you to decide which bills are debated and come up for a vote. It allows you to determine the makeup of the committees, and the committees write the legislation for the Congress to consider. The bills that tend to go forward are bills that have originated in the committee structure.”

~ Don Jodrey, the Alliance’s Director of Federal Relations

Gubernatorial Races

Q: How did things change for the Great Lakes?

A: Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, was elected to fill the open seat for governor in Pennsylvania. Incumbents won re-election in Illinois (J.B. Pritzker), Michigan (Gretchen Whitmer), Minnesota (Tim Walz), New York (Kathy Hochul), Ohio (Mike DeWine), and Wisconsin (Tony Evers).

Q: What Great Lakes issues will individual states tackle next year?

A: “Governor DeWine in Ohio has been focused on agriculture issues in a big way. The biggest source of Lake Erie’s agricultural pollution is in Ohio. I think you’ll see a renewed push for follow-through on the pollution diet that’s being written for Lake Erie in Ohio.

“Governor Whitmer in Michigan has an emphasis on dealing with that state’s water infrastructure challenges. Governor Evers in Wisconsin has focused on issues around water infrastructure and agriculture.

“In all the Great Lakes states, we’re seeing a major investment in water infrastructure that’s been unseen since the seventies. But there’s a lot of work to do over the next four years to make sure that those funds go to where they’re needed most. All the states need to be really smart and strategic about how to get the best clean water outcomes for the largest number of people, and make sure that communities that have been disinvested in for decades, get the support that they need.”

 ~ Joel Brammeier, the Alliance’s President & CEO

Q: Great Lakes states have a long history of bipartisan cooperation across the region. What issues will the states need to work on together?

A: Stopping invasive carp. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun designing a critical project in Illinois to stop invasive carp from reaching Lake Michigan. The first year of construction will be covered by federal funds, but there will need to be some agreements on how to pay for the local share of later construction across state lines. Governors Whitmer and Pritzker will need to continue working together to ensure that this project, which is a priority for both states, actually gets the funding it needs.

Maintaining the Great Lakes Compact. The Compact is the state-level law that governs how Great Lakes water can be used. It makes very limited exceptions for water to be diverted and returned to the Great Lakes. All Great Lakes governors need to work together to maintain the integrity of the Compact.

Local Ballot Measures Signal Strong Support for Environmental Issues

In New York State, voters approved a $4.2 billion environmental bond act. In Cook County, Illinois, where Chicago is located, voters approved an increased tax levy to support the local forest preserves. Each measure passed by a wide margin – about two out of three voters were in support.

Q; In an era where everything seems so divided, when environmental issues stand alone on a ballot, they seem to be pretty successful. Why do you think that’s the case?

A: “Voters understand that a good environment leads to healthy people, healthy families, healthy neighbors and a good quality of life. They’re willing to invest in something that’s going to help their community, improve their own health, and protect clean water and clean air for generations to come.”  ~ Joel Brammeier, the Alliance’s President & CEO

“Environmental investments are also investments in a robust economy and a growing economy. I think people realize that, and that’s why they’re willing to make them. You can have a healthy environment and a healthy economy. Actually investing in the environment is a good economic base, and pays good economic dividends,” ~ Don Jodrey, the Alliance’s Director of Federal Relations

Note: The Alliance for the Great Lakes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that we cannot and do not endorse candidates for office. However, we can – and do – educate candidates about Great Lakes issues.

The post What the 2022 Midterms Mean for the Great Lakes appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, awarded the Alliance for the Great Lakes a top Four-Star Rating. Charity Navigator analyzes nonprofit performance based on four key indicators, referred to as beacons. Currently, nonprofits can earn scores for the Impact & Results, Accountability & Finance, Culture & Community, and Leadership & Adaptability beacons. This rating designates the Alliance as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that our organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria.

Guidestar, the worlds’ largest source of nonprofit information, awarded the Alliance for the Great Lakes the Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition. The award recognizes organizations with a high level of fiscal and programmatic accountability and transparency.

These ratings demonstrate the Alliance’s commitment to responsible and careful stewardship of financial donations to ensure the biggest impact for the Great Lakes. We are truly grateful for every supporter who entrusts us with their donation to protect the Great Lakes, our region’s most precious resource.

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As Alliance for the Great Lakes president and CEO, Joel Brammeier oversees all aspects of the organization, leads a team of professionals across five locations, along with a base of more than 15,000 volunteers around the region dedicated to protecting clean water and building a sustainable future for the Great Lakes. Since joining the Alliance in 2001, Joel has become a leading voice on invasive species and water protection issues across the Great Lakes region. He has testified before Congress on invasive species solutions and advises state governors and Canadian provincial premiers on the implementation of the Great Lakes Compact, a binational agreement that ensures Great Lakes water stays in the basin.

As the Director of Federal Relations in Washington, D.C., Don Jodrey represents the Alliance and its federal priorities while building upon and maintaining its relationships with members of Congress, their staff, and federal agencies.

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