Careers & Internships

Available Positions

• Development Manager
• Babs Siperstein Fellowship

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Development Manager

Garden State Equality is seeking candidates for a Development Manager to work in an exciting and fast-paced environment advancing LGBTQ+ rights and protections. We are New Jersey’s leading LGBTQ+ education and advocacy organization. For two decades, Garden State Equality has led the fight for equality in New Jersey, becoming one of the most successful statewide civil rights organizations for the LGBTQ+ community in the nation.

The Position:

Garden State Equality seeks a Development Manager to implement and expand Garden State Equality’s comprehensive development plan. The Development Manager will be an experienced and energetic professional with a passion for advancing the mission of Garden State Equality and meeting or exceeding development goals. The Development Manager will be responsible for the administration of Garden State Equality’s development program and its various components, including events, gift solicitation, public and private grants, donor cultivation, program endorsement, development operations, and support staff management. The candidate must possess a high level of judgment in developing ambitious fundraising programs that will result in the expansion of Garden State Equality’s income base, budget, and impact.

It is often recognized that marginalized groups tend to apply for jobs only when they meet every single qualification. However, at Garden State Equality, we urge you to defy this statistic and apply regardless. The truth is, no one ever truly meets 100% of the qualifications. Our dedicated team believes in the power of hard work and compassion, and we value authenticity, empathy, and kindness. We are excited to review your application.

Job Duties:

Contracts & Grants

• Research and identify grant opportunities for program and general operating support, matching Garden State Equality with foundations and corporations. 
• Manage grants calendar, ensuring proposals and reports are submitted on time throughout the year.  
• Extensive writing – letters of intent, grant proposals, concept papers, and reports. 
• Work with the development team and Program Directors to create and submit financial reports to institutional funders. 
• Ensure accurate and effective systems for tracking grant funds and reporting to agencies.
• Interface with funders – along with Development Director & Executive Leadership.

Major Gifts/Individual Giving

• Work with senior leadership and staff to solicit and steward major donors.
• Maintain and expand support among current major donors and identify and cultivate new donors.
• Create and manage stewardship plans for donors.
• Help manage donor and prospect research, including preparing briefing documents before high-level meetings.
• Assist with donor cultivation and stewardship at in-person events.

Event Management

• Work in partnership with the Development Director on signature events, overseeing certain responsibilities. 
• Assist the Development Director in preparing goals and budgets for fundraising events and track progress towards these goals.
• Coordinate, manage, and inspire the host committees for various fundraising events.
• Research, identify, and solicit corporate, law firm, and foundation prospects to increase sponsorship and in-kind donations.

Development, Planning, and Management

• Under the direction of the Development Director, assist in implementing the annual development plan to support the growth of the organizational budget incorporating special events, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, direct mail, and major giving.
• Work with the Development Director to prepare an annual fundraising plan and track progress throughout the year on the plan’s goals.
• Develop fundraising communications including acknowledgement letters, solicitation letters, newsletters, email alerts, and annual reports.
• Ensure that all donors are properly thanked, acknowledged, and stewarded, including overseeing the honor roll of donors.

Special Projects

• Oversee Garden State Equality’s membership campaign, annual campaign, and other non-event solicitations.
• Ensure that all donations are accurately entered into the donor database. 
• Travel, work evenings and weekends, as needed, to meet responsibilities.
• Other duties as assigned.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the role. The employee may be required to perform other job-related tasks as requested by their supervisor or organization. The job description may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect evolving needs and priorities.

Skills/Abilities/Experience:

• Successful experience as a generalist in non-profit fundraising, including experience with special events (that gross at least $200,000), direct mail, annual giving, major donors, corporate sponsorships, and capital or endowment campaigns.
• Experience in managing federal & state grants 
• Ability to plan, direct, and monitor budgetary matters, including budget preparation and administration of expenditures
• Demonstrated experience with designing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising plan with annual and multi-year goals.
• Demonstrated success with face-to-face solicitation and a high degree of comfort in “making asks” for gifts.
• Strong knowledge of standard procedures for grant proposal submissions & reporting. 
• Proficient in writing clear, concise, and compelling solicitation materials, grant proposals, public announcements, and routine business correspondence; and the ability to evaluate and edit any of these for content, style, and format.
• Advanced ability to organize and implement the logistical requirements of events and programs.
• Adept at planning, prioritizing, multi-tasking, organizing, and following through in a timely manner while remaining highly energetic and focused.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work effectively under conditions of heavy workload, frequent interruptions, distractions, and deadlines.
• Knowledge of LGBTQ+ philanthropic community locally, state-wide, and nationally.
• Strong proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office software.
• Experience with donor databases and project management software.
• BA/BS degree or a minimum of 3 years experience in fundraising. 

Salary:

• Full-time annual salary commensurate with experience.
• Excellent benefits package, including medical and dental.

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Babs Siperstein Fellowship

Babs Siperstein was a trailblazer for equality, and our movement wouldn’t be where we are today without her courage and commitment. In 2019, Babs Siperstein passed away at 76 years old–keeping her legacy alive Garden State Equality established the Babs Siperstein Fellowship with seed funding from Babs’ own Gender Rights Advocacy of New Jersey organization.

Babs came out in 2000 and immediately became an activist for LGBTQ equality in New Jersey, serving as an original board member for Garden State Equality. Most notably, over the course of her advocacy in New Jersey, Babs helped advocate for marriage equality, transgender inclusive nondiscrinimation protections, and the Babs Siperstein Law.

Babs was the first openly transgender member of the Democratic National Committee, where she was appointed by then-chairman Tim Kaine. She was appointed to the Democratic National Committee’s Executive Committee in 2011, where she served until October 2017. 

This fellowship opportunity is for young trans adults, looking to continue Babs’ legacy through advocacy, and advancing policy both at the local, state, and national level. Fellows will work alongside Garden State Equality for a fall, spring, or summer term. They will be compensated with a stipend and are eligible to receive credit with permission from the school.

If you are interested in becoming a Babs Siperstein Fellow, please apply during the term before the term you would like to start. Please be prepared to submit a resume and reason for applying.