About The American Prospect

Director of Development

Editorial Internship
Publishing Internship

Writing Fellowships

The American Prospect seeks a smart, ambitious and highly organized Director of Development. Ideal candidates must possess excellent judgment and strong writing skills, even under time pressure. The Development Director will provide indispensable support to a committed team of progressive thinkers, as we work together to realize our growth potential in the coming years. The Director of Development will work directly with our President/Publisher, Board and Development staff to manage existing relationships with our loyal base of donors and foundation supporters while establishing new relationships and sources of support.

The American Prospect was founded in 1990 as an authoritative magazine of liberal ideas, committed to a just society, enriched democracy, and effective progressive politics. With 10 print magazines per year, a popular web magazine (www.prospect.org) and an award-winning group blog, we spread the new ideas and critical analysis necessary to challenge the conservative status quo and support informed public discourse and effective democracy.

This is a full time position with a competitive benefits package and salary commensurate with experience. The position is based in our central Washington DC office, with limited travel.

The Development Director will be responsible for:

• Driving our development efforts and achieving fundraising goals with support from our staff and allies, to maximize this important income stream
• Cultivating and maintaining foundation relationships, discussing priorities, and initiating new fundraising opportunities
• Cultivating donors through systematic outreach
• Develop a comprehensive annual plan that is aligned with programming and editorial efforts, including strategies, stewardship, cultivation and communications with various types of funders
• Providing monthly income and expense updates and quarterly re-projections in order to effectively monitor plans and make any necessary course corrections
• Overseeing recordkeeping for foundations and individual donors
• Crafting grant proposals in a timely manner
• Overseeing event planning with support from development staff
• Overseeing staff in daily development activities (processing receipts, acknowledgements, tracking gifts, organizing mailings, "touches" to major donors, research and outreach)
• Reporting directly to the President/Publisher & Board, managing the outreach efforts of founders, publisher, editorial staff and other "ambassadors"

Ideal candidates will possess the following skills and knowledge:

• Extensive development experience and knowledge of the revenue sources available to nonprofits (grants, donations, bequests, in-kind and securities contributions, etc.). A "closer" able to meet revenue goals
• Extensive knowledge of progressive foundations and a proven personal foundation network
• Demonstrated experience with fundraising and development.
• Knowledge of progressive issues and a commitment to TAP's mission
• Outgoing, assertive and eager to speak to funders
• Goal- and deadline-oriented, ambitious, hard working
• Organized and detail-oriented, must maintain accurate records for shared use, and manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Basic computer skills: Microsoft Office, Outlook & ideally Giftworks
• Good judgment on editorial interface; sensitive to editorial integrity and to the credibility this earns our organization with funders and others
• Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills
• Creative, able to develop funding hooks
• Willing to learn and grow with organization. The American Prospect is poised to play an increasingly important role within the progressive infrastructure. We work as a team and are committed to the ongoing development of all of our staff.

To Apply:
Send resume and cover letter to
jobs@prospect.org or to
The American Prospect
Attn. Richard D. Boriskin, Business Manager
1710 Rhode Island Ave NW, 12th Floor
Washington DC 20036
Serious candidates will be asked to provide three references.

AA/EOE: People of color and women are strongly encouraged to apply; we are committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.

Internships at The American Prospect

Editorial interns assist the editorial department with fact checking, research, evaluation of unsolicited manuscripts, and other administrative tasks as needed. Interns may have the opportunity to help with the production of The American Prospect Online's website, and are encouraged to participate in weekly editorial/staff meetings as well as relevant events in Washington, D.C.

The summer internship program also features regular "brown-bag" lunches with guest speakers and fellow interns from local progressive organizations. Recent speakers include James Fallows, national correspondent at The Atlantic Monthly; Tom Edsall, political reporter for The Washington Post; and Anna Greenberg, vice president of polling firm Greenberg Quinlan Research.

This unpaid internship can be full or part time. The American Prospect will assist interns in arranging for academic or work-study credit whenever possible.

Application Information:

Applicants should have an interest in politics and journalism. To apply, please mail, fax, or email a cover letter, resume, two writing samples (clips preferred), and one letter of recommendation to:

Emily Parsons, Managing Editor
The American Prospect
1710 Rhode Island Ave NW
12th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
Fax: 202-776-0740
Email: eparsons@prospect.org

Deadlines and Dates of Program:

Spring 2009

Application Deadline: January 15
Program Dates: Mid-January through May 2007 (flexible)

Summer 2009
Application Deadline: April 21
Program Dates: Mid-May through August (flexible)

Fall 2008
Application Deadline: July 21
Program Dates: September through December (flexible)

About the Internship: The publishing internship provides an excellent introduction to the business of non-profit, independent progressive media. Interns will assist with all revenue-generating aspects of the magazine: advertising, marketing, development, circulation, and much, much more. Specifically, interns will help with mailings, research assignments, and event planning and will have some interface with the editorial department. Tasks can be tailored to specific interests.

Please note:

This unpaid internship is for 16 hours (2 days) per week.

This is NOT an editorial internship.

Application Information: Successful applicants will have an interest in politics, public relations, marketing, and the media. To apply, please fax or email a cover letter and a resume to:

Ashleigh Kenny, Development Associate
1710 Rhode Island Ave NW
12th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
Fax: 202-776-0740
Email: akenny@prospect.org

Deadlines and Dates of Program:

Spring 2009

Application Deadline: December 15
Program Dates: Mid-January through May 2007 (flexible)

Summer 2009
Application Deadline: April 21
Program Dates: Mid-May through August (flexible)

Fall 2008
Application Deadline: July 21
Program Dates: September through December (flexible)