The Connecticut Forum

Founded in 1992, The Connecticut Forum is a nationally recognized, one-of-a-kind nonprofit organization based in Hartford, CT, that presents live, unscripted panel discussions among renowned experts and celebrities.

Our mission: To encourage the free and active exchange of ideas in Forums that inform, challenge, entertain, inspire, and build bridges among all people and organizations in our community.

Job Description

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development manages all Forum fundraising, including corporate sponsorships, foundation funding, grants, and individual giving, to advance the organization’s mission and strategic goals, and realize revenue of over $1 million annually. Working closely with the Executive Director and the CT Forum Board of Directors and supported by the Sponsor and Donor Relations Manager and other Forum staff, this position is responsible for all aspects of funder cultivation and stewardship. The Development Directors serves on The Connecticut Forum’s leadership team, supporting and advising the Executive Director and Board on many aspects of The Forum’s operations, and specifically having lead responsibility for the organization’s annual development plan.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Sponsorships

• Cultivates and sustains relationships with prospective and current corporate sponsors in partnership with the Executive Director and the Forum’s Board.
• Directs all activities to realize the corporate sponsorship goals of the development plan.
• Directs the delivery of corporate sponsorship benefits including pre-Forum dinners and receptions.

Grant Funding

• Cultivates relationships with a variety of foundation funders, including corporate, community, private, and family foundations, in partnership with the Executive Director and the Forum’s Board.
• Drives the research and timely and complete submission of foundation and public grant applications to realize the development plan goals and reports to satisfy grantor requirements.

Individual Giving

• Cultivates and sustains relationships with individual Forum constituents, including donors, Board members, and subscribers.
• Directs all activities to realize the goals of the Major Giving and Friends of The Forum annual giving campaigns.
• Plans and implements legacy bequest initiatives.

Administration & Management

• Manages the Sponsor & Donor Relations Manager, and other interns or part-time staff serving in the development department.
• Directs donor recordkeeping and ensures that donor records are current and accurate.
• Plans and executes special projects to advance Strategic Plan initiatives and pursue new fundraising opportunities as they may arise to solidify and diversify The Forum’s revenue streams.
• Provides staff support to the Board’s Fund Development Work Group.

Qualifications

• 5+ years fundraising experience (or equivalent).
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact and communicate with a diverse group of constituents.
• Passion for The CT Forum mission.
• Strong interest in engaging the Greater Hartford community – businesses, schools, people, and organizations.
• Proven ability to build donor relationships and meet fundraising goals.
• Experience in successfully managing teams.
•  Proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
•  Knowledge of Salesforce, Patron Manager or another CRM a plus.

About the CT Forum:

The CT Forum is a nationally recognized, one-of-a-kind nonprofit organization serving Connecticut and beyond. Co-founded in 1992 by Doris and Richard Sugarman, The CT Forum’s mission is to encourage the free and active exchange of ideas in forums that inform, challenge, entertain, inspire, and build bridges among all people and organizations in our community.

The CT Forum fulfills its mission by presenting large scale, high profile, issue-focused in-person panel discussions and events among renowned experts and celebrities, and through outreach programs serving youth and the community. In addition to its core programming, The CT Forum shares its expertise with the community by providing leadership, resources, and consultation services to community organizations, nonprofits, corporations, schools, and others. The 2023-2024 season has been announced and will feature: An Evening with Ken Burns in Conversation with Audie Cornish; Liz Cheney & Ezra Klein: On Defending Democracy and a Path Forward; Being Human in an Age of AI: Debating Advances and Ethics featuring Kate Crawford; and Chefs! Top Chefs Dish on Food, Flavor and Culture featuring Marcus Samuelsson.

The CT Forum is currently led by an Interim Executive Director, an engaged Board of Directors of 25 and staff of seven and manages an annual operating budget of approximately $1.4M. The CT Forum has a current strategic plan, working succession plan, clean annual audits and formal Board Work Groups to oversee the organization’s financial, governance and fund development matters.

The CT Forum’s energetic and highly competent team engages a wide range of people and organizations as sponsors, donors, subscribers, and volunteers in support of its programming and initiatives. The CT Forum enjoys a history of successful partnerships and programs, a strong brand presence and positive reputation thanks to its 30-year history of presenting unique and powerful programming that connects the community and adds to the cultural and economic vitality of Connecticut’s capital city. For more information about The Connecticut Forum, please visit ctforum.org.

TO APPLY:

• Candidates should send a resume, as well as a cover letter describing how their qualifications and experience match the development needs and mission of The CT Forum—to Holly Howley at hhowley@ctforum.org.
• The Director of Development position is full-time and based in Hartford, Connecticut with hybrid work-from-home days.
• The CT Forum offers a comprehensive benefits package. The salary is competitive and considers applicant’s qualifications, within the framework of the organization’s annual operating budget, and in the approximate range of $75,000-$85,000.
• The Connecticut Forum is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. In addition to federal law requirements, The Connecticut Forum complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

The Connecticut Forum