Birthright Israel began with a simple idea in 1999--to offer young Jewish adults a life-changing trip to Israel to build their Jewish identity and by doing so, transform the Jewish future. Founded on the belief that by bringing young Jewish adults to Israel, they would return home with new ideas about Israel and its people and their place in the Jewish story. It is the birthright of all young Jews to visit their ancestral homeland and thus forge a connection to their heritage and their community that can last a lifetime. Since its founding, over 650,000 young Jewish adults between 18 and 26 have participated in the program---49,000 in 2017 alone.

The men and women who have had the Birthright Israel experience have been critically impacted by their visit to Israel. A Brandeis University study found the effects of the trip to be highly positive and life-changing. A few of these findings are:

• Participants were 23% more likely to view raising their children Jewish as “very important”.
• 72% of participants vs. 51% of nonparticipants are married to someone Jewish
• 90% of participants described themselves as feeling closer to Israel because of their trip
• Nearly 30% of all participants have returned to Israel after their trip to expand on their learning of Judaism, the country and its people, and their Jewish heritage
• More than 25% of participants are married to other Birthright Israel participants

In 2013, Ernst and Young reported that the Birthright Israel Program contributed more than $1 billion to the Israeli economy between 2000-2012. For more information on Birthright Israel, please visit www.birthrightisrael.foundation

POSITION SUMMARY

seeks a proven, dynamic and inspiring fundraising professional with superior relationship skills and demonstrated success in building organizational capacity and increasing revenue to serve as Regional Director, Southeast Region in Miami. The successful candidate must have an authentic passion for the mission, a track record as an effective major gifts fundraiser, and be a highly articulate communicator of BRIF’s case for support.

The Regional Director will report to and work in partnership with, Carole-Ann Levine, Vice President of the Southeast Region, who is based in West Palm Beach and will be part of a four-person operation in Miami, Palm Beach, and Atlanta. The Southeast Region raised over $6 million last year with a goal of $7.1 million this year. It is expected that the new Regional Director will grow the Miami campaign well over the $1 million current with the potential to raise over $5 million annually, and that is the goal going forward to strive to attain. Annually 700-800 young adults who call Miami their home participate on a Birthright Israel trip.

The successful candidate will have significant fundraising or related for-profit resource development experience, including developing and maintaining productive working relationships with board members and colleagues. S/he must have a solid understanding of “moves management.” seeks a candidate with an entrepreneurial approach who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can both develop and execute fundraising strategies that include individual, alumni and parent major gift identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Experience working with foundations and Jewish Federations is a plus.

This individual will have a strong work ethic, high emotional intelligence, self-motivated, open to new ideas, and come from a place of “yes.” S/he will emotional curiosity and maturity with a passion and dedication for Birthright Israel’s mission. Candidate must be dynamic with a strong disposition to succeed coupled with an ambitious and driven attitude. It is expected at this time that the candidate will either work from their home or an office suite.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

This position is a unique and compelling opportunity to play a leadership role in resource development for what many as the most successful engagement program in Jewish life and Israel. 

With a current national campaign raising over $100 million annually from 35,000 donors, BRIF’s base of support has grown significantly in recent years. Broadening and upgrading this base of support is essential to meet the needs of Jewish young adults who want to have the Birthright Israel experience, but are unable to find a place for them all. is successful in enhancing and growing its development efforts, then the program will reach more than half the emerging Jewish adult population, building Jewish identities for generations to come.

The Miami Regional Director will also have the benefit of working with a well-connected and dynamic Leadership Council to help open doors and solicit, as needed.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and grow BRIF’s donor base of individuals and foundations, with a focus on those capable of giving $100,000 or more.
• Work with the VP of the Southeast Region to design a major gift strategy aimed at increasing the overall dollars raised in the southeast region year-over-year.
• Build and manage a fundraising portfolio of 100-150 donors and prospective donors at the $6,000+ level, with a focus on those capable of six-figure or greater commitments:
  • Initiate contact and meet with existing and potential donors.
  • Develop and implement engagement and cultivation strategies for prospects.
  • Solicit gifts of $6,000 and higher from current and prospective donors.
  • Work with the Director of Stewardship to design and implement comprehensive stewardship strategies for all donors in the portfolio.
• Create and execute a plan for each donor in the portfolio so that Individuals and institutional funders are retained and upgraded.
• Collaborate with colleagues, both regionally and nationally, to achieve key goals.
• Strategically grow and manage BRIF’s regional Miami Leadership Council:
  • Work closely with the Regional VP and Leadership Development team to build a strategic plan to maximize the Council as a fundraising body and pipeline for the National Board of Directors.
  • Partner with the Council leadership to grow the Miami fundraising campaign.
  • Plan and attend events strategically designed to cultivate new prospective donors or steward existing donors.
• Work with Prospect Research & Pipeline Development Associate to identify, research and qualify prospective major gift donors.
• Manage the Miami National Leadership Council.
• Set and achieve fundraising and activity goals for the Miami region, leadership council, and events.
• Utilize the database to maintain accurate records of all donor interactions, individuals’ programmatic interests, trends in giving and strategies for donor engagement and solicitation.
• Other tasks and reasonably related to responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Be an established leader with a minimum of five years of development experience with significant experience cultivating and soliciting major gifts.
• A bachelor’s degree is required; a graduate degree is a plus.
• A high level of knowledge and a sophisticated understanding of fundraising best practices and the Jewish philanthropic landscape, especially in Miami.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present information to donors, board members, and staff.
• Highly organized with the ability to wear multiple hats in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment; a driving force who manages toward clarity and solutions.
• Be a self-motivated team player with an energetic, flexible and creative approach.
• Excellent coalition building skills with an ability to balance, negotiate and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and fundraising database system (preferably Salesforce).
• Willing to travel as needed for donor meetings, events, and Foundation summits.
• A passion for Jewish engagement and the mission of Birthright Israel Foundation.