Careers With Us: An Opportunity for Right Livelihood
Do you want to work in an organization that transforms lives and makes a difference in the world? Do you want to use your practice of mindfulness to create a more compassionate, peaceful, and mindful society? This is a call to serve, a chance to bring meaning into the world.
Open positions:
Fundraising Communications Specialist
Part Time, Independent Contractor
Position based in Europe
The Fundraising Communications Specialist will work with an international team and will be responsible for planning and executing a grassroots communications strategy that will contribute to raising funds for Plum Village Monastery’s multi-million euro capital campaign.
REPORTING AND RELATIONSHIPS
The Specialist will report to the TNH Foundation’s Communications Director and will coordinate with other team members to develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising and communications plan focused on grassroots donors. As the work of this position is at the intersection of communications and fundraising, the Specialist will also work closely with the fundraising team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Plan Development
Working with the Communications and Global Giving directors, develop a grassroots fundraising strategy that is aligned with the Plum Village tradition’s values and culture. The plan should include:
Identifying audiences for fundraising communications
Identifying communication channels for each audience
Outlining key messages for each audience, in alignment with the Foundation’s overall messaging strategy
Describing the frequency and timing of communications, as well as the specific tactics and tools that will be used
How to capture opportunities to share the story of the Monastery’s needs at retreats and days of mindfulness
Acquiring new monthly donors
A timeline that is aligned with the capital campaign goals and rhythm of monastery life
Working with the Foundation’s leadership to define metrics for success and measure them
Plan Execution
The Specialist will be responsible for executing the plan they create, maintaining the timeline, and managing deliverables on schedule. And, they will:
Produce high-quality, compelling written and visual content
Record stories of monastics and practitioners
Work collaboratively with team members to ensure that fundraising materials and approach reflect and align with the monastery's and International Plum Village Community's values and principles
Assist with other projects and activities as needed.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
An active practitioner in the Thich Nhat Hanh Plum Village tradition, including having received or will receive the Five Mindfulness Trainings
Ability to work respectfully and productively with monastic brothers and sisters
At least 3 years of experience in communications, fundraising, or a related field, with a track record of success in developing and implementing communications and/or fundraising plans that produce measurable results
Experience working in a nonprofit or similar mission-driven organization
Knowledge of digital and print marketing and communications strategies and tools, including social media, email marketing, and website content management systems
Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Creative Cloud
Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and messaging that resonates with target audiences
Project coordination skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
Ability to meet deadlines; strong task and time management skills
Must demonstrate the ability to be culturally competent in all respects; able to work in multi-lingual, international environment
LANGUAGE COMPETENCY
Fluency in English and French is required.
LOCATION
Being able to spend time on-site at Plum Village Monastery in France is required. This position is based in Europe.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Flexibility in available working hours is required: 1) Must be available to work with colleagues across time zones in Europe and the US, and 2) may need to work weekends during retreats at Plum Village Monastery
Compensation and hours
Independent contractor at €18/hour up to 30 hours a week
We are an equal opportunity employer and actively work to ensure fair and equal treatment of our employees and constituents regardless of differences based on culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation.
Target Start Date
Available immediately
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please send the following materials electronically to Stephen Pradarelli, Communications Director, at work@tnhf.org by May 31, 2024
Cover letter explaining your interest in this position and our organization, and how your experiences and skills, both professionally and spiritually, match this position.
Résumé and cover letter required. Please be specific in your cover letter about communications and/or fundraising communications you have worked on, your role, and the results.
Two or three examples of past work, including writing samples, that demonstrate successes in similar projects or positions are required.
Development Associate
Application deadline: April 18, 2024
Overview
The Associate will work within an international team and will be responsible for fundraising support activities including gift processing and acknowledgement, database maintenance, donor customer service, support for direct mail/online giving campaigns, generating reports, and assistance at practice center retreats. The work of the Development Associate will be managed by the Foundation’s Global Giving Manager. The six-person fundraising team is led by the Global Giving Director.
Key Responsibilities
Gift Processing, Fundraising Appeals, and Donor Stewardship
Process all types of donations and ensure accurate, consistent recording and acknowledgement of gifts within a set timeline and standards
Respond to donor questions and issues via phone and email; practice mindful communication and deep listening in response to phone calls and emails to the Foundation offices
Generate reports, mailing lists, and queries to support fundraising campaigns, financial management, and other projects
Maintain hardcopy records of all donations as applicable
Periodically support fundraising activities at practice center retreats
Generate and send end-of-year tax letters
Liaise with monastics on gift details
Database Maintenance
Maintain data entry standards and perform cleanup on an on-going basis
Maintain consistency of donor information and accuracy of database information
Assist with database cleanup projects as needed
Assist with other projects and activities as needed
Minimum Qualifications and Skills
An active practitioner in the Thich Nhat Hanh Plum Village tradition, including having received or will receive the Five Mindfulness Trainings.
Minimum four years nonprofit fundraising experience or for-profit database experience
Proficient in fundraising customer relationship management (CRM) applications, with a strong preference for Salesforce experience
Fully proficient with Microsoft Office, G/Google Suite, and comfortable regularly learning new applications
Rigorous attention to detail
Comfortable and proficient in analyzing data and creating reports, including using data visualization tools
Good written and verbal communication skills
Ability to meet deadlines; strong task and time management skills
Must demonstrate the ability to be culturally competent in all respects; able to work in multi-lingual, international environment
Must live in the U.S.
Fluency in English is required. Vietnamese language proficiency is a plus.
Locations
The position is primarily remote. The ability to travel to the Foundation’s office at Deer Park Monastery in Escondido California twice per week is a plus.
Working Conditions
Flexibility in available working hours is required: 1) Must be available to work with colleagues across time zones: France, both US coasts, Australia, and 2) may need to call donors in evenings or weekends
Able to occasionally work evenings or weekends at mindfulness retreats at Plum Village monasteries
Compensation and Hours
Pay: Regular full-time salaried employee. Salary range: $45,000-$64,480 based on location and experience.
Benefits Package: Health, dental, vision care insurance, retirement plan, paid vacation and sick leave as outlined in our Personnel Policies.
We are an equal opportunity employer and actively work to ensure fair and equal treatment of our employees and constituents regardless of differences based on culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation.
Target Start Date: Available immediately
Application Process
Please send the following materials electronically to Bobbi Perez at work@tnhf.org by April 18, 2024:
Cover letter explaining your interest in this position and our organization, and how your experiences and skills, both professionally and spiritually, match this position.
Résumé and cover letter required
CULTURE
The Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation family is a diverse team, deeply engaged in the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition and practice of mindfulness and compassion in our own lives, knowing this action will help improve the lives of others and our society. “Peace in oneself, peace in the world,” is a teaching from Thich Nhat Hanh we try to diligently practice. We are fortunate to be guided by monks and nuns on our volunteer working board, lay dharma teachers, and long-time mindfulness practitioners, making for a supportive, collaborative, inclusive, and mindful atmosphere. We see siblinghood as our most important asset and love and healing as our most valued profit.
ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
The Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation (the “Foundation”) is the fundraising arm and a communications hub of the International Plum Village Community. The Foundation was established in 2011 by Thich Nhat Hanh, Sister Chan Khong, and other senior monastics to raise funds for the continuation of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings. The Foundation, the three US monasteries, and Parallax Press, comprise one 501c3 charitable nonprofit in the US: the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism (PVCEB).
Headquartered in the US, the Foundation is led by an Executive Director, has a small international team of professional lay staff, and a volunteer advisory board of monastic and lay practitioners. The Foundation raises approximately $5 million annually and has a monthly donor program, annual, major, and legacy donors. It is also responsible for communications and Dharma sharing to the community. The Foundation also works with local lay committees to support the capital campaigns of monasteries in the Plum Village tradition.