About SAFE
Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) is an action oriented,
non-ideological organization committed to reducing America’s
dependence on oil to bolster national security and strengthen the
economy. The organization has ambitious plans to advance energy
security in the United States by expanding domestic oil and natural
gas production, improving fuel efficiency, and accelerating the
shift toward a transportation sector powered by a broader mix of
diverse energy sources.
SAFE’s policy proposals have been embraced by the leaders of
both major political parties. In 2007, President George W. Bush
used the State of the Union Address to propose a plan closely
mirroring a SAFE proposal, which ultimately led to the first
improvement in automotive fuel-economy standards in a generation.
In his 2013 State of the Union Address, President Obama outlined
his plan to implement one of SAFE’s policy recommendations, the
establishment of an Energy Security Trust, and credited the
organization with generating the idea.
SAFE made its public debut in 2005 with Oil ShockWave,
a fast-paced and realistic war game exercise led by former U.S.
cabinet members – the crippling September air attack on Saudi
Arabia’s Abqaiq oil processing facilities was precisely the
scenario considered in one of SAFE’s Oil ShockWave simulations. It
then formed partnerships with some of the country’s leading
corporate executives and retired military officials to develop
innovative methods to educate, communicate and advocate for policy
solutions to America’s evolving energy issues. SAFE’s Energy
Security Leadership Council (ESLC) is co-chaired by Frederick W.
Smith, Chairman and CEO of FedEx Corporation, and General Jim
Conway, USMC (Ret.), 34th Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps.
In 2009, SAFE launched the Electrification Coalition (EC), a
nonpartisan, nonprofit group of business executives representing
the entire value chain of a proposed electrified transportation
system, from automakers to utilities, to promote the deployment of
electric vehicles on a mass scale.
SAFE provides fact-based analysis of energy policy, markets, and
trends through a combination of original research, high-profile
public events, traditional and social media outlets, and public
advocacy. The organization’s policy platform is non-partisan and
encourages members of both major political parties to set aside
long-held orthodoxies for the good of the country.
SAFE was founded in 2004 and employs more than 20 people and
multiple consultants. It has an annual budget of over $6 million
comprised of foundations, corporate partners, and individual
donors.
Initiatives that SAFE is undertaking to strengthen U.S. energy
security and reduce the country’s dependence on oil include:
Implementation of Electric Vehicle Deployment Community Projects
SAFE and the EC launched two major projects – Drive Electric
Northern Colorado (DENC) and Drive Electric Orlando (DEO) – to
support the deployment of electric vehicles in strategically chosen
communities to demonstrate that significant adoption of EVs is
possible in an environment in which regulatory policy, education,
infrastructure, and other services come together in an integrated
way. That work later expanded to Columbus, OH, the winner of the
Smart Cities Challenge, a national competition, and then to
upstate New York, all of which ultimately led to Bloomberg
Philanthropies funding SAFE and EC’s work with the Climate Mayors EV Purchasing
Collaborative and the American
Cities Climate Challenge. The EC’s effectiveness with
these programs has resulted in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ recent
renewal and considerable increase of funding to expand their work
with these programs and launch a targeted new state policy and
implementation program to increase EV supportive policies.
Conservative Outreach
When SAFE was founded in 2004 there were few options to mitigate
the vulnerabilities the US experiences due to its dependence on
oil. In 2020, we have at our disposal the technology to diversify
our fuel sources. SAFE plays an important role in explaining to
conservatives that an unfree and unfair oil market is still
problematic until we achieve greater fuel diversity. The technology
exists to mitigate the vulnerabilities associated with oil
dependence. With its focus on national and economic security, SAFE
has a unique ability to engage conservative thought leaders and
lawmakers on energy policy. Through targeted research, impactful
public events, and the mobilization of trusted advocates, the
organization is working to frame energy security policy in a way
that brings conservatives to the table.
Commission on the Future of
Mobility
The approaching 50th anniversary of the establishment of fuel
economy standards as a cornerstone of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act of 1975 offers an opportunity to reflect on their
past and, more importantly, their future. Indeed, the accelerated
deployment of connected, autonomous, and shared vehicle
applications, along with the expansion of alternative-fueled
powertrains and the growth of micro-mobility solutions, will
expedite a critical transportation revolution. In addition to
improving mobility, the convergence of these new technologies and
applications can enhance global security, improve roadway safety,
increase economic productivity, broaden economic prosperity, and
reduce emissions. SAFE is in the process of establishing the
Commission on the Future of Mobility whose members, drawn from
around the globe, will comprise a select group of top leadership in
companies across the mobility landscape from OEMs, Tier 1
suppliers, transportation network companies, technology, freight
and goods, modal operators, cloud services, insurance, and finance,
as well as a select group of nonprofit sector stakeholders,
including environmentalists, safety experts, and former regulators.
The Commission’s ultimate objective is to establish a framework for
regulations in the American, European, and Asian markets
post-2025.
For more information, visit secureenergy.org.
The Opportunity
SAFE seeks an experienced and passionate fundraising leader to
serve as the Vice President of Development to lead a lean
development organization to develop and execute a comprehensive
fundraising strategy that yields sustained multi-year funding
results. Building on the success achieved to date by SAFE, the Vice
President will collaborate with the President/CEO, other senior
staff, and volunteer leadership to manage overall development
systems and strategy, while focusing primarily on identifying,
cultivating, and soliciting high net worth individuals to fund
SAFE’s activities.
S/he will leverage all the resources of the organization,
including its remarkable base of supporters, high profile Board
contacts, and a variety of research reports and expertise. S/he
will work to enlist new donors with a particular focus on
increasing SAFE’s unrestricted funding. And s/he will ensure
that development, marketing and communications, and program
strategies align for donor engagement and enhance the long-term
financial stability and growth of the organization.
The Vice President of Development will report to the
President/CEO and will collaborate closely with the Executive Vice
President. S/he will manage and mentor a Managing Director of
Corporate Engagement and retain additional development talent to
the extent necessary or appropriate. S/he will also coordinate with
the Director of Operations, who oversees database and donor
management systems, and will work closely with the Director of
Editing and Content, who assists with grant writing.
Key Responsibilities
Leverage Relationships and Coordinate Fundraising Efforts
The Vice President will be the leader of a development program
that relies on the efforts of a small but effective
inter-departmental team and consultants, and leverages the
influence and network of SAFE’s high-profile leadership. The Vice
President will establish effective communications and working
relationships with the CEO and Board Members to enhance their
fundraising efforts, while cultivating relationships of her/his own
with current and prospective donors. S/he will support the CEO’s
and EVP’s efforts to recruit new Board and Energy Security
Leadership Council members, and to engage corporate leadership
around relevant councils (Autonomous Vehicle Task Force,
Electrification Coalition Business Council, etc.). Additionally,
s/he will work closely on donor-driven projects, ensuring that
donor goals are met.
Expand Base of Sustaining Funders
Demonstrating fund-raising best practices, the Vice President
will focus on donor capture and retention, including donor
engagement and donor recognition while also implementing a
methodical prospect research and clearance process.
Build and Manage an Integrated Development Program
The Vice President will ensure that Development is
well-integrated across the entire organization, informed regarding
goals and successes, as well as helping to frame organizational
strategies, priorities, and programs to best attract donor interest
and instill a donor-centered culture. S/he should ensure full
utilization of fundraising software across the organization. The
team will be known for its organization, effectiveness and
creativity.
Improve Donor Relations and Communication Materials
The Vice President will revamp donor communication vehicles to
connect effectively and consistently with prospects and donors.
S/he will tailor communications to be targeted to specific
constituents and ensure donors are contacted with the appropriate
frequency.
Professional Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree
- Minimum of 10 years or more of professional experience with a
proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure, multi-year
commitments from a variety of funding
- Demonstrated experience building effective networks among
foundations, major donors and social investors in related sectors
(e.g. security, energy, sustainability or civic engagement) and in
building and fostering relationships with high net worth
individuals.
- “Self-starter” and goal-driven individual with a determination
to get out of the office to develop and build funding relationships
with new and existing donors.
- Strong leadership, management, and influencing skills.
- Thrives in a high energy environment with the ability to manage
multiple priorities simultaneously; comfortable working in a
start-up-like environment with lean support
- Excellent project and process management skills. Understands
the power of planning, research and targeted
- Strong editorial and grant writing experience, and a
willingness to do many aspects of this themselves.
- Embraces SAFE’s mission, vision and strategic direction.
- Thinks outside the Beltway but has an in-depth understanding of
Washington politics and is comfortable engaging with donors along
the policy and political spectrum.
- Team player and collaborator who is open and transparent about
process and progress. Willing to pitch in and help others when
- Good sense of humor.
- Ability to travel up to 33%.
Location/Region: Washington, DC (20036)
