Fund Canvass Director

From Emily Berens, Recruitment Director for the Fund for the Public Interest

As a canvass director or assistant canvass director for the Fund, you run a campaign office in one of dozens of cities throughout the country. The staff you supervise educate citizens about the issues and get them involved in campaigns to win progressive change. In essence, you build a team of committed activists, who, in turn, mobilize hundreds or thousands of citizens to take action.

Your responsibilities

You recruit and manage a staff of 10 to 40 people, who conduct membership drives by going door to door in nearby communities or talking to people face to face in public places. You train your staff in effective canvassing techniques, you identify those who show the most potential, and you teach them how to be leaders.

You organize a field campaign. You write news releases, organize and speak at news conferences, and meet with editorial boards to attract media coverage for your issue. You build coalitions of civic leaders, elected officials and opinion leaders. You run grassroots lobbying drives that put pressure on elected officials, corporate boards and other decision-makers to act.

You raise funds for the campaign and organization, seeking to reach or exceed your membership and other fundraising goals. In most cases, you'll raise at least $200,000 while identifying 5,000 or more members each year. You'll go out in the field yourself two to three times a week to train staff, raise money, identify members, activate supporters and educate the public.

You make the office run smoothly, performing whatever administrative responsibilities are associated with your fundraising, membership, campaign and other work.

What we're looking for in you

We want to see if you're smart, motivated and action-oriented. If you're interested in politics and are committed to progressive issues. If you work well with a team of people. If you have stamina. If you're able to convey a sense of urgency and passion about the issues. If you're able and willing to work hard. If you can be resourceful on a shoestring budget. We'll train you on the issues, on campaign strategies and tactics, and on canvassing skills. You provide the brains, heart and drive.

What you earn

Canvass Directors: earn $25,250 in their first year. Canvass Directors typically have either a year of experience with the Fund or significant outside leadership experience.

Assistant Canvass Directors: earn $23,750 in their first year.

All staff are eligible for apply for college loan assistance and accrue two weeks of paid vacation over the course of their first year on the Fund staff. Staff are encouraged to join our group health care plan through pre-tax payroll deductions. Those who secure positions with the Fund for a second year are eligible to join our 401(k) plan.

Where you work

The Fund is running campaign offices in 31 locations:

Albuquerque, NM; Ann Arbor, MI; Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Baltimore, MD; Berkeley, CA; Boston, MA; Boulder, CO; Chapel Hill, NC; Chicago, IL; Columbus, OH; Denver, CO; Eugene, OR; Honolulu, HI; Los Angeles, CA; Madison, WI; Manhattan, NY; Miami, FL; Minneapolis, MN; New Brunswick, NJ; Newton, MA; Palo Alto, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Santa Cruz, CA; Seattle, WA; St Louis, MO; Tampa, FL; Tempe, AZ; Washington, DC