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Global Social Benefit Incubator 2008
Exercise 1: Target Market Statement
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d.light org
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Executive Director, based in the U.S.
We are seeking a highly-motivated leader and social entrepreneur to serve as inaugural Executive Director of d.light-org, the nonprofit arm of d.light design. d.light design is a high-growth for-profit social enterprise financed by prestigious venture capital firms, including Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Garage Technology Ventures, Mahindra and Mahindra, and Nexus India Capital. d.light design also has investment from leading social enterprise funds, including the Acumen Fund and Gray Matters Capital.
d.light design’s vision is to eradicate kerosene lanterns from the world and provide modern lighting and power to over 1.6 billion people currently living without electricity. We utilize a market-based approach to achieve this vision, designing and commercializing lighting products that are affordable for base of the pyramid families. However, we recognize that there are many families living far below the poverty line who would not be able to afford d.light’s products and who would benefit tremendously from having quality light. d.light org will connect philanthropic dollars in the US and abroad to high need communities in developing countries that require significant subsidies for the products to be economically viable alternatives to kerosene. d.light org will offer philanthropists significant social returns on their contributions, providing efficient and high-quality solar lighting for an entire household for about $20.
The Executive Director of d.light-org will be based in the US and report directly to the Board of Directors. As the executive management of d.light design will be based in Asia to focus on manufacturing, sales and marketing, the ED will need to be comfortable working independently. He or she will have the following responsibilities:
• Develop fundraising strategy for d.light-org to achieve $1M in funding in 2008 (light for over 50,000 families) and $2.5M in funding in 2009 (light for over 125,000 families);
• Cultivate relationships with high net worth individuals and donors in the US and abroad;
• Organize meetings for d.light design’s founders to pitch to high net worth individuals and foundations;
• Develop strategic partnerships for creative methods of public relations and fundraising from individuals (i.e. Facebook, Kiva, etc.);
• Vet international partners for product distribution to ensure mission alignment and accountability;
• Partner with d.light design staff in public relations strategy implementation, and serve as spokesperson for d.light org;
• Regularly communicate program outcomes to donors to demonstrate effectiveness and transparency;
• Maintain 501(c)3 accounting filings and record keeping.
This will be a flexible position that will allow the ED to work out of a home office.
Qualifications
• Highly entrepreneurial self-starter
• Passionate about making kerosene lanterns history and providing families with high quality light
• Advanced degree (MBA/JD) and/or professional designation preferred
• 5+ years experience fundraising, especially from individual donors
• Exceptional communication skills with individuals, groups, and the press
• Highly flexible, able to work out of home with little administrative support initially
• Willing to travel periodically to partner countries
Interviews
Interested parties should contact Ned Tozun at ned@dlightdesign.com and include their resume and a statement of interest. Either the President, Ned Tozun, or the CEO, Sam Goldman will conduct an initial interview in person or over the phone.
Compensation
Compensation will be a tiered pay structure dependent on level of fundraising achieved in order to keep overhead costs low and provide maximum returns to contributed funds. However, we are aiming to offer the ED generous compensation by the end of 2008 if fundraising targets are met.
d.light design’s vision is to eradicate kerosene lanterns from the world and provide modern lighting and power to over 1.6 billion people currently living without electricity. We utilize a market-based approach to achieve this vision, designing and commercializing lighting products that are affordable for base of the pyramid families. However, we recognize that there are many families living far below the poverty line who would not be able to afford d.light’s products and who would benefit tremendously from having quality light. d.light org will connect philanthropic dollars in the US and abroad to high need communities in developing countries that require significant subsidies for the products to be economically viable alternatives to kerosene. d.light org will offer philanthropists significant social returns on their contributions, providing efficient and high-quality solar lighting for an entire household for about $20.
The Executive Director of d.light-org will be based in the US and report directly to the Board of Directors. As the executive management of d.light design will be based in Asia to focus on manufacturing, sales and marketing, the ED will need to be comfortable working independently. He or she will have the following responsibilities:
• Develop fundraising strategy for d.light-org to achieve $1M in funding in 2008 (light for over 50,000 families) and $2.5M in funding in 2009 (light for over 125,000 families);
• Cultivate relationships with high net worth individuals and donors in the US and abroad;
• Organize meetings for d.light design’s founders to pitch to high net worth individuals and foundations;
• Develop strategic partnerships for creative methods of public relations and fundraising from individuals (i.e. Facebook, Kiva, etc.);
• Vet international partners for product distribution to ensure mission alignment and accountability;
• Partner with d.light design staff in public relations strategy implementation, and serve as spokesperson for d.light org;
• Regularly communicate program outcomes to donors to demonstrate effectiveness and transparency;
• Maintain 501(c)3 accounting filings and record keeping.
This will be a flexible position that will allow the ED to work out of a home office.
Qualifications
• Highly entrepreneurial self-starter
• Passionate about making kerosene lanterns history and providing families with high quality light
• Advanced degree (MBA/JD) and/or professional designation preferred
• 5+ years experience fundraising, especially from individual donors
• Exceptional communication skills with individuals, groups, and the press
• Highly flexible, able to work out of home with little administrative support initially
• Willing to travel periodically to partner countries
Interviews
Interested parties should contact Ned Tozun at ned@dlightdesign.com and include their resume and a statement of interest. Either the President, Ned Tozun, or the CEO, Sam Goldman will conduct an initial interview in person or over the phone.
Compensation
Compensation will be a tiered pay structure dependent on level of fundraising achieved in order to keep overhead costs low and provide maximum returns to contributed funds. However, we are aiming to offer the ED generous compensation by the end of 2008 if fundraising targets are met.
