Volunteer Fundraising Advisor for Philanthropic Partnership Development in the USA and Canada to Protect Journalism in Areas of Conflict or Transition with MICT gGmbH Household

This is an opportunity to work with an Ashoka Fellow

Ashoka Fellows are leading social entrepreneurs that have been taken through a rigorous selection process, testing the quality of their ideas and character, to become part of the Ashoka Fellowship and Network. Ashoka Fellows take on the challenges of building innovative system change ideas to make and spread social impact in a world wrought with challenges. They refuse to let the ‘impossible’ stand in their way to creating a better world.

This is an unpaid, volunteer opportunity

About The Affiliated Organization

MiCT – Media in Cooperation and Transition – is a Berlin-based non-profit organisation founded in 2006. We were founded on a simple conviction: that societies in conflict and transition cannot heal, negotiate or rebuild without journalism they can trust, and that this journalism has to be produced by local people, not about them. We help journalists, media outlets and media entrepreneurs in crisis regions, transition countries and developing countries — currently in Ukraine, Palestine, Georgia, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Libya and across West and East Africa — as well as exiled media workers who had to leave those countries. We help them by training and mentoring journalists; co-producing and publishing reporting that would otherwise never be made; building and financing independent outlets and media start-ups; running media hubs in Kyiv, Nairobi and Berlin/Brandenburg for exiled and at-risk media workers; providing legal, digital and physical protection to journalists under threat; and researching media systems, disinformation and media policy so that support to the sector is evidence-based. Our work matters because independent media is the first infrastructure attacked in every war and every authoritarian turn, and the last one rebuilt. Where it survives, communities can hold power to account, verify what they are told, and negotiate their future in public rather than by force. MiCT has been funded largely by European public donors (German Federal Foreign Office, GIZ, BMZ, the EU, UNESCO). As public funding for media development becomes less predictable, we are building a philanthropic pillar in North America — which is where this volunteer role comes in.

For more information, please visit https://mict-international.org

Job Description

THE PROJECT:

MiCT is opening a North American philanthropic pillar. Almost all of our funding has come from European public donors; as that funding becomes less predictable, we need private philanthropy in the United States and Canada to keep supporting journalists and independent media in Ukraine, Palestine, Georgia, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sudan and beyond. We are looking for a volunteer fundraising advisor based in the US or Canada to help us build those relationships from the ground up.

The Goal

Within 6–12 months: a qualified pipeline of 20–30 North American funders (progressive private foundations, family foundations, philanthropists, donor-advised funds, giving circles and major individual donors) working on press freedom, independent media, human rights and democracy — plus warm introductions to at least a handful of them and a case for support that speaks to a North American audience.

What Our Volunteer Would Do

• Map and prioritise US and Canadian funders whose priorities match our work on media freedom, journalist protection and media development.
• Open doors: make warm introductions to programme officers, philanthropic advisors and donors in your own network.
• Advise on positioning: how a German non-profit should frame its impact story, language and reporting for North American philanthropy, including the practical routes for receiving US/Canadian gifts (fiscal sponsorship, 501(c)(3) intermediaries, equivalency determination).
• Sharpen our materials: review and improve our case for support, concept notes, one-pagers and pitch decks.
• Coach our Berlin team on North American fundraising practice and, where you are comfortable, join introductory calls.
  
  

Why Your Work Matters

Every dollar raised here goes to reporters, editors and outlets working under war, occupation, censorship or exile — people who keep information flowing where it is most dangerous to do so. Your network and your judgement can unlock funding that no amount of cold outreach from Berlin will reach. You would work directly with MiCT's Managing Director and programme leads, with full flexibility on hours and public credit for your contribution if you want it.

Volunteer Logistics

Estimated hours required per week: 3-5

The estimated duration of the project is: 6-12 months

This position is Virtual (Remote)

Language Requirements

English

Desired Skills And Experience

This is a strategic, network-driven role rather than a research task: the main value we are looking for is warm access to progressive North American funders in press freedom, journalism and human rights, plus advice on positioning a German non-profit for US and Canadian philanthropy. No specific degree required. We care about your track record and your network, not your credentials. Happy to discuss splitting the role between two volunteers (one US, one Canada) if that gives better coverage.

Essential

• Based in the United States or Canada.
• Hands-on experience in non-profit fundraising, major gifts, foundation relations or philanthropic advising — as a development professional, foundation insider, philanthropic advisor, or a board member who has raised money.
• An existing network among progressive foundations, philanthropists, family offices, donor-advised funds or giving circles — ideally in press freedom, journalism, human rights, democracy or international development.
• Fluent professional English, written and spoken, with strong storytelling and pitching instincts.
• Comfortable working remotely with a Berlin-based team (CET) and with occasional calls in European morning hours.
• Discretion and sound judgement: you will be handling relationships and, at times, information about colleagues working in dangerous places.
  
  

VERY WELCOME

• Familiarity with how North American funders assess non-US grantees: fiscal sponsorship, 501(c)(3) intermediaries, equivalency determination, cross-border giving from Canada.
• Experience with media development, journalist protection, or work in conflict and transition contexts.
• Ability to review and improve a case for support, concept note or pitch deck.
• German language skills are a nice bonus but genuinely not required — we work in English.