Director of Major Gifts and Donor Relations

Carney, Sandoe & Associates, an education recruitment firm, has been retained by the Franklin Road Academy and is currently seeking a Director of Major Gifts and Donor Relations at a coeducational K-12 inclusive Christian Community in Nashville, TN.

The Director of Major Gifts and Donor Relations will secure support for the school’s fundraising programs and thank and steward donors.

Responsibilities:

Work with the Assistant Head of School for External Affairs and Head of School to establish quarterly fundraising goals and strategies, identify a shifting portfolio of donor prospects to cultivate, and execute specific “moves” (e.g., meetings, event invitations, donor materials) to build meaningful relationships with prospective donors and exceed fundraising goals.

Manage a portfolio of 120-160 prospects capable of giving gifts of $10,000+ annually to continue building the school’s philanthropy culture. These contacts would include discovery visits, phone and in-person solicitations, and various forms of stewardship.

Work collaboratively with the Director of Annual Giving and Assistant Head of School for External Affairs to develop and execute innovative solicitation strategies for obtaining both new and returning donors.

Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospective donors for major gifts of all ranges. Responsibilities (continued)

Organize prospective donor visits for new qualification engagements and steward existing donors.

Plan and execute donor events to bring prospects closer to FRA.

Develop and implement cultivation strategies to best manage a portfolio of major gift donors and high-wealth prospects who can significantly contribute to FRA.

Maintain a portfolio of prospective major gift donors who will be solicited within a 12-18 month period.

Conduct personal visits with major donors and prospects.

Identify major gift prospects and develop compelling engagement strategies to solicit and close gifts as outlined above. In collaboration with development team members, identify, design, and cultivate a significant prospect pipeline as part of the school’s evolving fundraising strategy.

Prepare donor profiles, written proposals, gift agreements, and other materials to define, secure, and document major gifts.

Prepare reports, briefing materials, proposals, and related documents for solicitations and stewardship.

Effectively utilize the development database (Blackbaud) to maintain records of contacts with donors and prospects. Analyze potential donor research materials to track, evaluate, and present relevant giving information for fundraising planning and outreach.

Identify and solicit planned giving prospects and document their support.

Ensure appropriate gift processing and tracking, donor acknowledgment, recognition, and reporting and analysis of gifts and donor records.

Maintain a vigilant eye on recording contacts, record-keeping, and comprehensive and accurate list generation for the Annual Report on Philanthropy.

Participate in the review and generation of the Annual Report on Philanthropy and other fundraising specific communications materials.

Attend and support appropriate donor engagement events as related to assigned prospects or the needs of the Advancement office.

Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution

3-5 years of proven success as a major gift fundraiser for five, six, and seven-figure gifts

Creative advancement professional, able to identify funding opportunities and match them with donor and prospect interest

Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge (RE)

An entrepreneurial individual who demonstrates progressive advancement experience

Experience working successfully with institutional leadership, colleagues, and volunteers

Strong communication skills – both written and verbal

Must have a professional demeanor

A commitment to and enthusiasm for philanthropy, institutional development, and FRA’s mission

Knowledge of independent school culture is a plus

Potential Benefits: Compensation and benefit packages are competitive but will differ by school and will typically depend on geographic location, your experience, and your level of degree.

About CS&A

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More importantly, as an educator you deserve to have someone on your side who can help you find a position in a school community where you'll thrive. That's our mission.

We have positions available throughout the United States and abroad including but not limited to: Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Denver, Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Carney Sandoe does not discriminate on the basis of physical handicap, sex, race, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its services, consulting, events, professional development, or other programs.

Industry

Primary/Secondary Education

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Functions