Associate Director of Development, Major & Planned Gifts
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC is seeking an experienced development professional to join our team as the Associate Director of Development, Major and Planned Gifts (AD-MPG). This role, reporting to the Director of Development, will build, manage, and provide strategic direction for the Folger’s major gift fundraising programs. They will identify prospects, steward current donors and solicit major gifts, in face-to-face meetings, and in writing, sometimes accompanied by Senior Directors. The Associate Director of Major and Planned Gifts will support the Director of Development with board development and high-level major donor strategy including cultivating and providing stewardship for individual major donors.
The ideal candidate will be a strategic leader with the ability to envision, implement, and steward a thoughtful approach to prospect development and process improvement to support the growth of the Development team at the Folger. They will have a proven record as an experienced fundraising specialist and must be an initiative-taker with superior written and oral communication skills, the ability to solve complex problems, and have a passion for philanthropy. This individual will be a part of the Development department’s senior team supporting other leaders by fostering a culture of philanthropy to ensure that fund development is executed in keeping with the values, mission, and strategic directions of the Folger Shakespeare Library, working with the Director of Development to establish a balanced mix of donor sources and fundraising programs to attract and retain donors and fundraising volunteers.
The standard schedule for this role is Monday-Friday, 8:45am-4:45pm, which is a 35-hour workweek. Frequent evening and weekend hours will be required for special programs. This position is currently hybrid with ~3 days on-site per week. The selected candidate will need to be within a commutable distance to the D.C. office (DC, MD, VA) by their start date.
Compensation:
- This is a monthly-paid salary position, with an annual rate of $100,000-113,000.
- Total compensation includes an extensive benefits plan, including a generous 403(b) contribution and match, outlined at https://www.folger.edu/employee-benefits.
Supervisory Duties: The Associate Director of Development Major and Planned Gifts will supervise the Development Associate for Major and Planned Gifts. They will periodically supervise the work of other development staff members on projects.
Summary of Duties:
The Associate Director of Development, Major and Planned Gifts (AD-MPG) will play a key role in the execution of Folger’s short and long-range strategic plans for financial sustainability. They are responsible for leading and executing the organization's major gifts program, focusing on securing substantial donations from high-net-worth individuals. The role involves strategic planning, relationship building, and effective communication to engage and solicit support from potential major donors. As a member of the department’s management, this individual will lead a team of advancing development professionals and will interface with both internal and external constituents with a focus on providing leadership and training in best practices.
Major Gifts:
- Builds, manages, and provides strategic direction for Folger’s major gift fundraising, an area of significant growth in the short and long term. Works with the Director of Development in establishing annual and long-range fundraising goals.
- Assists the Director of Development in increasing individual Board gifts and identifies high-potential among current Board members. Works with the Director of Development in developing a strategy to increase Board membership by determining nominating criteria, and researching, identifying, and submitting lists of prospective Board nominees to the Board’s Nominating Committee.
- Plays a central role in major donor prospect meetings. With the Director of Development Operations, identifies, research, and plans paths for engagement of new prospects for leadership and major gifts, board prospects, and current major donors and board members. Works with the Director of Development Operations to track and regularly provides analysis of the progress and performance of major giving and planned giving.
- Manages a portfolio of 100-150 donors and prospects at the $15,000+ level. Identifies, researches, cultivates, solicits, and stewards gifts at this level and above. Regularly communicates with all donors/prospects in portfolio, focusing on discovery and cultivation of individuals with the capacity and affinity to give at this level and above.
- Oversees and improves endowed fund reporting.
- With the Director of Development, Director of Development Operations, and special events staff, serves as a staff liaison for the Folger’s annual gala and its volunteer fundraising committee.
- Supports Board Members with their hosted events on Folger’s behalf as assigned.
- Oversees Development Specialists work, including: conducting research and wealth screenings; gift entry and gift acknowledgement, creation of donor profiles and briefings, and tracking donor moves and relationships.
- Guides, trains, and mentors the Development Specialist in planned and major giving activities.
- Works at major development events, including Acquisitions Night, the Renaissance Circles program and dinner, theater and exhibition openings, Member Appreciation Weekend, and other events as needed.
Planned Giving:
- Collaborates closely with the Director of Development and Director of Development Operations to implement short-and long-term planned giving goals and strategies.
- Manages the Folger’s planned giving program and serves as the direct liaison with planned giving counsel, as relevant.
- Provides expertise in structuring complex gifts and collaborating with colleagues to close new planned gift intentions.
- Cultivates relationships with attorneys, trust officers, accountants, financial planners, and other estate planning professionals regarding gift opportunities for clients.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
- Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible development experience is necessary.
- 4+ years of management experience required. Significant expertise in major gift programs.
- Demonstrated record of conceiving and implementing fundraising strategies to successfully raise funds from individuals.
Skills and Knowledge:
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills required.
- Must possess excellent organizational and time management skills to manage multiple activities in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
- Ability to perform well both with independent initiative and as part of a closely woven development team.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite-Word, Excel, and Outlook is required.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
- This job operates in a professional office environment.
- The normal work week is Monday-Friday, 8:45 am to 4:45 pm.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Nonprofit HR is committed to fostering and maintaining a work environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are fully integrated into everything we do for the benefit of our employees and the clients that we serve.
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