Associate Director of Development, Major and Planned Gifts
Association of Fundraising Professionals, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
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 Chief Development Officer, 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 Chief Development Officer 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 a passion for philanthropy. This individual will be part of the Development department’s senior team supporting other leaders by fostering a culture of philanthropy to ensure fund development is executed in keeping with the values, mission, and strategic direction of the Folger Shakespeare Library.
The standard schedule for this role is Monday‑Friday, 9:00am‑5:00pm, a 35‑hour week. Frequent evenings and weekends will be required for special programs. The position is hybrid, with three days on‑site per week. The selected candidate must live within commuting distance of the D.C. office.
Compensation
This is a monthly‑paid salary position, with an annual rate of $100,000–110,000.
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 Major and Planned Gifts supervises the Development Associate for Major and Planned Gifts.
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 supervise advancing development professionals and will interface with both internal and external constituents to provide 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 Chief Development Officer in establishing annual and long‑range fundraising goals.
Assists the Chief Development Officer in increasing individual Board gifts and identifies high potential among current Board members. Works with the Chief Development Officer 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 Associate Director of Development Operations, identifies, researches, and plans paths for engagement of new prospects for leadership and major gifts, board prospects, and current major donors and board members. Tracks 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. Communicates with all donors and prospects in portfolio, focusing on discovery and cultivation of individuals with the capacity and affinity to give at this level and above.
Coordinates with other development team members to ensure relationships with these donors and prospects are advancing and that the Folger has fully identified their potential to give.
Portfolio may include specific giving initiatives or membership groups.
Oversees and improves endowed fund reporting.
Serves as a staff liaison for the Folger’s annual gala and its volunteer fundraising committee, identifying prospective table sponsors and ticket buyers for solicitation by staff or committee members.
Oversees development associates in drafting and sending requests to individual prospects for gala sponsorships and tickets and sending gift acknowledgements. Ensures benefits are fulfilled.
Supports Board Members with their hosted events on Folger’s behalf, assisting with list creation, invitation design, tracking RSVPs, coordinating caterers and other vendors, and following up tasks as needed.
Supports events as needed, preparing and briefing Board members and Senior Directors on their tasks at the event and creating a follow‑up plan for every attendee.
Oversees Development Associate work, including conducting research and wealth screenings, gift entry and acknowledgement, creation of donor profiles and briefings, and tracking donor moves and relationships.
Guides, trains, and mentors the Development Associate in planned and major giving activities, ensuring the Associate is involved in donor meetings and events and given opportunities to grow their skills.
Works at major development events, including Acquisitions Night, the Renaissance Circles program and dinner, theatre and exhibition openings, and other events as needed. Assigns donor‑cultivation tasks to Senior Directors and Board members before events, and coordinates follow‑up with these leaders and the donors and prospects they engaged after events.
Planned Giving
Collaborates closely with the Chief Development Officer and Associate Director of Development Operations to implement short- and long‑term planned giving goals and strategies to build upon existing commitments and expand the current donor base.
Manages the Folger’s planned giving program and serves as the direct liaison with planned giving counsel. Fulfills benefits for First Folio Society members. Works closely with Senior Development leadership to identify opportunities with annual giving appeals to market planned giving. Oversees development team members in coordinating the development and maintenance of the web page for the planned giving programs.
Provides expertise in structuring complex gifts and collaborating with colleagues to close new planned gift intentions and manage multi‑channel marketing and communications efforts to promote planned giving, working closely with the Associate Director of Development Operations to create a robust pipeline of donors and prospects.
Oversees effective handling and processing of estate gift administration to ensure appropriate stewardship and closure of realized gifts and responds to donor inquiries with appropriate information on bequests, life‑income gifts and other gift‑planning vehicles.
Cultivates relationships with attorneys, trust officers, accountants, financial planners, and other estate‑planning professionals regarding gift opportunities for clients and provides material for their use, exchangeing up‑to‑date information on current best practices, requesting referrals, and discussing donor interests.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience required.
5‑7 years of progressively responsible experience in development is necessary, preferably in a cultural, art, academic or non‑profit institution.
Prior supervisory experience required. Significant expertise in major‑gift programs.
Demonstrated record of conceiving and implementing fundraising strategies to successfully raise funds from individuals.
Experience researching and tracking major donor prospects and developing strategies to increase funding.
Temperament suitable for working in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
Exceptional recognition of ethical and legal requirements for confidentiality in handling sensitive information and situations.
Skills and Knowledge
Excellent verbal and written communication 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 independently and as part of a closely woven development team.
Ability to motivate and nurture growth and foster independence and collaboration as a staff supervisor and mentor.
Has a customer‑service‑oriented mindset with a propensity to work with the public and relate effectively with a diverse donor population.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite—Word, Excel, Outlook—is required.
Knowledge of Tessitura, KindSight/iWave, Wordfly, and HTML is highly desirable.
Must be skilled in facilitating face‑to‑face solicitation as well as writing persuasive appeals.
Ability to effectively work with volunteer leadership and senior staff, involving them in the cultivation and solicitation process is essential.
Ability to work under pressure managing multiple priorities and to meet multiple deadlines.
A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey, the Folger’s mission with genuine passion, and the willingness to continually learn about the programs and mission.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Associate Director of Development, Major and Planned Gifts
(AD‑MPG). This role, reporting to the Chief Development Officer, 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 Chief Development Officer 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 a passion for philanthropy. This individual will be part of the Development department’s senior team supporting other leaders by fostering a culture of philanthropy to ensure fund development is executed in keeping with the values, mission, and strategic direction of the Folger Shakespeare Library.
The standard schedule for this role is Monday‑Friday, 9:00am‑5:00pm, a 35‑hour week. Frequent evenings and weekends will be required for special programs. The position is hybrid, with three days on‑site per week. The selected candidate must live within commuting distance of the D.C. office.
Compensation
This is a monthly‑paid salary position, with an annual rate of $100,000–110,000.
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 Major and Planned Gifts supervises the Development Associate for Major and Planned Gifts.
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 supervise advancing development professionals and will interface with both internal and external constituents to provide 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 Chief Development Officer in establishing annual and long‑range fundraising goals.
Assists the Chief Development Officer in increasing individual Board gifts and identifies high potential among current Board members. Works with the Chief Development Officer 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 Associate Director of Development Operations, identifies, researches, and plans paths for engagement of new prospects for leadership and major gifts, board prospects, and current major donors and board members. Tracks 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. Communicates with all donors and prospects in portfolio, focusing on discovery and cultivation of individuals with the capacity and affinity to give at this level and above.
Coordinates with other development team members to ensure relationships with these donors and prospects are advancing and that the Folger has fully identified their potential to give.
Portfolio may include specific giving initiatives or membership groups.
Oversees and improves endowed fund reporting.
Serves as a staff liaison for the Folger’s annual gala and its volunteer fundraising committee, identifying prospective table sponsors and ticket buyers for solicitation by staff or committee members.
Oversees development associates in drafting and sending requests to individual prospects for gala sponsorships and tickets and sending gift acknowledgements. Ensures benefits are fulfilled.
Supports Board Members with their hosted events on Folger’s behalf, assisting with list creation, invitation design, tracking RSVPs, coordinating caterers and other vendors, and following up tasks as needed.
Supports events as needed, preparing and briefing Board members and Senior Directors on their tasks at the event and creating a follow‑up plan for every attendee.
Oversees Development Associate work, including conducting research and wealth screenings, gift entry and acknowledgement, creation of donor profiles and briefings, and tracking donor moves and relationships.
Guides, trains, and mentors the Development Associate in planned and major giving activities, ensuring the Associate is involved in donor meetings and events and given opportunities to grow their skills.
Works at major development events, including Acquisitions Night, the Renaissance Circles program and dinner, theatre and exhibition openings, and other events as needed. Assigns donor‑cultivation tasks to Senior Directors and Board members before events, and coordinates follow‑up with these leaders and the donors and prospects they engaged after events.
Planned Giving
Collaborates closely with the Chief Development Officer and Associate Director of Development Operations to implement short- and long‑term planned giving goals and strategies to build upon existing commitments and expand the current donor base.
Manages the Folger’s planned giving program and serves as the direct liaison with planned giving counsel. Fulfills benefits for First Folio Society members. Works closely with Senior Development leadership to identify opportunities with annual giving appeals to market planned giving. Oversees development team members in coordinating the development and maintenance of the web page for the planned giving programs.
Provides expertise in structuring complex gifts and collaborating with colleagues to close new planned gift intentions and manage multi‑channel marketing and communications efforts to promote planned giving, working closely with the Associate Director of Development Operations to create a robust pipeline of donors and prospects.
Oversees effective handling and processing of estate gift administration to ensure appropriate stewardship and closure of realized gifts and responds to donor inquiries with appropriate information on bequests, life‑income gifts and other gift‑planning vehicles.
Cultivates relationships with attorneys, trust officers, accountants, financial planners, and other estate‑planning professionals regarding gift opportunities for clients and provides material for their use, exchangeing up‑to‑date information on current best practices, requesting referrals, and discussing donor interests.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience required.
5‑7 years of progressively responsible experience in development is necessary, preferably in a cultural, art, academic or non‑profit institution.
Prior supervisory experience required. Significant expertise in major‑gift programs.
Demonstrated record of conceiving and implementing fundraising strategies to successfully raise funds from individuals.
Experience researching and tracking major donor prospects and developing strategies to increase funding.
Temperament suitable for working in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
Exceptional recognition of ethical and legal requirements for confidentiality in handling sensitive information and situations.
Skills and Knowledge
Excellent verbal and written communication 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 independently and as part of a closely woven development team.
Ability to motivate and nurture growth and foster independence and collaboration as a staff supervisor and mentor.
Has a customer‑service‑oriented mindset with a propensity to work with the public and relate effectively with a diverse donor population.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite—Word, Excel, Outlook—is required.
Knowledge of Tessitura, KindSight/iWave, Wordfly, and HTML is highly desirable.
Must be skilled in facilitating face‑to‑face solicitation as well as writing persuasive appeals.
Ability to effectively work with volunteer leadership and senior staff, involving them in the cultivation and solicitation process is essential.
Ability to work under pressure managing multiple priorities and to meet multiple deadlines.
A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey, the Folger’s mission with genuine passion, and the willingness to continually learn about the programs and mission.
#J-18808-Ljbffr