Director of Philanthropy

Why Work with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship?

There are over 2500 campuses in the US with more than 1000 students, and the majority of them have no known Christian ministry. Gen Z is curious and open to exploring their faith, but they need someone to guide them. InterVarsity wants to reach the campus with the Good News, disciple students through Scripture and service, and equip them as leaders and tomorrow’s world-changers. If you have a heart for students and faculty — one of the most strategic callings you could ever pursue — join our team!

At this time, a candidate living in the Western United States is preferred.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

To advance the purpose of InterVarsity, this position will work in partnership with ministry leaders and qualified philanthropists to secure funding for national priorities and other initiatives as they align with national priorities.

Personal:

• Be a maturing disciple of Jesus Christ: growing in love for God, God’s Word, God’s people of every ethnicity and culture, and God’s purposes in the world.
• Work to remain current on the work of InterVarsity on college campuses in Collegiate Ministries and Graduate and Faculty Ministries.
• Be a lifelong learner who prizes the discipleship of the mind and remains current on fundraising principles and practices. Also, become familiar with and conversant in current topics and concerns within church denominations that impact InterVarsity’s donors.

Typical Duties:

• Care for a portfolio of 100-125 major donor prospects who can give gifts of $25,000 or more. Shepherd donors through all stages of the donor cycle:
  • Conduct intentional meetings to qualify whether a ministry partner is ready and willing to start the donor cycle towards giving a major gift.
  • After qualifying a potential donor, develop engagement plans to work through the donor cycle: Cultivation, Solicitation and Stewardship.
• Maintain active travel schedule (2-4 days each, ~2 trips per month) to meet with donors in major metro areas as assigned. Also employ alternative communications such as virtual meetings, etc.
• Execute donor engagement plans to cultivate and solicit gifts within 6-18 months, working closely with field staff colleagues and national leaders as applicable.
• Maintain accurate and timely records/contact reports of all interaction with donors utilizing fundraising software.
• Coordinate and maintain positive relationships with Development colleagues, other InterVarsity national departments, and field staff to maximize donor relationships and philanthropic giving to the ministry.
• Provide expertise when asked about the Director of Philanthropy’s role and responsibilities. Be an ambassador and expert helping others understand the opportunities for partnership and the boundaries of the job.
• Travel to participate in occasional team meetings (~3 times per year, 3 days) and help host donors at InterVarsity national events (~1-2 per year, 2-5 days).
• Administrative: Work within InterVarsity’s policies and procedures; work within your budget.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Accountability:

• In cooperation with the National Director, complete an annual plan, including standardized metrics and individual metrics.
• Individual metrics include:
  • A fundraising goal tailored to your list
  • Visits and outreach tracking
  • Number of proposals asked for and closed
  • New donors qualified
  • Other helpful metrics as necessary

Donor Stewardship and Spiritual Care:

• Recognize the spiritual nature of giving, especially to a ministry, and actively walk alongside donors in their own journey around money and stewardship of God’s resources.
• Partake in activities including (but not limited to):
  • Approach relationships with donors as a discipleship journey.
  • While meeting with donors, have intentional discipleship conversations about spiritual matters such as financial stewardship and how God is using them in business and as philanthropists.
  • Follow an intentional process with each donor to explore what God is calling them to support.
  • Engage in regular conversations for a 6–18-month period when working on a particular gift.
  • Lead prayer in donor meetings, invite and initiate prayer as a regular part of the meeting.
  • Stay up to date on Church and cultural discussions on money and actively suggest ways to seek God’s will when considering giving decisions.
  • Host donor cultivation events that will help them grow spiritually, such as a Bible study or spiritual retreat.

QUALIFICATIONS

Outlook:

• Annually affirm InterVarsity’s Statement of Faith
• Passionate about InterVarsity’s mission to be a redeeming influence in higher education; experience with InterVarsity’s ministry on campus preferred
• Demonstrated highest degree of integrity, professionalism, and spiritual maturity
• Self-starter/takes initiative; possesses a strong work ethic and an ability to work independently and solve problems
• Ability and desire to travel
• Capable of effective collaboration in a complex organization
• Ability to work in and respect InterVarsity’s culture and staff while also living in and respecting the culture of major donors
• Demonstrated quality of spiritual life that is an example to others

Major Gifts Experience:

• Significant major donor fund development experience with a minimum of 5-7 years of transferable professional experience.
• Demonstrated skills and experience of a major gift officer, familiar with moves management strategies and practices, and has applied them with major donors.
• Comfortable in asking for specific gifts; ability to plan for objections and determine next steps for successfully closing a gift.

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree and/or professional certifications beneficial

Professional Skills:

• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in the use of a CRM system such as Salesforce or other system.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, Google and other websites that may increase your knowledge of donors/prospects.

Pay Range: $77,580.00 - $103,440.00 per year

Equal Employment Opportunity:

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA is both an equal opportunity employer and a faith-based religious organization. We conduct hiring without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, marital status, parental status, membership in any labor organization, political ideology, or disability of an otherwise qualified individual. The status of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA as an equal opportunity employer does not prevent the organization from hiring staff based on their religious beliefs so that all staff share the same religious commitment. Pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 702 (42 U.S.C. 2000e 1(a)) InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA has the right to, and does, hire only candidates who agree with InterVarsity’s Statement of Agreement: Purpose and Doctrinal Basis because InterVarsity believes that each and every staff plays a vital role in advancing InterVarsity’s mission and purposes.