Director of Philanthropy and Individual Giving

Position Summary: Reporting to the Chief Development and Communications Office, the Director of Philanthropy and Individual Giving, will play a critical role in leading and growing JCCA’s individual giving programs. This person will lead and manage major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for individual annual giving, planned giving, and the Campaign for Campus Renewal. In addition, this position will lead a team of fundraising professionals that support the philanthropy operations.

DIRECT FUNDRAISING RESPONSIBILIES (70% of time)

• Drive Major Gift Fundraising Initiatives
• Identify, qualify, and cultivate a dynamic portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and foundations with the potential to make significant gifts.
• Develop and implement personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies for major gift prospects.
• Secure major gifts for unrestricted funding, the annual campaign, and the Campaign for Campus Renewal.
• Lead planning of major gift fundraising events including JCCA Gala, A Tree Grows in Pleasantville, and other ad hoc development events.
• Conduct 4-8 donor visits each month, including capability to travel to Westchester at least 3x a month to meet with donors on JCCA’s Westchester Campus and the surrounding area
• Strengthening Donor Relationships and Stewardship
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors through personalized communication, high-level engagement, and exceptional donor experiences.
• Work with Communications team to develop and update supportive materials for engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship purposes.

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBLITIES (30% of time)

• Team Leadership and Collaboration
• Oversee and mentor a team of 3 fundraising professionals to support the individual giving program, including the Events Manager, the Database Manager, and the Development Associate, providing guidance, training, and support.
• Set clear performance goals for team members and monitor progress toward those goals.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment by providing regular feedback and coaching.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across the organization, including development, communications, government relations, program, and finance teams.
• Strategic Fundraising Planning and Development
• Support the CDCO by contributing to the development and implementation of the overall fundraising strategy for individual unrestricted giving and the Campaign for Campus Renewal.
• Strategize with senior leadership and philanthropy colleagues to build and manage a network of relationships with prospective donors.
• Collaborate with the CDCO to develop annual fundraising goals, mid-year revisions, year-end evaluations, and other revenue and activity reporting as requested.
• Support the CDCO in staffing the Fund Development Committee and Campaign for Campus Renewal Committee.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of professional fundraising experience (at least 5 years at the major gifts level)
• Prior experience successfully soliciting and closing $10K+ gifts (e.g. experience in positions such as Major Gifts Officer or Senior Development Officer looking for a lateral move, Development Director looking to grow in a larger global organization); experience raising at least $1,000,000 in total gifts over time
• 3+ years managing and mentoring fundraising professionals
• Proven success in soliciting and closing major gifts, and in building and maintaining relationships with major donors
• Outstanding relationship building and people skills, including strong written and oral communication.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Tech savvy, comfortable using donor management systems (e.g. Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce) and dedicated to maintaining effective data and utilizing available technologies

This is a fundraising job and candidates should enjoy and excel at direct cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• There is an option for this candidate to work from our Westchester location if preferred