POSITION STATEMENT
Associate Director of Annual Giving

Start Date: July 1, 2026

OVERVIEW
Brooklyn Friends School (BFS), a thriving Early Childhood-12 grade school located in vibrant Downtown Brooklyn, seeks an Associate Director of Annual Giving  within a dynamic community of colleagues(BFS uses the all-inclusive term, colleagues, to refer to all rather than one that delineates faculty/staff). Founded in 1867, Brooklyn Friends School’s pillars – diversity, equity & belonging; global social impact; and wholeness & wellbeing –  serve as guideposts for our action-oriented collective work. Our school’s history has been illustrious and reflective of the expansive nature of human experiences. Guided by our mission, BFS provides a dynamic, diverse, and robust social/emotional environment and academic program that cultivates compassionate, intellectually curious, and confident changemakers. As a school, we affirm that human diversity includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity and  expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, family structure and physical ability, as well as diversity of thought, talents, and learning style. Brooklyn Friends School does not discriminate based on these characteristics or any characteristic prohibited by law and provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified colleagues and applicants. If you need an accommodation related to any part of the hiring process, please send an email to hiring@brooklynfriends.org.   

This short video gives you a glimpse into our contemporary experience.

THE POSITION

The Associate Director of Annual Giving is a confident, relationship-centered fundraiser whose primary charge is building and sustaining the Fund for Brooklyn Friends School, the school's annual giving program and the foundation of its philanthropic culture. This role reports to the Director of Advancement and is responsible for growing participation and dollars year over year, deepening the school's leadership donor base and continuing the momentum of Giving Day as a signature community-wide giving moment.

BFS has growing philanthropic energy and an engaged parent community; the Associate Director will assess the landscape and determine the most effective approach to volunteer engagement in service of the annual fund. The person in this role will also lead the fundraising dimensions of the Benefit for BFS, the school's annual Spring fundraiser.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

This position reports to the Director of Advancement

• Set goals, timelines, and evaluation benchmarks for the Fund for Brooklyn Friends School, managing the full cycle of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Set ambitious dollar, participation, and qualitative goals with particular focus on growing the leadership donor base and increasing overall participation
• Own Giving Day as a signature, community-wide giving moment developing strategy, managing execution, and growing its reach year over year
• Partner with the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement and Strategic Initiatives on Alumni Giving Day, Reunion giving, and broader alumni giving goals
• Build and formalize a volunteer management structure across the annual fund and the Benefit for BFS 
• Develop the Fund for BFS case for support and oversee all donor-facing communications  including strategically segmented appeals, stewardship pieces, and targeted outreach across mail, email, video, and other channels
• Manage a year-round calendar of giving opportunities; support prospect research efforts to identify upgrade and leadership gift candidates
• Oversee gift acknowledgment and donor recognition; collaborate with the Communications and Marketing team on the Impact Report and other donor-facing publications
• Prepare data, analysis, and program updates to support the Director of Advancement in reporting to the Advancement Committee and Board of Trustees
• Lead the fundraising dimensions of the Benefit for BFS including revenue strategy, auction procurement, sponsorships, ticket sales, and post-event stewardship in partnership with the Associate Director of Digital Content and School Events
• Collaborate across the Advancement team to align annual fund efforts with alumni relations, events, and capital campaign priorities

Qualifications and Characteristics Sought:

• 5+ years of experience in fundraising or development
• Demonstrated track record as a frontline fundraiser, including direct donor solicitation and leadership gift cultivation
• Experience managing a high-profile fundraising event, including auction and sponsor solicitation
• A builder's mindset: proven ability to design and launch programs
• Strong volunteer management skills
• Exceptional organizational skills with careful attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple workflows simultaneously
• Strong writing, editing, and interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills, high energy, and a good sense of humor
• An appreciation for Quaker philosophy and Brooklyn Friends School's mission; comfort with and curiosity about Quaker values and decision-making practices
• Respect for confidentiality and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
• An uncompromisable commitment to inclusive and antiracist approaches to advancement and community engagement
• Knowledge of Raiser's Edge or similar CRM preferred; proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite
• Bachelor's degree required

Physical Requirements of the Job 

• Must be able to work in an office environment including prolonged periods of sitting and standing.
• Must be able to ambulate through a classroom setting, including walking up stairs.
• Must be able to stand, bend over, twist and reach to access file cabinets, bookshelves and navigate office and workstation spaces.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

Brooklyn Friends School provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified colleagues and applicants.

Union Status: Non-Union 

Salary Range: $120,162 - $132,639

This salary range represents the expected annual salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your education level, experience, and other job-related factors.

• Benefits: Colleagues may be eligible to participate in employment benefits including, but not limited to, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance and long-term disability insurance. Benefits are subject to change at any time and are subject to applicable plan documents.

To apply, please provide the following:

1. Cover letter addressed to the Director of Advancement, Cicely Upham. Along with punctuating your interest and experience, your cover letter should also address how you feel that your professional journey aligns with our school’s Quaker values and pillars of social justice, social impact, and wholeness. 
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
3. List of three references (with emails, phone numbers, and relationship to you). References will not be contacted without candidate knowledge and consent.
4. Completed online application.

Please email the above attachments (if possible as a single PDF) to hiring@brooklynfriends.org and cupham@brooklynfriends.org, and put Associate Director of Annual Giving in the subject line. Qualified candidates will be contacted after materials have been reviewed. 

About Brooklyn Friends School

Brooklyn Friends School (BFS) is a thriving Preschool-12 grade school located in vibrant Downtown Brooklyn with a dynamic community of colleagues (BFS uses the all-inclusive term, colleagues, to refer to all rather than one that delineates faculty/staff). Founded in 1867, Brooklyn Friends School’s pillars of social justice, service learning/civic engagement, and Quakerism, serve as guideposts for our action-oriented collective work. Our school’s history has been illustrious and reflective of the expansive nature of human experiences. Guided by our mission, BFS provides a dynamic, diverse, and robust social/emotional environment and academic program that cultivates compassionate, intellectually curious, and confident changemakers. As a school, we affirm that human diversity includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, family structure and physical ability, as well as diversity of thought, talents, and learning style.

Connections working at Brooklyn Friends School