Career Center

Educational Solutions 
Director of Philanthropy

Job Description

The Director of Philanthropy serves as the principal fundraising officer and grants manager for that Educational Solutions.  They are responsible for the oversight, planning and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising program that secures the significant financial resources from individuals, members, foundations, corporations, and others to support EDUCATIONAL SOLUTIONS’ mission. They manage all major gifts functions, which include principal gifts, planned giving, donor prospecting and research, and special one- or multi-year fundraising campaigns. They will work with the CEO, Executive Director, and Board executive committee members to establish fundraising goals and is accountable for these goals. The Director of Philanthropy understands and complies with all gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals. The Director of Philanthropy works in partnership with the fundraising consultant, director of finance and director of communications.

Fundraising:

• Organizes and implements fundraising opportunities and events for organization.
• Implement, track, and follow up on annual, sponsorships, planned giving, other giving campaigns, and other initiatives.
• Makes calls and schedules visits with potential and current donors to nurture their interest in EDUCATIONAL SOLUTIONS.
• Coordinate the timely dispatch of acknowledgement letters for financial and in-kind donations.
• Oversees gift acceptance.
• Coordinates monthly reporting and financial recording with the Finance Department for board reports and audits.
• Research and write grants; provide timely reporting and ensure compliance as required with grant awards.
• Coordinate database use and management for donor records and acknowledgements.
• Keep master calendar for development work and manage adherence to its tasks and timelines.
• Serve as staff for the Development Committee.
• Identify and apply innovative technologies that will assist EDUCATIONAL SOLUTIONS’ development and communication efforts.
• Implement social networking and marketing strategies to increase visibility of EDUCATIONAL SOLUTIONS.
• Keep master calendar for communications/marketing and manage adherence to its tasks and timelines.
• Manage all events and external gatherings

Executive Committee Support:

• Prepare reports, statistics, and other documents, and provide general support as needed for executive management, the Development Committee, and the Boards of Directors.
• Help with board member events/materials/communication.
• Maintain current list of board members (names, positions, addresses, phone, email).
• Keep copies of all board meeting documents in appropriate file/binders.
• Ensure confidentiality of all privileged and proprietary EDUCATIONAL SOLUTIONS information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience/Technical Skills:

• At least five (5) years’ fundraising experience.
• Management experience, including the ability to motivate, leads, set objectives, and manage the performance of a board of directors. Ability to foster an environment of creativity and professional growth.
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation and fundraising campaigns.
• Proven success in asking for and closing major gifts.
• Building and maintaining long-term relationships with major individual donors, foundations, and corporations.
• Proven success in writing and securing grants.
• Working and effective understanding of the basics of charitable gift planning.
• Knowledge of more advanced gift planning concepts a plus.
• Experience using Raiser's Edge or similar donor database or similar fundraising software.

Physical Demands: This job requires the employee to stand, stoop, bend, climb stairs, and lift up to 20lbs. The position requires fine motor skill of typing, writing, filing and visual acuity. This position requires the ability to speak clearly and understandably.

Work Environment: Working conditions consist of a regular office environment for all functions of the job. 10% of time may be allocated for local travel to/from member organizations, individual donors, board members, or funders as part of this position.