Posted: 15-Jul-25
Location: Wilmington, Delaware
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Required Education:
Full-time, 12-month position; Exempt
Position to begin on or around August 25, 2025
Wilmington Friends School offers a college preparatory curriculum—including athletics, the arts and community service—in which Quaker values and high expectations are mutually supportive. The defining belief of Quakerism is that there is “that of God” in everyone. That belief gives rise to a school community that welcomes a variety of faith traditions and where we share an obligation to seek and answer what is best in ourselves and in others. Students at Friends are challenged to realize their potential: as learners, well prepared to succeed in college and career; as leaders, recognizing their power and opportunity to be agents of change; and as active and responsible members of communities, from the classroom to the world. The school seeks to serve students, age two through grade twelve, who demonstrate ongoing promise in their ability to succeed at Friends, both academically and in meeting expectations for integrity and conduct.
Wilmington Friends School is a Preschool to 12 Quaker, college preparatory, day school located in Wilmington, Delaware and enrolling approximately 700 students.
Reporting directly to the Interim Director of Development, the Philanthropy Officer (Major Gifts) works to build and enhance relationships with all constituents for the purpose of increasing financial support to Wilmington Friends School. The Philanthropy Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major Annual Fund, capital, endowment, and planned gifts. The Philanthropy Officer will work with prospective donors to determine their philanthropic interest related to the School’s fundraising goals.
Responsibilities:
- Partner with the Interim Director of Development to determine background, strategies and action steps needed to identify and develop major donors.
- Manage a personal portfolio of approximately 150 leadership alumni prospects and donors to ensure that timely steps are taken toward cultivation, solicitation, and closure.
- Develop and implement prospect-specific strategies for cultivating and soliciting major and planned giving gift prospects for programs and projects as set forth by the Board of Trustees.
- Make assessment calls, cultivate, solicit, provide recognition, and steward appropriately leadership and major gifts, with an emphasis on gifts at the $25,000+ level. Work with donors on multiple giving methods including current and deferred giving, non-cash gifts, and related tax implications.
- Support the stewardship of donors by helping to implement recognition strategies, facilitate impact reporting, and maintain ongoing relationships that express gratitude and encourage continued engagement.
- Develop and personalize compelling cases for support aligned with WFS values and initiatives.
- Craft donor impact stories and reports to deepen engagement.
- Build relationships with donors and coordinate solicitations as appropriate with the Head of School, Interim Director of Development, or other key volunteers.
- Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of Wilmington Friends School’s educational and strategic programs in order to effectively articulate the School’s priorities and fundraising objectives to donors.
- Support the implementation of the School’s Strategic Plan by actively participating in one of four strategic committees. Help identify and engage constituents who may be interested in financially supporting key initiatives outlined in the plan.
- Partner with the 25th and 50th Reunion Committees to plan meaningful class celebrations and lead targeted fundraising efforts in support of the School.
- Help to identify new avenues of foundational support and assist in the grant-writing process
- Contribute to WFS Magazine, including generation of story ideas, conducting of interviews/research, and writing of articles intended to highlight philanthropy
- Prepare and submit goals that contain specific timelines, projected results, and outcomes.
- Document all activity in the Raiser’s Edge database.
- Attend all appropriate Development and Major Gifts meetings – keeping detailed minutes to be disseminated to Development Planning Committee members
- Help with set up/clean up and attend other school-related events, both local and regional, as appropriate.
- Work closely with the Alumni/Development staff to ensure appropriate coordination and communication
- Develop agendas and lead regular campaign/prospect meetings
- Other duties as assigned by the Interim Director of Development
Qualifications:
The position requires a bachelor’s degree and a candidate with strong interpersonal, oral and written communication, and computer skills. Prior experience in successfully cultivating and securing major gifts is preferred. This person should have the ability to work independently and as a member of a team in a fast-paced environment, and be able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively and efficiently. Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge and independent school culture is an asset. Significant travel - up to 50% - is required.
Night and weekend work is required.
Diversity and Inclusion at Wilmington Friends School:
At Wilmington Friends, diversity is integral to our educational objectives and to our mission as a Quaker school. The defining belief of Quakerism is that there is “that of God” in everyone. That belief gives rise to a profound respect for the dignity of each person and an obligation to lead on issues of social justice. Guided by Quaker principles, we seek to build and sustain a community of students, families, faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees with a variety of identities—in terms of culture, economic means, ethnicity, gender, nationality, race, religion, and sexual orientation.
It is Wilmington Friends School’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, first responder status, or other protected status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. It is the intent and resolve of Wilmington Friends School to comply with the letter and the spirit of the law in the implementation of all facets of equal opportunity. This equal opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, training, promotion, compensation, termination, and retirement.
Interested candidates should provide a letter of interest, current resume, and list of three references to Interim Director of Development, Tina DiSabatino, tdisabatino@wilmingtonfriends.org , by July 31, 2025. Wilmington Friends School alumni are encouraged to apply.
The position requires a bachelor’s degree and a candidate with strong interpersonal, oral and written communication, and computer skills. Prior experience in successfully cultivating and securing major gifts is preferred. This person should have the ability to work independently and as a member of a team in a fast-paced environment, and be able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively and efficiently. Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge and independent school culture is an asset. Significant travel - up to 50% - is required.
Night and weekend work is required.