Director of Individual Giving

Posted on 06/05/2020

King School

Stamford, CT

The Director of Individual Giving ​will provide strategic leadership for creating, executing, and evaluating a year-round annual giving program that is expected to achieve yearly growth as a key initiative of King School’s upcoming comprehensive campaign. The Director will also establish and manage both short- and long-term relationships with major donors and prospects determined to have the ability to make outright gifts or pledges of $5,000 or more to King School. In addition to personal solicitations, the Director will supervise and partner with the Development Manager of Annual Giving to set and implement annual giving strategies and will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Annual Giving Office.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  • The Director of Individual Giving will ​oversee the strategic development of a comprehensive fundraising plan and appeal schedule for the King School’s annual giving program: the King Fund. The FY20 King Fund goal is $2.25M.
  • Set dollar, participation, and qualitative goals for the King Fund.
  • Supervise the Development Manager, Annual Giving.
  • Develop and align plans and strategies to fulfill established annual giving fundraising targets through the effective implementation and integration of all available solicitation channels, including direct mail, e-mail, web-based/crowdfunding, phone, and personal appeals. Supervise the Development Manager of Annual Giving, in their execution.
  • Identify and deploy new tools and strategies to solicit and engender philanthropic support currently not in use at King.
  • Work strategically with the development team and board to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects/donors who have the ability to execute leadership-level annual fund gifts and/or restricted major gifts to the campaign, the endowment, or significant planned gifts.
  • Maintain a major gifts portfolio ($50,000+) of 25 to 50 prospects, and an individual giving portfolio ($5,000-$49,999) of 100 to 150 prospects to areas such as the King Fund, “current use” scholarships, Senior Parent Gift Fund, endowment and capital campaigns, and other restricted giving.
  • Conduct asks and closes solicitations in partnership with board members, and School leaders. Completes a minimum of 15-20 face-to-face visits per month.
  • Work closely with the Director of Prospect Management and Stewardship, Senior Associate Director of Development, and Director of Development on individual giving portfolio development and assignments.
  • Develop written proposals and strategy memos for major gift prospects.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong mutually rewarding relationships with parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and other constituents.
  • Develop detailed gift opportunities and naming opportunities tailored to the interests of potential major gift and capital campaign prospects/donors consistent with the needs and priorities of the school.
  • In conjunction with the ​Director of Engagement and Events​, identify and execute marketing opportunities for the Annual Fund such as website, Quest, newsletter, etc.
  • Formulate individualized solicitation strategies for planned giving and major “blended asks.” In consultation with donor’s advisors, provides donors with information regarding bequests, trusts, donation of deferred assets, etc.
  • Use marketing, events, and communications resources to strategically cultivate and position prospects within the community.
  • Create and oversee engagement strategies on a national level, including developing and leveraging regional events, for all constituency groups.
  • Manage a highly personalized pledge collection process for all donors within his/her own portfolio; recommends, in conjunction with the advancement services team, improved processes and execution of quarterly pledge reminders for major and capital gift initiatives.
  • Provide data for board reports and attend development committee meetings as needed.
  • Frequent travel, primarily within the local region, will be required.
  • Provide event support.
  • Occasional weekend and evening duties.
  • Perform all other duties as required.

Skills and Requirements

  • Bachelors’ degree required.
  • A minimum of 6+ years of closely related experience.
  • Nonprofit experience preferred.
  • Successful leadership-level solicitations of 6+ figures for both restricted and unrestricted usage of funds.
  • Experience in creatively developing and executing regional strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship purposes.
  • Capital campaign experience preferred.
  • Database experience preferred; experience with Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge and NXT a plus.
  • Must be able to work with and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, across a broad range of internal and external constituents including faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents and friends of the School.
  • Must possess excellent organizational and planning skills and a superior attentiveness to detail; high integrity and professionalism, respecting the confidential nature of donor information and the School’s business practices.
  • Be able to thrive and be flexible in a dynamic and fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
  • Must be available for evening and weekend work as required.
  • Commitment to King’s Mission, Virtues, and Diversity Policy Statement
  • Must have a positive public presence and a sense of humor.

To apply please email resume and cover letter to [email protected]​.

To apply for this job please visit www.kingschoolct.org.