Summary of Position:

The Annual Giving Officer, 1798 Circle, will advance the strategic mission of Milton by overseeing annual leadership-level solicitations with donors with a giving potential of $1,000 to $25,000+ annually to the Milton Fund. The Annual Giving Officer (AGO) will represent the School in prospect visits or at events with the primary focus of building membership in the 1798 Circle, which recognizes Milton Fund donors who contribute $1798 or more annually. This position manages a robust portfolio of primarily Milton alumni prospects, develops and implements strategies to sustain current success, as well as the future growth of the $6 million annual giving program. In addition to managing a portfolio of prospects, the AGO also manages a select group of leadership volunteers, the 1798 Circle Committee, who solicit their peers annually at the leadership level.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: 

• Work with the Director of the Milton Fund as well as Leadership Gifts Officers to increase the level of 1798 Circle donors to the Milton Fund (up to $25,000+/year), with particular focus on the $1,798 through $10,000 levels.
• Maintain a portfolio of 200-250 prospects annually in varied relationship stages including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Responsible for making 12 substantive contacts monthly. Leverage face-to-face and virtual meetings, phone calls, emails, and other contacts to build relationships and increase support from prospects.
• Qualify prospects for major and planned gifts, and steward introductions to colleagues to build a major gift pipeline
• Track and report to the Director of the Milton Fund on assigned key performance indicator metrics for portfolio
• Coordinate efforts with the director of planned giving to ensure consistent communication about gift planning and to leverage non-traditional gifts such as donor advised funds and life income funds as a means to meet fundraising goals.
• Collaborate closely with stewardship and donor relations to manage and execute stewardship for donors including recognition of loyalty, leadership, and volunteer service.
• Recruit and train both new and returning 1798 Circle volunteers through a combination of face-to-face and virtual interactions.
• Provide timely training, ongoing support, consultation, and direction for volunteers (including schedules, Milton news that may impact their fundraising efforts, reports, donor lists, sample text, and toolkits).
• Set annual goals and develop strategic direction for volunteers to achieve those goals that add value and align with the Milton Fund’s mission.
• Participate in the development and implementation of Milton Fund’s priorities; prepare key reports as needed.
• Work with the Milton Fund team to ensure coordinated, synchronized efforts during the solicitation and stewardship cycle.
• Other responsibilities and duties as assigned; some travel required.

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree and have at least four years of fundraising, alumni relations, or related experience; a proven track record of meeting solicitation goals; strong volunteer management skills. Experience in an independent school or college environment is preferred.

Qualified candidates will have a strong command of Microsoft Office and Google suite, preferably Raiser’s Edge and Evertrue.

Other required experience and abilities include:

• Willingness to make cold calls with prospects and donors.
• Ability to establish rapport and cultivate relationships with prospects and donors.
• Be a genuine, invested, and flexible team player.
• The position requires outstanding time management skills, written and oral communication skills, organization skills, and attention to detail.
• Must be self-motivated, and able to work well both independently and cooperatively; proven success working as a member of a team.

Milton Academy welcomes candidates who would add to the racial, cultural and gender balance of the School community. Milton Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.