Senior Director of Major Gifts
- Employer
- The Possible Project
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Salary
- Competitive Salary
- Closing date
- Feb 18, 2021
View more
- Position Type
- Executive, Fundraising, Donor Relations, Major Gifts, Prospect Research
- Fields
- Education, Technology, Youth
- Employment Type
- Full Time
The Possible Project (TPP), a nonprofit organization, seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as its Senior Director of Major Gifts. The ideal candidate is a development professional passionate about closing the opportunity gap, and with a strong track record of building relationships with donors to secure major gifts for mission-driven organizations and initiatives.
ABOUT THE POSSIBLE PROJECT:
The Possible Project (TPP) is a multi-year, youth entrepreneurship program offering students exciting project-based experiences, that includes:
-
the creation and running of
student-directed, passion-based ventures
work-based learning opportunities
through internships and fellowships
learning about and use of maker
equipment and technology, such as laser cutters, 3-D printers and
clothing printers/presses
personalized college and/or career
advising
Throughout their journey, students work with dedicated educators, advisors, and STEAM teachers, earn stipends, design products and services in a state-of-the-art makerspace, attend pitch panels and marketplaces, apply job readiness skills, build identity and social capital and explore the exciting opportunities that exist post-high school. Students have fun learning, growing and interacting with peers as they design their futures.
TPP is in its second decade of operations, having served nearly 1000 students in the greater Boston area. The organization employs 30+ professionals with plans to grow significantly in Boston over the next four years, as well as other cities beyond 2025. TPP has a strong professional development ethos, a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture, innovative curriculum and pedagogy, and a commitment to excellence and student impact. TPP is highly committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across organizational culture, practices, and programs. Currently in an expansion mode, TPP plans to open a 35,000 sq ft Boston Innovation Center serving 1000 students a year, launching in September 2021.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, the Senior Director of Major Gifts will lead major donor fundraising to support The Possible Project's work in Boston. The Senior Director of Major Gifts will play a critical role in implementing The Possible Project's development plan to diversify its annual revenue by boosting support from high net worth individuals. The Senior Director of Major Gifts will manage a portfolio of individuals, families, and senior professionals, as well as prospect and cultivate new donors passionate about The Possible Project's mission. The Senior Director's work will be heavily donor facing; direct mail, annual funds and gala fundraising will be less of a focus for this role.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
-
Create and employ strategic and
tactical approaches to individual and family cultivation and
giving
Develop new sources of sponsorship
thereby expanding the base of sponsors
Represent the growth plans of the
future, communicating the excitement of this expansion to
cultivated audiences via conversations, presentations, Innovation
Center specs and drawings, Innovation Center visits and student
experiences
Coordinate meetings and development
strategies that engage the The Possible Project's leadership teams;
write briefings and proposals for prospect meetings and align
stakeholders as needed to lead and close significant gifts
Manage and track all major donor
activity, outlining strategic next steps for each donor
Develop and maintain a thorough
understanding of The Possible Project's program and funding
priorities to effectively connect supporters to funding needs
Effectively communicate priorities in
face-to-face with donors and in writing to successfully match a
donor's philanthropic interest to funding need
Collaborate with development staff to
share and implement best practices and use of resources
Other duties and responsibilities as
needed
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:
-
Commitment to the mission and culture
of TPP
Ability to compellingly convey The
Possible Project's mission, impact, and needs across the community
in an authentic way that honors our students and their
families
7+ years successful fundraising
experience strongly preferred; minimum of three years of experience
closing gifts at or above $50,000
Ability to thrive in managing a
portfolio requiring independent and self-starting skill sets
Experience contributing to the
development of department strategy, with the ability to execute
effectively
Ability to represent and translate
data and technical information including ROI, neurobiology, SEL,
statistics and evaluation in a way that resonates across varying
audiences
Experience with Salesforce (nonprofit
success pack) or similar database systems
Ability to build strong, long-term
relationships with donors and prospects; strong listening skills,
and ability to converse with donors and prospects in a thoughtful,
engaged manner
Possess strong professional
communication, presentation, follow-through and team
skills
Strong analytical and
critical-thinking skills with a solutions-oriented approach to
addressing challenges
Exceptional oral and written
communication skills, including strong editing skills and a high
attention to detail
Possess the highest integrity in
dealing with colleagues, sponsors and students
High energy, dynamic, positive
personality
Commitment to live the values of
Diversity, Equity and inclusion (see Statement below)
Prioritize the needs, success and
well-being of students, our reason for being
DEI Statement:
We believe every member of our team and student body deserves opportunities for growth, success and inclusion. We recognize that for many of our students, staff and communities, their life journeys run through oppressive structures and systems (e.g. classism, racism, sexism) — and that’s what makes our organizational culture and work so necessary and important.
We believe that diversity in perspective, backgrounds, ethnicities and lived experience is a strength, and from that strength, we can accomplish great things with the students we serve. Together as students, staff, organizations, communities, volunteers, and partners, we are intentional about creating safe spaces where all members can speak authentically and be themselves.
We are committed to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. As members of The Possible Project community, our progression along this ongoing journey raises thoughtful questions, reveals biases, and opens conversations. We celebrate one another and are unified in our commitment to young people, excellence, and innovation. This work is our shared responsibility and our opportunity to welcome all members who share in our mission and strive to provide pathways that further prepare students in achieving their desired success.
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