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Associate Director, Planned and Major Gifts

Employer
Folger Shakespeare Library
Location
District of Columbia, United States
Salary
$85,000.00 - $100,000.00
Closing date
Mar 19, 2021

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The Folger Shakespeare Library, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, seeks an Associate Director, Planned and Major Gifts to join a dynamic fundraising team. The Folger is a subsidiary of Amherst College, a liberal arts college located in Amherst, MA.  The Folger opened in 1932, in Washington, DC, adjacent to the Library of Congress and steps from the US Capitol.  Currently closed to the public for a two-year, $72 million renovation and expansion, the Folger will re-open in 2023.  Since 1932, the Folger has been supported by a robust endowment as well as contributed and earned income. 
 

Job Description: 

 
The Folger is seeking a creative, energetic, and experienced development professional with experience in capital campaigns, major gifts and familiarity with planned giving, to join this experienced team working on the largest capital campaign in the institution’s history. The Associate Director, Planned and Major Gifts (AD-PMG) will be devoted to the cultivation and solicitation of individual donors, with particular attention to building upon and creating successful relationships with donors and prospects, identifying capital campaign prospects, working with the planned giving program, and stewardship of the legacy giving society. Collaborating closely with the Chief Advancement Officer, Senior Directors, the Board of Governors, the Advancement Committee, and Folger staff, the AD-PMG: develops, records, and implements strategies from identification through proposal and closure on gifts of $50,000+; manages various cultivation initiatives, including small to mid-sized events; works closely with colleagues on donor stewardship; and coordinates the marketing program for our planned giving effort. As a member of the advancement team, the AD-PMG will become familiar with the institutional priorities and express them eloquently to internal and external contacts. Additionally, the AD-PMG will work in collaboration with the Advancement team to identify and engage potential new leadership on the donor and Board level.  

Pandemic response: All non-essential Folger staff are working remotely and all programming has been moved online. At present, the Folger has not set a return-to-work date. In lieu of meetings and visits, the Associate Director may engage in substantive virtual visits that have planned objectives and actionable outcomes that advance a relationship.  

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Together with Associate Directors for individual giving and corporate and foundation relations, serves as a cabinet of key advisors to the Chief Advancement Officer in the oversight of the Folger’s development efforts, and as a resource to the Director and members of the Advancement/Campaign Committee of the Folger Board of Governors. 
     
  • Manages a portfolio of 125-150 donors and prospects at the $50,000+ level, with a focus on personal cultivation and facilitating steps that may include the Director, Governors, Senior Directors, or other Folger personnel. Meets or exceeds average monthly visit targets, records at least one step every six months with all assigned prospects and works with the Development team members regularly to assess and adjust portfolio. Meets or exceeds target benchmarks for proposals and gift closures, set in consultation with the CAO. Writes all necessary correspondence and prepares proposals, and other relevant presentations.  

 

  • Supervises campaign administration including marketing, communication, stewardship, major events, and facilitating campaign committee communication. Tracks campaign progress; enhances and monitors policies and procedures about gift acceptance, naming opportunities, credits, etc. 

 

  • Directs the planned giving program, including estate administration, and serves as the primary liaison with planned giving counsel at Amherst College as needed. Serves as a resource to other Folger development officers who close gifts with planned components. Tracks and regularly provides analysis of the progress and performance of planned giving. 

 

  • Supports Board members with their hosted campaign cultivation events on the Folger’s behalf approximately 3-4 times annually. Creates an events strategy, assists board members with list creation and invitation design (from among set templates), tracks RSVPs, and coordinates technology and/or catering and other vendors with the Office of Special Events. Staffs events. Prepares and briefs Board members and Senior Directors on their tasks at the event. Prepares follow-up communication with host and guests and coordinates any specific steps to assigned gift officers.  
     
  • In coordination with Advancement Team, identifies and plans paths for engagement of new prospects for leadership and major gifts, board prospects, and current major donors and board members. Prepares briefings for visits by Development staff, Senior Directors, and Board members to major donor prospects. Tracks all moves with donor and prospect relationships in Tessitura. 
     
  • Works at major development events, including Acquisitions Night, the Annual Gala, the Renaissance Circles program and dinner, theater and exhibition openings, Member Appreciation Weekend, and other events as needed.  

 

  • Establishes projections for solicitation and closure that are both assertive and achievable for this position as well as for the Development Officer. 

 

  • Completes all necessary administrative requirements regarding prospect strategies and action steps, including expense reports, in a timely manner. 
     
  • Supervises the Major Gift Officer for Planned and Major Gifts, a position that is suspended for FY2021. Oversees related project work of the Development Associate and Executive Assistant. 

 

 

Education and Experience: 

  • B.A. required with seven to ten years of progressively responsible development experience necessary, preferably in higher education or a cultural institution.  
  • Significant expertise in individual giving and major gift programs, with working knowledge of Gift Planning fundamentals with demonstrated experience in successful personal cultivation and solicitation resulting in gifts of $50,000 or more is required.  
  • Experience with capital campaigns and supervision is a must. 

Skills Required: 

  • Skilled in facilitating face-to-face solicitation as well as writing persuasive appeals.  
  • Excellent writing, interpersonal communication, and time management skills as well as a demonstrated record of conceiving and implementing successful fundraising strategies with primarily individual prospects.  
  • Working knowledge of campaign administration, including policies, volunteer deployment, stewardship, communications, and reporting, is required.  
  • Ability to work effectively with volunteer leadership and senior staff, involving them, as appropriate, in the cultivation and solicitation process is essential.  
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook is required; knowledge of Tessitura or similar donor database systems is preferred. 
  • High energy level and enthusiasm is greatly valued. The ability to perform well both with independent initiative and as part of a closely woven development team is required. 

Physical Requirements: 

This job operates in a professional office environment. The employee may be exposed to various components of an office environment such as florescent lighting, pollen, dust, recycled air, cooling fans, semi-enclosed areas, central heating, seasonal warmer temperatures and office noise. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

  • Normal work week is Monday-Friday, 8:45 am to 4:45 pm. Ability to work varying and additional hours as project demands arise (including evenings and weekends as necessary). 
  • Occasionally required to move file boxes or other office items of 20 – 40 pounds. 
  • Ability to work at a computer for an extended period of time, with accuracy. 
  • Willingness and capacity to work in an office environment at a workstation, and to come and go repeatedly throughout the day as is necessary, to perform various responsibilities. 
  • Capacity to communicate, in person, or using video, phone, or electronic communication methods, in a manner which can be understood by others. 
  • Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate the work of subordinates. 

 

Travel Requirements: 

  • At present, all visits are virtual due to the pandemic. In the future, U.S. travel may be required to meet with donors and prospects, on an as needed basis   

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