Associate Director of Development, Planned and Major Gifts

The Folger Shakespeare Library knows that an exceptional staff
is the backbone of any great organization. We hire exceptionally
qualified individuals who are committed to the mission, vision, and
values of our organization. Our recruitment process strives to be
interactive, accessible, and responsive. Once employed, the Folger
provides a generous compensation, leave, and benefits package, as
well as many opportunities for personal and professional
growth.

 

 

Job Description:

 

 

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC is seeking an
experienced development professional to join our team as the
Associate Director of Development, Major and Planned Gifts
(AD-MPG). This role, reporting to the Director of Development, will
build, manage, and provide strategic direction for the Folger’s
major gift fundraising programs. They will identify prospects,
steward current donors and solicit major gifts, in face-to-face
meetings, and in writing, sometimes accompanied by Senior
Directors.  The Associate Director of Major and Planned Gifts
will support the Director of Development with board development and
high-level major donor strategy including cultivating and providing
stewardship for individual major donors.  

 

The ideal candidate will be a strategic leader with the ability
to envision, implement, and steward a thoughtful approach to
prospect development and process improvement to support the growth
of the Development team at the Folger. They will have a proven
record as an experienced fundraising specialist and must be an
initiative-taker with superior written and oral communication
skills, the ability to solve complex problems, and have a passion
for philanthropy. This individual will be a part of the Development
department’s senior team supporting other leaders by fostering a
culture of philanthropy to ensure that fund development is executed
in keeping with the values, mission, and strategic directions of
the Folger Shakespeare Library, working with the Director of
Development to establish a balanced mix of donor sources and
fundraising programs to attract and retain donors and fundraising
volunteers.  

 

The standard schedule for this role is Monday-Friday,
8:45am-4:45pm, which is a 35-hour workweek. Frequent evening and
weekend hours will be required for special programs. This position
is currently hybrid with ~3 days on-site per week. The selected
candidate will need to be within a commutable distance to the D.C.
office (DC, MD, VA) by their start date. 

 

Health & safety: The health and well-being of all staff,
contractors, and visitors is our top priority. While the Folger no
longer requires masks or vaccinations (except for AEA spaces), we
support and encourage individuals to take the safety precautions
they are most comfortable with, and we ask that individual choices
are respected. Folger offers organization-funded healthcare plans
for full-time staff and extensive leave options to all staff in
case of any health issues that arise.  

 

Compensation:   

• This is a monthly-paid salary position, with an annual rate of
  $90,000-105,000.  

• Total compensation includes an extensive benefits plan,
  including a generous 403(b) contribution and match, outlined
  at https://www.folger.edu/about-us/careers-and-volunteering/#employee-benefits”
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 Supervisory Duties: The Associate
Director of Development, Major and Planned Gifts will supervise the
Development Specialist for Major and Planned Gifts. They will
periodically supervise the work of other development staff members
on projects.  

  

Summary of Duties:   

The Associate Director of Development, Major and Planned Gifts
(AD-MPG) will play a key role in the execution of Folger’s short
and long-range strategic plans for financial sustainability. They
are responsible for leading and executing the organization’s major
gifts program, focusing on securing substantial donations from
high-net-worth individuals. The role involves strategic planning,
relationship building, and effective communication to engage and
solicit support from potential major donors. As a member of the
department’s management, this individual will lead a team of
advancing development professionals and will interface with both
internal and external constituents with a focus on providing
leadership and training in best practices 

 

Major Gifts:   

• Builds, manages, and provides strategic direction for Folger’s
  major gift fundraising, an area of significant growth in the short
  and long term. Works with the Director of Development in
  establishing annual and long-range fundraising goals. 

• Assists the Director of Development in increasing individual
  Board gifts and identifies high-potential among current Board
  members.  Works with the Director of Development in developing
  a strategy to increase Board membership by determining nominating
  criteria, and researching, identifying, and submitting lists of
  prospective Board nominees to the Board’s Nominating
  Committee.     

• Plays a central role in major donor prospect meetings. With the
  Director of Development Operations, identifies, research, and plans
  paths for engagement of new prospects for leadership and major
  gifts, board prospects, and current major donors and board
  members.  Works with the Director of Development Operations to
  track and regularly provides analysis of the progress and
  performance of major giving and planned
  giving.   

• Manages a portfolio of 100-150 donors and prospects at the
  $15,000+ level. Identifies, researches, cultivates, solicits, and
  stewards gifts at this level and above. Regularly communicates with
  all donors/prospects in portfolio, focusing on discovery and
  cultivation of individuals with the capacity and affinity to give
  at this level and above.   

• Coordinates with other development team members to ensure
  relationships with these donors/prospects are advancing and that we
  have fully identified their potential to give.  

• Portfolio may include specific giving initiatives or membership
  groups.  

• Oversees and improves endowed fund reporting.  

• With the Director of Development, Director of Development
  Operations, and special events staff, serves as a staff liaison for
  the Folger’s annual gala and its volunteer fundraising
  committee.  

• Identifies prospective table sponsors and ticket buyers for
  solicitation by staff or committee members.   

• Oversees development specialists and associated in drafting and
  sending requests to individual prospects for gala sponsorships and
  tickets. Maintaining the gala website, and sending gift
  acknowledgement.  

• Ensures benefits are fulfilled.  

• Supports Board Members with their hosted events on Folger’s
  behalf as assigned.   

• Assists Board members with list creation, invitation design,
  tracking RSVPs coordinating caterers and other vendors, and
  follow-up tasks, as needed, and manages tasks that may be executed
  by or assigned to other development team
  members.   

• Supports events as needed.  Prepares and briefs Board
  members and Senior Directors on their tasks at the event. 
  Creates a follow-up plan for every attendee.  

• Oversees Development Specialists work, including: conducting
  research and wealth screenings; gift entry and gift
  acknowledgement, creation of donor profiles and briefings, and
  tracking donor moves and relationships.   

• Guides, trains, and mentors the Development Specialist in
  planned and major giving activities. Ensures specialist is involved
  in donor meetings and events, as appropriate, and given
  opportunities to grow their skills.   

• Works at major development events, including Acquisitions Night,
  the Renaissance Circles program and dinner, theater and exhibition
  openings, Member Appreciation Weekend, and other events as
  needed.  With Director of Development, assigns
  donor-cultivation tasks to Senior Directors and Board members
  before events, and after events, coordinates follow up with these
  leaders and the donors and prospects they engaged.  

 

Planned Giving 

 

• Collaborates closely with the Director of Development and
  Director of Development Operations to implement short-and long-term
  planned giving goals and strategies to build upon existing
  commitments and expand the current donor base. 

• Manages the Folger’s planned giving program and serves as the
  direct liaison with planned giving counsel, as
  relevant.   Fulfills benefits for First Folio Society
  members.  Works closely with the Senior Development leadership
  to identify opportunities with annual giving appeals to market
  planned giving. Oversees development team members in coordinating
  the development and maintenance of web page for the planned giving
  programs. 

• Provides expertise in structuring complex gifts and
  collaborating with colleagues to close new planned gift intentions
  and manage multi-channel marketing and communications efforts to
  promote planned giving and works closely with Director of
  Development Operations to create a robust pipeline of donors and
  prospects.   

• Oversees effective handling and processing of estate gift
  administration to ensure appropriate stewardship and closure of
  realized gifts and respond to donor inquiries with appropriate
  information on bequests, life income gifts and other gift planning
  vehicles.   

• Cultivates relationships with attorneys, trust officers,
  accountants, financial planners, and other estate planning
  professionals regarding gift opportunities for clients and provide
  material for their use, exchange up-to-date information on current
  best practices, request help in obtaining referrals and discuss
  donor interests.   

 

Education and Experience:   

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
  required.   

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible development
  experience is necessary, preferably in a cultural, academic or
  non-profit institution.   

• 4+ years of management experience required. Significant
  expertise in major gift programs.  

• Demonstrated record of conceiving and implementing fundraising
  strategies to successfully raise funds from individuals. 

• Experience researching and tracking major donor prospects and
  developing strategies to increase funding. 

• Temperament suitable for working in what can be a fast-paced,
  deadline-driven environment.  

• Exceptional recognition of ethical and legal requirements for
  confidentiality in handling of sensitive information and
  situations. 

 

Skills and
Knowledge:     

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
  required.  

• Must possess excellent organizational and time management skills
  to manage multiple activities in a fast-paced and deadline-driven
  environment. 

• Ability to perform well both with independent initiative and as
  part of a closely woven development team.   

• Ability to motivate and nurture growth and foster independence
  and collaboration as a staff supervisor and mentor.  

• Has a customer service-oriented mindset with a propensity to
  work with the public and relate effectively with a diverse donor
  population. 

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suit-Word, Excel, and Outlook is
  required  

• Knowledge of Tessitura, Wealth Engine, Magnet Mail, and HTML is
  highly desirable. 

• Must be skilled in facilitating face-to-face solicitation as
  well as writing persuasive appeals.   

• Ability to effectively work with volunteer leadership and senior
  staff, involving them, as appropriate, in the cultivation and
  solicitation process is essential.  

• Ability to work under pressure managing multiple priorities and
  to meet multiple deadlines 

• A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey the Folger’s
  mission with genuine passion, and the willingness to continually
  learn about the programs and mission. 

 

Working Conditions/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.      

• The 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).           

• 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. 

 

Interested individuals should submit their cover letter and
resume. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. No phone calls
please.

 

The Folger is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

To learn more about our benefits, please click here.