Director of Philanthropy
Our Mission
We are educators and advocates. We are a multi-racial, intergenerational, LGBTQ+ organization working nationally and locally to transform K–12 educational systems and democracy in the US.
GLSEN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. We believe that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike.
The Challenge
GLSEN seeks an exceptional, results-oriented Director of Philanthropy to build upon its dynamic individual and major donor program and to support the organization's growing momentum. This newly created position will oversee the department that manages major gift, planned giving, individual giving, direct and digital marketing, matching gifts and workplace giving campaigns. This position will build the structure to grow the major gifts pipeline, build upon our existing and successful planning giving program, and coach the team through this transition. The Director will currently manage a team of one while building out the team to consist of 5 staff partners in the next two years. They will manage a portfolio of prospects with high gift capacity and ensure that major and planned giving donors have a meaningful and delightful philanthropic experience. The Director of Philanthropy, in collaboration with GLSENs Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director for Development, will play a significant role in campaign strategy, pipeline development, and solicitation.
Primary Function
The Director of Philanthropy is responsible for the overall management of GLSENs major and individuals giving program and will lead by utilizing best practices for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors. The Director will be responsible for providing guidance, oversight, and strategic direction to staff overseeing major gifts, individual donors, digital and direct marketing, special campaigns and research in order to achieve fundraising objectives and goals.
Reporting Relationships and Volunteer Support
The Director of Philanthropy reports directly to the Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Development. This position will work with the DED to strengthen current fundraising strategies, set strategic goals, and train and develop staff.
Working alongside the Directors of Development, Communication, Education and Youth Programs, Research, Policy, Field Services, and Operations, this Director is a key member of GLSEN’s management team, assisting by providing the leadership and management of the organization.
Responsibilities
- Build and direct the vision for the major gifts program, including strategy, tactics, and metrics for success.
- In partnership with the Deputy Executive Director for Development, set budget and goals for the Philanthropy department; develop strategy to meet objectives; adapt and pivot strategy when needed.
- Sustain and grow existing portfolio of major gifts to ensure organizational sustainability.
- Ensure quality tailored stewardship of major donors of all levels, establishing goals and timelines with staff.
- Develop a strong prospecting strategy to ensure sustainability and growth in the major gifts portfolio, including overseeing quality prospect research, leading on outreach, and leading donor meetings.
- Liaise with and manage up to Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director for Development to execute major gifts outreach and strategies.
- Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards a portfolio of major donors and prospects.
- Manage, mentor, and coach Philanthropy staff in line with GLSEN’s values and performance management standards to ensure relevant key performance indicators are met; identify and support areas for professional development and advise and direct fundraising consultants.
- Continuously evaluate and innovate on major gifts fundraising strategies and tactics; support fundraising literacy across the organization.
- Conducts 10-12 visits/calls with prospects and donors per month, and initiates at least 15 strategic solicitations per year.
- Segment and communicate with donors, across their giving journey, to amplify our work and drive revenue.
- Leverages programs and special events as individual cultivation and engagement tools.
- Develops and executives, in partnership with Director of Events and Experiences, cultivation opportunities for prospective and existing donors.
- Ensure Philanthropy team is capturing relevant donor, prospect, and moves management information in Salesforce.
- Ability to travel up to 10–15% of the time, including overnight travel and occasional weekends.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:
- 8+ years of professional fundraising experience identifying, cultivating and soliciting a major gift portfolio with a clear record of achievement in a complex, mission-driven organization.
- Demonstrated success in personally supporting senior leaders in cultivating, soliciting and closing philanthropic gifts in the range of 5- to 7-figures.
- The intellectual depth, entrepreneurial drive, maturity, self-confidence, interpersonal skills, and warmth to build and maintain relationships with people at all levels of the organization, across a diverse range of educational and social backgrounds.
- Strong contributor within team environments and a driver of organizational culture; leverages input of stakeholders in order to move work forward.
- Excellent communication skills—both oral and written—with an ability to inspire others to support GLSEN and become fundraising agents for its mission.
- Proven analytical and strategic skills, with experience creating strategic fundraising plans and objectives, and the detail orientation and follow-through to implement those plans.
- Proven ability to build a cohesive, high-performing staff and work teams and to develop the skills and nurture the professional growth of staff members.
- Knowledge of national LGBTQ+, education, civil rights and other relevant funding communities.
- You care about LGBTQ+ youth. You care about changing and saving lives. You want to come to work (physically and virtually) and feel inspired every day and you want to inspire others. You want to change the world for all youth in our K–12 education system.
- You like to have fun. The work we do is very serious and extremely impactful, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun. We know how to have a good time and you should too.
- An appreciation for the mission and growth aspirations of GLSEN.
- Familiarity with Salesforce, Raisers Edge/NXT, Box, Microsoft Power BI, and Fundraise Up
This position is located in GLSEN’s New York City headquarters; position is primarily remote. For more information see GLSEN's website at www.glsen.org.
To apply, please submit your resume and letter of interest to: careers@glsen.org.
Compensation up to $125K.
GLSEN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage people of color, of diverse gender identities, women and non-LGBTQ+ persons to apply.
