Overview
Cape Eleuthera Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 to support transformational educational experiences with the mission of leadership effecting change on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. The Foundation’s Philadelphia-based team raises funds to help young people realize their potential, explore academics outside of traditional classroom walls, gain perspective on cultures different from their own and make a positive impact on their world. The Foundation is the main grantor of The Island School, which delivers unique educational journeys through the High School Semester and Summer Term, Deep Creek Middle School, Elementary Learning Center, and Community Engagement and Partnerships in conjunction with research and sustainable development work done at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, a research and innovation hub. The Island School reimagines what education is for, and is redesigning how education is delivered.
Job Summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic, organized and entrepreneurial individual to join our small Philadelphia-based team as the Associate Director of Major Gifts. This is a new position reporting to the Director of Development and, in collaboration with the Director of Development and the Foundation’s Executive Director, will create a formal Major Gifts program for the Foundation. The position will be responsible for a portfolio of roughly 150 major gift prospects, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding each of them in the context of an anticipated multi-year comprehensive campaign. The Associate Director will work strategically and collaboratively with the Director of Development, the Foundation’s Executive Director and the Island School Founder to build long-term philanthropic support, and will also be responsible for building an eventual team of approximately two junior Major Gift Officers. Building meaningful relationships with donors and their families, volunteers, and other staff is a key element of this position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Development/Fundraising
- Support our donors to accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through their ongoing relationship with the Foundation and The Island School
- Manage assigned portfolio (approximately 150 individuals) and develop, implement and drive cultivation and solicitation strategies to secure major gifts in the $25,000 - $250,000 range
- Initiate or further relationships through proactive and strategic contact with prospects toward solicitation and closure
- Complete 50-75 meetings per year with donors (by phone, Zoom, or in person)
- Make face-to-face solicitations as appropriate
- Involve additional staff or volunteers as needed
- Support solicitation activities of the Founder, Executive Director, and Director of Development
- Manage prospect tracking and correspondence
- Share information with staff and volunteers as appropriate
- Ensure that Salesforce is up to date with all activity, contact reports, and proposal statuses so that progress towards goals can be tracked and shared through reporting
- Track and monitor progress toward assigned goals
- Collaborate with the Communications Department on recognition of major donors through Annual Report and other opportunities
- Expect frequent travel to key cities throughout the United States and The Bahamas to meet with prospective donors
- Participate in prospect research as necessary
Your background and experience include
- A proven track record of success in initiating contact with prospective donors as well as participating in individual cultivation and solicitation for fundraising campaigns
- The ability to effectively communicate priorities and programs and connect them with philanthropic interests of donors
- Five years of progressive Major Gifts and/or Development experience preferred
Skills and Qualifications
- A university degree and/or an equivalent combination of education
- A valid passport and ability to travel frequently throughout the United States and The Bahamas
- Excellent interpersonal, written communication, and organizational skills
- Strong computer skills and knowledge of social media platforms (Google Suite, Instagram, Facebook, MailChimp)
- Experience with Salesforce preferred
- Flexibility to work well with a diverse group of individuals (alumni, donors, volunteers, faculty, staff, parents, etc.)
- Demonstrated ability to work independently
- Engaging personality with the ability to socialize well with peers and supporters of the organization
- A creative, entrepreneurial spirit
- Patience and perseverance in sustaining existing donor relationships with the School and Foundation, and in stimulating new donor engagement and interest
Compensation
- Salary commensurate with experience
- Medical benefits
- Dental benefits
- Other workplace benefits
Application
Applicants should include the following in their application:
- Cover letter and personal statement
- Current resume
- Three references (to include name, telephone number and email address)
- Submit through our BambooHR portal: https://ceis.bamboohr.com/careers