Job

Director of Individual Giving

Discovery Place

Charlotte, NC 28202

Deadline

Jul 07, 2023

Posted

Jun 01, 2023

MISSION

Discovery Place (DP) brings science, nature, and design together to create transformative experiences that enable our community to understand, enjoy and apply science to their lives. Operating four museums in the greater Charlotte, NC metropolitan area, the institution, with an annual operating budget of $18M, serves more than 750,000 people a year through Museum visits, interactive in-school educational programming and community outreach initiatives. Founded in 1946, Discovery Place is shaping a future where people embrace science to create opportunities, build hope, solve problems and bring positive change for our world. Come science with us!

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a seasoned and highly strategic fundraiser to lead our individual giving initiatives. The Director of Individual Giving will take a leadership role in DP’s Advancement Team (currently 16 FT/1 PT) to grow relationships with individual donors - from cultivation to stewardship - while leveraging our mission and brand to sustain and increase funding from this constituency. This person will work interdepartmentally across DP to achieve our annual and long-range individual giving goals, effecting a significant impact at a beloved and thriving cultural institution.

Duties will include performing direct one-on-one individual solicitations for annual operations of $1,500 - $25,000, implementing strategies for raising annual funds in alignment with DP’’s strategic plan, including developing persuasive appeals and acquisition materials, conceiving of impactful donor engagement events, managing a stewardship program and gift acknowledgement process, and generating research, data reports, and strategy briefings. Opportunities for growth include recruiting and engaging a new position, the Manager, Individual Giving, who in turn will manage annual fund donors $1,499 and below, with the potential for further growing and building the Individual Giving team; building the architecture for DP’s first major gifts program; hands-on experience in the private phase of a capital campaign moving towards a public announcement.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000

All regular, full-time employees, eligible part-time employees, and their eligible dependents or domestic partner qualify for group medical insurance. Other benefits include employer-paid life insurance, retirement plan, long/short term disability, and personal/FMLA leave. Discovery Place is pleased to offer hybrid work arrangements to eligible full and part time employees.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead individual giving program for the organization at-large as well as each Museum – Discovery Place Science, Discovery Place Nature, Discovery Place Kids Huntersville, Discovery Place Kids Rockingham
In consultation with the Senior Director of Development, set, monitor, and meet annual dollar and number goals for individual giving
Manage the annual fund leadership donor portfolio (the Prism Society $1,500 - $50,000) serving as the chief liaison to these donors; develop strategies and execute on tactics to increase support; identify potential members to cultivate and solicit
Conceive of and execute high-end donor events that will increase engagement, motivate increased giving and ensure fulfillment of donor benefits (Director of Events will assist in execution of these events.)
Institute methodologies for building the donor pipeline within the individual giving donor team; train staff to identify and cultivate current members who are potential leadership donors
Engage volunteers in the cultivation and stewardship of prospects and donors
Manage donor stewardship including the accurate and proper recognition of donors on signage, the website, and in publications
Develop the strategy and oversee the implementation of annual fundraising drives (targeted at gifts $1,000 and under)
Ensure accurate donor records are maintained to generate in-depth analysis and monthly/weekly reports
Draft donor strategy briefings with research and accurate data reports for Sr Director of Development, CAO, CEO, and Board.
Write individual donor spotlight stories for website, newsletters, and annual report
Represent Discovery Place at institutional and community events
Participate in staff meetings and other vital administrative, promotional, and organization-related meetings and activities
Other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Development and Chief Advancement Officer

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Energetic development professional with great relationship-building skills who can team with colleagues to deliver a unique and attractive individual giving program
Experience working with high net-worth individuals and volunteers
Commitment to and enthusiasm for Discovery Place’s mission
Ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with great attention to detail
Ability to work as a team member in a results-oriented environment
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Ability to analyze data and utilize the information to inform decision-making
Knowledge of history and trends within the cultural non-profit sector as well as philanthropy at-large and the ability to effectively share this knowledge with teammates
Proficiency in Altru (Blackbaud) or Salesforce or similar fundraising database
Some nights and weekends will be required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to candidates with experience working in development at a medium to large cultural institution with a member or subscriber base
5-7 years-experience as an Annual Fund and/or individual giving fundraiser
Bachelor’s degree

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to lift boxes up to 20 lbs.
Must be able to drive to off-site meetings and DP site locations.

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