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Senior Director of Major Gifts

Employer
The Possible Project
Location
Boston, Massachusetts
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Feb 19, 2021

View more

Focus Areas
Education, Science / Technology, Youth Development
Job Function
Development / Fundraising
Position Type
Full Time
Experience Level
Professional

The Possible Project (TPP), a nonprofit organization, seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as its Senior Director of Major Gifts.  The ideal candidate is a development professional passionate about closing the opportunity gap, and with a strong track record of  building relationships with donors to secure  major gifts for mission-driven organizations and initiatives.

ABOUT THE POSSIBLE PROJECT:

The Possible Project (TPP) is a multi-year, youth entrepreneurship program offering students exciting project-based experiences, that includes: 

  • the creation and running of student-directed, passion-based ventures work-based learning opportunities through internships and fellowships  
  • learning about and use of maker equipment and technology, such as laser cutters, 3-D printers and clothing printers/presses
  • personalized college and/or career advising

Throughout their journey, students work with dedicated educators, advisors, and STEAM teachers, earn stipends, design products and services in a state-of-the-art makerspace, attend pitch panels and marketplaces, apply job readiness skills, build identity and social capital and explore the exciting opportunities that exist post-high school.  Students have fun learning, growing and interacting with peers as they design their futures.  

TPP is in its second decade of operations, having served nearly 1000 students in the greater Boston area. The organization employs 30+ professionals with plans to grow significantly in Boston over the next four years, as well as other cities beyond 2025. TPP has a strong professional development ethos, a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture, innovative curriculum and pedagogy, and a commitment to excellence and student impact. TPP is highly committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across organizational culture, practices, and programs. Currently in an expansion mode, TPP plans to open a 35,000 sq ft Boston Innovation Center serving 1000 students a year, launching in September 2021. 

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, the Senior Director of Major Gifts  will lead major donor fundraising to support The Possible Project's work in Boston. The Senior Director of Major Gifts will play a critical role in implementing The Possible Project's development plan to diversify its annual revenue by boosting support from high net worth individuals. The Senior Director of Major Gifts will manage a portfolio of individuals, families, and senior professionals, as well as prospect and cultivate new donors passionate about The Possible Project's mission. The Senior Director's work will be heavily donor facing; direct mail, annual funds and gala fundraising will be less of a focus for this role. 

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

  • Create and employ strategic and tactical approaches to individual and family cultivation and giving
  • Develop new sources of sponsorship thereby expanding the base of sponsors
  • Represent the growth plans of the future, communicating the excitement of this expansion to cultivated audiences via conversations, presentations, Innovation Center specs and drawings, Innovation Center visits and student experiences 
  • Coordinate meetings and development strategies that engage the The Possible Project's leadership teams; write briefings and proposals for prospect meetings and align stakeholders as needed to lead and close significant gifts
  • Manage and track all major donor activity, outlining strategic next steps for each donor
  • Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of The Possible Project's program and funding priorities to effectively connect supporters to funding needs
  • Effectively communicate priorities in face-to-face with donors and in writing to successfully match a donor's philanthropic interest to funding need
  • Collaborate with development staff to share and implement best practices and use of resources
  • Other duties and responsibilities as needed

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Commitment to the mission and culture of TPP 
  • Ability to compellingly convey The Possible Project's mission, impact, and needs across the community in an authentic way that honors our students and their families
  • 7+ years successful fundraising experience strongly preferred; minimum of three years of experience closing gifts at or above $50,000 
  • Ability to thrive in managing a portfolio requiring independent and self-starting skill set
  • Experience contributing to the development of department strategy, with the ability to execute effectively
  • Ability to represent and translate data and technical information including ROI, neurobiology, SEL, statistics and evaluation in a way that resonates across varying audiences
  • Experience with Salesforce (nonprofit success pack) or similar database systems
  • Ability to build strong, long-term relationships with donors and prospects; strong listening skills, and ability to converse with donors and prospects in a thoughtful, engaged manner
  • Possess strong professional communication, presentation, follow-through and team skills 
  • Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with a solutions-oriented approach to addressing challenges
  • Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including strong editing skills and a high attention to detail
  • Possess the highest integrity in dealing with colleagues, sponsors and students  
  • High energy, dynamic, positive personality
  • Commitment to live the values of Diversity, Equity and inclusion (see Statement below)
  • Prioritize the needs, success and well-being of students, our reason for being

 

DEI Statement:

We believe every member of our team and student body deserves opportunities for growth, success and inclusion. We recognize that for many of our students, staff and communities, their life journeys run through oppressive structures and systems (e.g. classism, racism, sexism) — and that’s what makes our organizational culture and work so necessary and important.

 

We believe that diversity in perspective, backgrounds, ethnicities and lived experience is a strength, and from that strength, we can accomplish great things with the students we serve. Together as students, staff, organizations, communities, volunteers, and partners, we are intentional about creating safe spaces where all members can speak authentically and be themselves.

 

We are committed to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. As members of The Possible Project community, our progression along this ongoing journey raises thoughtful questions, reveals biases, and opens conversations. We celebrate one another and are unified in our commitment to young people, excellence, and innovation. This work is our shared responsibility and our opportunity to welcome all members who share in our mission and strive to provide pathways that further prepare students in achieving their desired success.

 

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