The Director of Individual Giving plays a pivotal role in advancing the fundraising efforts of Lafayette College. The position reports the Associate Vice President for Individual Giving in a team-oriented environment. This position will manage a team of Individual Giving Officers with regionally based prospect pools across the country. This position is also responsible for developing and implementing strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors in support of the institution’s priorities. The Director will lead a comprehensive individual giving program, working closely with colleagues across the institution to engage donors and secure philanthropic support.This officer will be part of the team to expand and administer a comprehensive Major Gift program that includes complex outright and deferred gifts which will require a strong partnership with the Director of Gift Planning. He/she will possess exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with major gifts prospects, fundraising colleagues, academic leaders, faculty, alumni, and volunteers
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategy Development:
● In coordination with the Associate Vice President for Individual Giving, develop and execute a strategic plan for individual giving that aligns with the institution’s fundraising priorities and overall advancement goals.
● Identify opportunities for donor engagement and create tailored strategies to cultivate and solicit major gifts from individuals.
2. Donor Cultivation and Solicitation:
● Build and maintain relationships with a portfolio of individual donors with a giving capacity of $100,000+, including alumni, parents, friends, and other key stakeholders.
● Personally solicit major gifts from individuals, including annual fund contributions, planned gifts, and multi-year commitments.
● Collaborate with institutional leadership, academic departments, and programmatic areas to identify funding priorities and match donor interests with institutional needs.
3. Prospect Research and Pipeline Management:
● Conduct prospect research to identify new individual giving opportunities and assess donor capacity and inclination.
● Manage a portfolio of 150 – 200 prospects, developing cultivation and solicitation strategies to move donors through the giving pipeline.
● Utilize data analytics and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of individual giving efforts and adjust strategies as needed.
4. Donor Stewardship and Recognition:
● Implement stewardship strategies to recognize and acknowledge the generosity of individual donors, ensuring a high level of donor satisfaction and engagement.
● Work collaboratively with advancement services to ensure accurate gift processing, acknowledgment, and donor recognition.
● Develop and oversee the implementation of personalized stewardship plans for major donors, including donor recognition events, impact reports, and other communications.
5. Team Leadership and Collaboration:
● Provide leadership and direction to the individual giving team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
● Collaborate with colleagues in annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and alumni relations to coordinate fundraising efforts and maximize donor engagement.
● Serve as a key member of the advancement leadership team, contributing to the overall strategic direction and success of the advancement program.
Qualifications:
● Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
● Minimum of five years of experience in fundraising or related field, with a proven track record of success in individual giving.
● Demonstrated experience in personally soliciting and closing major gifts from individuals.
● Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with diverse constituencies, including donors, volunteers, and institutional leaders.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate the case for support and engage donors effectively.
● Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute complex fundraising strategies.
● Experience managing staff and leading teams, with a commitment to professional development and mentorship.
● Knowledge of fundraising principles, best practices, and ethical standards, particularly in the context of higher education.
● Familiarity with fundraising databases and prospect management systems.
Please provide a cover letter, resume and contact information for three references. https://apply.interfolio.com/169393
Lafayette College is committed to creating a diverse community: one that is inclusive and responsive, and is supportive of each and all of its faculty, students, and staff. The College seeks to promote diversity in its many manifestations. These include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and place of origin. All members of the College community share a responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced.