Advancement Associate, Philanthropy

Job Description

Job Description

About the School

Georgetown Day School opened its doors in 1945 as the first integrated school in a segregated city. Governed by a Board of Trustees elected by the parent body and administered by an appointed Head of School, it was founded by seven families who wanted to create a school committed not only to academic excellence and educational innovation but also to a value system emphasizing appreciation and respect for others. Believing that diversity was the ground out of which all deep and rich learning occurs, they established a school where all children would be welcome, celebrated, and challenged to be their best selves.

Today, the School's philosophy, programs, and position in the national educational landscape strongly reflect its roots. Having grown from 12 children in 1945 to 1075 students in PK-12 today, GDS is recognized as one of Washington, D.C.’s and the nation’s most dynamic educational institutions.

Since the school’s founding, GDS has called eight different locations home. In the fall of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools were all joined on one extraordinary campus.

About the Position

DEPARTMENT : Advancement

REPORTS TO : Deputy Chief Advancement Officer

SUPERVISES : N / A

FLSA : Non-exempt

TYPE OF ROLE : Full-time

COMPENSATION : $60,000 - 75,000 annually

BENEFITS : Eligible

Note : Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Georgetown Day School seeks an enthusiastic relationship manager to join our Advancement team. The selected individual will be an integral member of the Advancement team, partnering to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward constituents for the purpose of philanthropic support to Georgetown Day School.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

In consultation with the Deputy CAO and Chief Advancement Officer, develop and manage a strategic plan for major gift prospect management that is in alignment with institutional funding priorities

Actively manage a dynamic portfolio of 100 prospects and constituents, which may include current parents and grandparents, and have a special focus on alumni and parents of alumni.

Conduct 80 or more prospect meetings per year to advance donor relationships

Actively collaborate with colleagues to ensure a holistic donor-centered approach and advance prospect relationship development

Identify giving prospects and develop individual donor strategies, along with materials, to deepen philanthropic partnerships

Craft cultivation and stewardship correspondence to renew major donor gifts; create and implement moves management plans

Collaborate with senior relationship managers and Advancement Operations team to accurately project revenue and track progress towards goals and produce internal and external reports regarding projects and achieved goals

Maintain a high level of professional knowledge and proficiency regarding fundraising best practices

Engage members of the GDS community

Grow a comprehensive stewardship program for donors

Create and direct a robust stewardship program and stewardship materials

Draft gift acknowledgement templates and shepherd acknowledgment process for leadership gifts

Coordinate stewardship of special and endowed fund donors, including :

Gathering stories and data necessary to convey the impact of the donors’ support

Providing timely, personalized, and professional stewardship reports

When appropriate, connecting donors with beneficiaries of their support

Manage inventory of named spaces and donor recognition plaques

Support donor recognition, engagement, and stewardship events and activities

Coordinate the production of the Impact Report and, when appropriate, Campaign report(s)

Ensure philanthropic impact stories are shared in communications vehicles in order to honor donors, celebrate philanthropy, and inspire future giving

Ensure effective tracking of stewardship activity

Prepare briefings in preparation for stewardship events and individual stewardship meetings

Assist in supporting a comprehensive recognition and stewardship program for donors at all levels

Support the execution of special events designed to support engagement, stewardship, and fundraising initiatives

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

As a member of the Advancement team, represent the team at school and community events, including some nights and weekends.

Additional duties outside this description may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree

2+ years of relevant experience in education advancement preferred

2+ years of demonstrated success managing donors and prospects through effective relationship management strategies

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all constituents including : trustees, administration, faculty / staff, parents, alumni, and students

Skills

Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills

Ability to handle challenging situations diplomatically and maintain collaborative working relationships with colleagues, senior-level leadership, and trustee volunteers

Ability to maintain confidentiality, act with discretion, and maintain a high level of performance under pressure

Ability to organize, prioritize, and successfully execute multiple concurrent tasks; to anticipate needs and act accordingly, and to perform with a high degree of initiative

Fluency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Workspace, PowerPoint, and Raiser’s Edge

Availability to periodically work outside of the normal schedule for early morning meetings, evening engagements, and occasional weekend obligations

Americans with Disability Specifications

Physical Demands :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment :

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and list of three references using our online application system through ADP / Workforce Now : http : / / www.gds.org / Recruiting. To find out more about the school, candidates should visit our website at www.gds.org. For full-time, permanent roles, a summary of employee benefits are available on the GDS website : https : / / www.gds.org / about / careers -at-gds

As an inclusive school devoted to preparing our students to live, work, and lead in an increasingly globalized and multicultural society, GDS is particularly interested in professionals with demonstrated interest and experience in working in such a school setting and is driven by the core charge of working to enhance and bring joy to every student’s individual learning experience in equitable and meaningful ways.