The Chapter Philanthropy Advisor will play a vital role working in partnership with select chapters to elevate individual giving at the major gift level. This position will dedicate 100% of their time to helping chapters achieve fundraising success by acting as an extension of the chapter’s team including: influencing top donor strategy, personally soliciting donors, developing and implementing fundraising processes, portfolio moves management, etc. This position is part team member, coach and accountability task master. Working collaboratively with national teams – Development, Chapter Support, Brand and Corporate Alliances – as appropriate, is essential for success in achieving assigned revenue goals. The Chapter Philanthropy Advisor will track progress and be responsible for a revenue goal with each chapter. Anticipated travel is a targeted 24 trips/year. In the first year, this position will work with 3-5 chapters.
- Build trust and credibility with select chapters with the goal of increasing individual major gifts (to the chapter) to accomplish revenue goal.
- Develop a clear and comprehensive plan to include: donor strategy, pipeline development, moves/portfolio management, actions and accountability practices together with each chapter to drive results toward identified revenue goal.
- Gain insight into chapter top donor needs, identify ways to help, deliver solutions and work as an extension of chapter’s team to accomplish agreed upon strategy and revenue goals.
- Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors through the giving cycle in partnership with chapters.
- Provide guidance and coaching surrounding donor-centered major donor strategies together with chapter leadership – staff and board.
- Establish clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring progress and measuring results.
- Collaborate extensively with Chapter Support team to ensure clarity and alignment around fundraising assessments, grants and overall “Every Eligible Child” strategic plan for revenue expansion.
- Manage “up” (Director of Principal Giving, Chapter Executives, Chapter Support Directors, etc.) in a way that prepares everyone for short and long term goals.
- Help chapters connect to appropriate national resources and initiatives to expand revenue goals.
- Record and track donor activity in donor database (RE).
Knowledge and Abilities:
- Proven track record of readily taking action, managing and making sense of complex challenges, determining a collaborative solution and implementation.
- Ability to apply knowledge of best major giving fundraising strategies and practices to advance the goals of Make-A-Wish.
- Capacity to relate openly, comfortably and build report with people across levels, functions, cultures and geographies – especially chapter executives, staff, donors and board members.
- Ability to create buy-in and facilitate strategic discussions around donor movement.
- Anticipates and balances needs of multiple stakeholders.
- Demonstrates self-awareness, proactively seeks feedback to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses while keeping donor strategy top of mind.
- Displays confident, credible, strategic fundraising practices and presents them in a professional manner.
- Ability to adapt to situations and gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity and authenticity.
- Manages ambiguous situations and changing environments in a proactive way.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in Fundraising – specifically soliciting/closing major gifts required.
- Minimum of 2-4 years in a consultative/coaching/strategy role preferred.
- Strong management experience and interpersonal skills with volunteers, donors, and executive team members.
- Experience with Raiser’s Edge or other fundraising databases.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and computer skills required.
Working Conditions:
- Travel required - target of 24 trips/year.
- May require work outside a traditional Monday-Friday work week, and outside normal business hours.
- Open to employee working remotely.