Careers

GENERAL SUMMARY
The Director of Parent Giving, reporting directly to the Director of Development, will oversee all aspects of parent giving at Thayer Academy. They will work with parent volunteers to build parent engagement, raise Annual Fund support as well as capital and restricted money from current parents, past parents as well as grandparents. The Director will oversee both the Senior and Middle School Legacy programs as well as coordinate volunteers for parent giving initiatives for each class. Working closely with the Director of Development and the Campaign Director, the Director of Parent Giving will ensure that we are maximizing parent giving and will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of individuals capable of making gifts of $5,000 and above to support the mission of Thayer Academy. This person will create strategies for existing supporters, as well as new prospects to move them along the continuum of giving to achieve annual financial goals.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The Director of Parent Giving will develop strategies to best engage current parents, former parents and grandparents to maximize giving potential from each of these major constituencies.
• Working closely with The Thayer Academy Parents Association (TAPA) and the Director of Special Events, Stewardship & Parent Programming, the Director will build a class-giving program for each class of parents with students currently enrolled at Thayer. With a goal of building stronger participation (75%) and higher Annual Fund giving ($1M) in FY19. from parents.
• Develop a portfolio of prospects with a goal of carrying 150 prospects annually.
• Cultivate, solicit and steward prospects for General’s Council level Annual Fund gifts of $1,877 and above and Campaign gifts of $25,000 and above. With a goal of closing $500,000 in gifts for FY19 and $1,000,000 for FY20.
• Strategize with faculty, senior leadership and fellow development staff on the appropriate engagement of prospects.
• Participate in TAPA meetings, as well as Campaign Steering Committee meetings.
• Strategize ways to engage key prospects, particularly those with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or more.
• Participate in cultivation and stewardship events, including possible travel events and General’s Council events.
• Steward donor relationships so that donors feel highly appreciated by Thayer Academy.
• Prioritize work to have primary focus on face-to- face meetings and solicitations with current and prospective donors.
• Research new parents each year to identify potential donors.
• Coordinate with development staff to develop best strategies for growing the pipeline of prospects.
• Identify organizational needs, innovations and other funding opportunities that would appeal to appropriate donors.
• Responsible for data integrity in Raiser’s Edge donor files including updating all personal information, keeping actions and proposals up to date and ensuring all notable information is recorded.
• Work with the gift processing team to ensure integrity of donor files, records, tracking, pledge reminders and communication.
• Attend and assist with all Development Special Events (occasionally on weekends or evenings).

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 3-5 years of a proven track record in major gifts fundraising relationship building for a non-profit.
• Proven ability to identify, cultivate and solicit major gifts ($50,000 and above).
• Work earnestly in a team environment, and possess the ability to give and receive feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to use good judgment to handle confidential information sensitively.
• Natural ability to establish rapport with donors and the parent/grandparent community.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Working knowledge of The Raiser’s Edge software, Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, preferred.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Superb written and oral communication skills are essential.
• The ability to communicate to diverse constituencies in an effective and compelling manner.
• The ability to build successful professional relationships with faculty and staff.
• Mature professional judgment.
• Analytical thinking capacity.
• Ability to work independently in a self-directed manner and in collaboration with others.
• Superior follow-through and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational capabilities.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Unflinching integrity seasoned with humor, perspective and curiosity.

Interested candidates should email a resume and cover letter to Melissa Tuthill Forger '92, P '25 at mforger@thayer.org.