Director of Annual Giving
The Williston Northampton School, Easthampton, MA
The Williston Northampton School, an independent, co-educational boarding school located in Easthampton, MA, seeks a full-time calendar-year Director of Annual Giving. This is an in person, on campus position. The Director of Annual Giving is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to secure annual unrestricted operating support, with a goal of $2.8M for FY25. This role involves leading efforts in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts from alumni, parents, trustees, and other school constituents. The director will manage a multi-channel approach to fundraising, utilizing personal solicitations, direct mail, email, texting, social media, and volunteer engagement, with a focus on growing leadership gifts and increasing alumni donors.
The Director of Annual Giving will collaborate closely with the Director of Advancement, Chief Advancement Officer, gift officers, and volunteers to increase leadership giving levels. The role includes managing a portfolio of major gift and annual fund leadership prospects, as well as overseeing the Assistant Director for Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement. Additionally, the director will recruit and manage volunteers, including the Williston Northampton Fund Co-Chairs, and use data-driven strategies to inform decisions and evaluate the effectiveness of annual giving efforts.
Qualified candidates should have a bachelor’s degree and five-plus years of experience in development and/or annual giving for education. Familiarity with independent schools is a plus. Candidates should be strategic thinkers with a passion for philanthropy, possess excellent communication and organizational skills, be collaborative, and have the ability to inspire and manage volunteers. Experience in solicitation, stewardship, and using data analytics to guide fundraising strategies is essential.
Candidates must have the ability to work in a school environment by successfully completing all legally required background checks, including CORI, SORI, and a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Full job description available. Full benefit and retirement plan eligibility.
Qualified and interested candidates should submit inquiries, including a cover letter, current resume, and contact information for three references to Ellie Ballard, Director of Advancement, through the link provided. Non-smoking campus. EOE.