New York, NY (can work remotely)

Director of Philanthropy, Compassion & Choices

The Organization

Compassion & Choices works nationally to improve care and expand choice at the end of life. Compassion & Choices envisions a society where everyone receives state-of-the-art care at the end of life, and a full range of choices for dying in comfort, dignity and control. We engage our mission through three main pillars of service: end-of-life consultation, educational programs, and legislative/legal advocacy. Compassion & Choices is leading the way nationwide in our efforts to make medical aid in dying a legal and acceptable option for terminally-ill, mentally competent adults.  We are taking a multi-prong approach–legislation, litigation, and ballot initiative—to assure that we bring end-of-life options to everyone.

Position Overview

The Director of Philanthropy position is responsible for the management and oversight of the major and principal gifts program for the organization.  This position will work with gift officers to oversee the identification, cultivation and solicitation of major and principal gifts (gift of $10,000 and above).  This position will manage three full-time Philanthropy Gift Officers based across the country.  This position will also have a portfolio  of donors  in the northeast and will be responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting five and six figure gifts  with an emphasis on the New York tri-state area.  The ideal candidate must have a track record of soliciting and closing major and principal gifts, an understanding of moves management and demonstrated experience developing long term philanthropic relationships while consistently meeting fundraising goals.  Experience managing staff is required.

This is a full-time, remotely-located, paid position reporting to the Chief Development Officer. Compensation offered will be commensurate with experience.

We offer excellent benefits including employer-shared medical and dental insurance premiums, employer-paid short- and long-term disability, life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance, flexible spending account for medical and child care, commuter pre-tax benefit, eligibility to participate in 401K with generous 5% employer match and 100% vested at time of eligibility, 11 paid holidays, 17 PTO days first year, and floating holidays.

Primarily, the person in this position:

  • Manage a portfolio of approximately 70-80 current donors utilizing moves management to renew and increase giving.
  • Work with the chief development officer, program staff and other leadership to begin and maintain a fast pace of cultivating and soliciting gifts from current and prospective donors both of their own and working with gift officers to ensure the renewal and upgrade of all major and principal gifts. .
  • Work with organizational leadership and current supporters to identify new prospects in the northeast capable of making major or principal gifts.
  • Coordinate and manage  local events and activities that engage current and prospective donors.
  • Collaborate with the program team on overall fundraising opportunities within the region.
  • Manage three regional Philanthropy Officers responsible for closing major and principal gifts across the country.
  • Track and ensure the effective cultivation and renewal of all major and principal  gifts.
  • Manage and ensure the proper cultivation and process for qualifying and disqualifying prospective major donors.
  • Develop short term and long term goals to grow the major gift program that motivates donors to give and increase their giving over time.

The candidate will contribute by employing and role-modeling key processes and programs that support an office-wide emphasis on collaborations, efficiencies and metrics/performance based outcomes.

Education and Experience:

  • B.A. in Business, Marketing, Communications or Non-Profit Management– or an equivalency of related experience and/or education may be considered.
  • Seven (7) years’ experience in nonprofit development, event planning, marketing, communications, or high-end sales (or equivalent combination of experience and education) including a minimum of 6 years of direct fundraising experience, ideally raising gifts of $100,000 or more.
  • Experience managing multiple employees.

Skills: 

  • Excellent oral and written communication
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • High level attention to detail; ability to meet all deadlines.
  • Ability to read and interpret documents and reports. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from donors. Ability to effectively present information to donors, volunteers, organizational management, and public groups.
  • Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion

How To Apply

Email current resume and cover letter as one combined PDF document to: Jobs@CompassionAndChoices.org.

In the subject line of your email, indicate “Last_First Name, DOP 03-2021”. In your cover letter, please (1) indicate how your personal philosophy aligns with our mission, (2) provide a brief summary of your directly related experience, and (3) provide your salary expectation (with a specific amount/range vs ‘negotiable’).

Questions about the position may be directed to:  Jobs@compassionandchoices.org.

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