Director of Leadership Giving

The Santa Monica Education Foundation was established in 1982 in response to devastating federal and state education budget cuts, the Santa Monica Education Foundation was organized by a dedicated group of parents, community leaders, and local business owners to enhance and supplement the curriculum of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Our mission is to engage the community to invest in a vibrant educational experience for all students in the Santa Monica public schools.

Position Summary

The Director of Leadership Giving plays a crucial role in advancing the Santa Monica Education Foundation's development initiatives. This position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts of $2,500 and above from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Additionally, the Director will collaborate with the Executive Director to implement and manage the Athletics Endowment Campaign, ensuring strategic growth and sustainability of the Foundation’s fundraising efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership Gift Fundraising

·     Develop and execute strategies to secure annual leadership gifts of $2,500 and above.

·     Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership gift prospects and donors.

·     Build and manage a portfolio of leadership gift prospects, maintaining regular, personalized communication to strengthen relationships.

·     Prepare tailored proposals, donor correspondence, and reports.

·     Track donor interactions and maintain accurate records in DonorPerfect.

Athletics Endowment Campaign

·     Collaborate with the Executive Director to design, launch, and manage the Athletics Endowment Campaign.

·     Develop campaign materials, timelines, and donor recognition plans.

·     Solicit major gifts specifically for the Athletics Endowment, engaging key stakeholders and prospects.

·     Monitor campaign progress and adjust strategies to meet fundraising goals.

Corporate Giving & Sponsorships

·     Develop and implement a strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate donors, with a focus on securing sponsorships through the Corporate Heroes Program.

·     Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, corporate foundations, and major employers to secure corporate gifts, matching gifts, and event sponsorships.

·     Collaborate with the Executive Director and marketing team to create customized sponsorship opportunities, ensuring corporate donors receive meaningful recognition and engagement.

Donor Stewardship and Engagement

·     Design and implement comprehensive stewardship plans to retain and upgrade leadership donors.

·     Coordinate donor recognition activities, events, and communications to enhance engagement.

·     Work closely with the Executive Director and Board members to support donor cultivation efforts.

Collaboration and Leadership

·     Partner with development staff to ensure a cohesive fundraising strategy.

·     Provide guidance and support to Board members, volunteers, and staff involved in leadership gift fundraising.

·     Represent the Santa Monica Education Foundation at events and meetings to promote the organization’s mission and fundraising priorities.

Qualifications

·     Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree and/or CFRE certification is a plus.

·     Minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising, preferably in a nonprofit or educational setting.

·     Proven track record of securing leadership gifts and managing donor relationships.

·     Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

·     Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

·     Proficiency in donor management software (preferably DonorPerfect) and Microsoft Office Suite.

·     Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.

·     Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Key Competencies

·     Strategic planning and execution

·     Relationship building and donor cultivation

·     Strong written and verbal communication skills

·     Data-driven decision-making

·     Collaboration and teamwork

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range is $90,000 to $115,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits include:

·     403(b) match

·     Vacation and sick leave accrual

·     Health benefits

·     Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

·     Phone and internet allowance

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Executive Director of the Santa Monica Education Foundation.

To Apply:

Send your resumé with a cover letter detailing your interest and qualifications for the position to jobs@smedfoundation.org with “Director of Leadership Giving” in the email subject line. Please, no phone calls. All applicants will be contacted regarding the status of their candidacy.

• The Santa Monica Education Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, age, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, national origin, citizenship, or disability.