What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Philanthropy position at The Batten Group - Executive Search?
Director of Philanthropy
About California State University, Chico
The history of the Chico campus dates back to 1887, when the California legislature approved the creation of the Northern Branch of the State Normal School, a San José-based school for teachers. The small town of Chico was chosen as the site of the new teachers’ college, and the Chico Normal School opened its doors to 90 students in 1889. As the college grew, its name changed to reflect that growth. The legislature converted its teachers’ colleges to state colleges in 1935, and Chico State Teachers’ College became Chico State College. In 1972, the college became California State University, Chico.
Today, CSU, Chico is a comprehensive university serving not only the Sacramento Valley region, but also the state, the nation, and the world, through instruction, research, and public service. The University’s motto – “Today Decides Tomorrow” – emphasizes the institution’s profound sense of place and purpose “to be a living and learning community worthy of the trust that our students and the people of California have placed in us.” The University helps today’s students develop into tomorrow’s successful citizens. Its unique combination of scholarly pursuits, civic engagement, and a strong connection to the Chico community has earned it national and international accolades.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Senior Director of Philanthropy and in close consultation with the appropriate college deans, the Director of Philanthropy is responsible for planning and implementing individual, multi-year, major gift, and annual leadership giving fund-raising efforts for three colleges. With support from the research team and an assigned outreach coordinator, this position is responsible for the identification, qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of prospective and current donors. The successful candidate will be a hands-on major gift and annual leadership gift officer with demonstrated fund-raising experience and capable of handling a portfolio of 120 suspects and prospects. In addition to front-line fundraising, the director will collaborate with fellow philanthropy officers, outreach coordinators and central advancement staff in prospect research, stewardship, and the annual fund. This position is expected to secure a minimum of $1.5 million in gifts through a combination of cash, in-kind and bequest gifts.
Position Duties and Responsibilities
Gift Solicitation, Cultivation, and Stewardship
- Plan, organize and implement advancement activities consistent with the goals and mission of the colleges, including the identification, cultivation and solicitation of major gifts and annual leadership gifts from donors and prospects and is in full compliance with Chico State and CSU policies and procedures.
- Collaborate with the deans, chairs, directors, faculty, university-wide advancement colleagues and constituents to enhance and promote fund-raising priorities relative to securing major gifts and annual leadership gifts from private sources.
- Partner with colleges’ faculty leadership and staff to identify opportunities to strengthen key relationships among constituents and build support for the students, faculty and programs of the colleges.
- Coordinate and plan a strategic solicitation process to attain gifts of outright cash, multi-year pledge commitments, estate planned gifts, and in-kind gifts from alumni, parents, friends.
- Collaborate with the deans to outline college priorities, articulate plans and programs that implement the university-wide comprehensive campaign.
- Utilizing University Advancement’s prospect management processes, acquire and consistently manage a portfolio of 120 highly qualified suspects & prospects.
- Develop, prepare and coordinate written proposals and presentations for major gift solicitations and assist in the preparation of acknowledgment letters and stewardship functions.
- Interact, exchange ideas and support the development team regarding research, prospect assignments, cultivation and solicitation of potential donors, and strategy.
Development Team Leadership
Candidate Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities
Although remote work will be considered, the preference is for local candidates. Remote workers would need to be located no more than three hours from Chico.
POLICY ON PLACEMENT AND RECRUITING
The Batten Group and California State University, Chico are equal opportunity employers committed to the principles of non-discrimination in the workplace. Candidates will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other basis that is prohibited by federal, state, or local law.
