The Blake School is hiring a Major Gift Officer

Denise Covington

Job Description:

Background

Recognized as one of the nation’s premiere day schools, The Blake School provides an excellent education in a diverse and supportive environment for 1,400 pre-k to grade 12 students, on three unique campuses in the Minneapolis metropolitan area.  For over 100 years, The Blake School has produced thoughtful, well-prepared graduates, who have gone on to great success both locally and nationally, and who continue to generously support the school.  

It is an exciting time to join the advancement team as we rally our community in support of the largest campaign in the school’s history.  This is an awesome job for the right candidate.  You will join a joyful office and community, full of people passionate about the school and our mission.  We are seeking a creative, solutions oriented person who loves social engagement and thrives in a result driven environment. Blake offers competitive salaries and benefits packages. This important position supports and maintains an active portfolio of 100+ prospects, as well as developing cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies.  Deep advancement experience is not as important as a track record of delivering results. Must be a team player with excellent written and oral communication skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with approximately 100+ prospective donors and will be expected to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward these families.
• Responsible for soliciting five to six figure campaign and major gifts for a set of campus-wide campaign priorities that include endowment, Middle School and athletic facilities, and the Annual Fund.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Annual Giving to cultivate and solicit selected top Annual Fund donors ($2,500-$50,000 level gifts) as requested.
• Participate in all aspects of the gift cycle:
  • Initiate contacts with potential major gift donors
  • Develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with trustees and other volunteers
  • Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure
  • Make solicitations
  • Maintain stewardship contacts with donors: adhere to the highest ethical standards: demonstrate empathetic disposition, and perseverance: reflect optimistic and positive attitude, and convey sensitivity to needs of the donors
  • Always demonstrate gratitude with timely acknowledgements

• Monitor and record prospect contacts in Raiser’s Edge to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations.
• Work collaboratively with and in support of volunteers, trustees, head of school, advancement staff, and administrators to cultivate and solicit donors: attend and participate in trustee development committee and campaign steering committee meetings.
• Support the Chief Advancement Officer in many aspects of the business including strategic annual planning
• Build effective relationships with faculty and staff: demonstrate interest in and support for the school’s mission by being an active member of the school community and attending a range of school activities and events during and after the school day as appropriate.
• Other duties as needed
• Must be able to travel

Experience and Skills:

Education/Experience/Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Four to seven years successful experience delivering measurable results in sales, communications, development / advancement.
• Ability to understand the needs and interests of leadership and major gift donors in order to develop relationships between them and the school
• Interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting the school’s fundraising priorities through developing excellent relationships with faculty, administrators, trustees, volunteers, and the advancement office team
• Successful experience in making cold calls as well as developing cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of completing assignments
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a mission-driven, fast-paced, complex, team-oriented department.
• Ability to have fun