Major Gifts Officer

Who We Are

Partnership Schools is accepting applications for the role of a Major Gifts Officer. The ideal candidate brings creativity, imagination, positivity, and passion to their fundraising approach, and is ready to dive into a fast-paced and exciting entrepreneurial work environment. 

The Partnership is a pioneering school management organization started in 2013 that is shaping the next generation of urban Catholic education. Granted operational management of seven long-standing Pre-K to 8th-grade schools in the South Bronx and Harlem and an additional four schools in the heart of Cleveland beginning in 2020, the Partnership is committed to providing students in historically underserved neighborhoods with the academic preparation, values, and skills they need to excel. The Partnership currently serves over 3,400 students across the network—99% students of color.

The historic success of urban Catholic schools stems not only from a rigorous tradition of academic excellence but also from an emphasis on developing self-worth, moral character, a love of learning, and a sense of civic responsibility—all part of our long-standing commitment to educating the whole child. Partnership Schools is unique in knitting this tradition together with lessons from high-achieving public, charter, and independent schools, in the service of our students.

At the Partnership, we believe all children can achieve at the highest levels. If you are interested in serving as a pioneer in education and share an unwavering commitment to raising student achievement and an appreciation and respect for Catholic culture, identity, and values, we want to hear from you!

What You’ll Do

Partnership Schools is at a pivotal moment in our trajectory. In our first decade, Partnership Schools has successfully pioneered a groundbreaking approach for the independent management of urban Catholic schools, one needed now more than ever. As Catholic schools closed across the nation, Partnership schools increased enrollment, produced academic growth, and raised more money than ever. Because our effective model serves as a proof-point of what is possible, Partnership Schools is accelerating our growth and tenaciously expanding philanthropy to increase the number of students served and bolster the organization’s national impact on the school choice movement.

Partnership Schools seeks an entrepreneurial and innovative Major Gifts Officer to help catalyze the organization’s continued philanthropic growth. They will join a growing, motivated, and collaborative team of five development professionals in New York, three in Cleveland, plus a full-time fundraising consultant. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Major Gifts Officer will cultivate and solicit philanthropic gifts to support our eleven schools and over 3,400 students, helping the Partnership raise $18+ million in philanthropy to run the NY schools. In addition to managing a portfolio of new prospects and qualified donors, the Major Gifts Officer will build a donor pipeline, implement cultivation strategies, solicit major gifts ($100,000+), and effectively steward donors. Working closely with colleagues on the development team, as well as teammates across the organization, the Major Gifts Officer will develop, execute, evaluate, and refine strategies for assigned prospects to maximize their support potential.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio (200+) of individual prospects and donors using moves management strategies and evidence-based philanthropic best practices; develop ongoing relationships with these prospects and donors throughout the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship process with the goal of soliciting and closing gifts of $100,000+
• Identify new prospects through research and data mining; cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects to meet specific activity goals
• Establish tailored, individual fundraising plans, which will include a full range of donor cultivation activities such as school tours, receptions, bespoke donor experiences, and large and small private gatherings
• Leverage exceptional interpersonal and verbal and written communications skills to craft effective solicitation letters and proposals
• Demonstrated experience in writing effective donor communications and knowledge of the New York City funding community

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's Degree or higher
• 7+ years of proven successful experience in individual fundraising
• Experience with and a proven track record around prospecting, pipeline building, and prospect development (geared toward securing six-figure gifts)
• Experience or exposure to corporate fundraising, foundations, and grant writing is a plus

Why You’ll Be a Fit

• You are deeply committed to the mission of Partnership Schools and to the education of students in underserved communities
• You are interested in learning about K-8 education, Catholic education, school choice, and/or social justice
• You’re open-minded, intellectually curious, and eager to learn something new each day!
• You naturally bring a positive, high-energy, and collaborative approach to your work
• You are comfortable being part of a development team which is “forming, storming, and norming” as it builds on current ways of working to continually improve systems, tools, and approaches—and would welcome the chance to shape the future with us

What We Offer

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The Partnership offers a competitive benefits package and is an equal opportunity organization that values diversity. 

Compensation for this role will range from $160,000 to $190,000.