Director of Individual Giving

Overview

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st-century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.7 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. BPL provides nearly 60,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.

The Director of Individual Giving, reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), provides leadership and develops strategy to maximize BPL’s financial support from individuals and is responsible for achieving or exceeding BPL’s individual fundraising goals. The Director will personally oversee the Library’s major gifts program with an emphasis on five- and six-figure gifts and provide supervision for a patrons' program, large-scale fundraising campaigns, planned giving, and special initiatives.

The Director will work closely with the CDO, CEO, and the Board of Trustees to advance the major gifts program. This position maintains strong relationships with program staff to create working partnerships that successfully engage the donor community and continue to build a culture of philanthropy at the Library. The Director will join a collegial team of 12 development staff and currently has two direct reports: Manager of Individual Giving Campaigns and Assistant Director, Individual Giving.

Responsibilities

Major Gifts:

• Proactively plan and personally manage a portfolio of existing and potential major gift donors, using best practices in moves management and donor meetings to identify and cultivate qualified relationships; solicit, close and steward gifts
• Build and maintain the major gifts pipeline through organized systems and data-informed strategy
• Guide cultivation and solicitation of individual prospects for CDO, CEO, and members of the board of directors. Brief and prepare solicitors and prospective donors; schedule meetings; prepare presentation materials, follow up and strategize stewardship
• Create compelling proposals and reports that align BPL's institutional priorities with donor interests to secure new commitments and upgrade existing gifts
• Become fluent in BPL programs and provide meaningful tailored touchpoints to support individual cultivation, stewardship and wider-scale impact communications

 Patron and Planned Giving Programs:

• Supervise and provide strategic guidance for growth of the Whitman Circle mid-level Patron Program, managed by Assistant Director of Individual Giving
• Ensure quality and flawless execution of compelling donor cultivation and stewardship events
• In collaboration with CDO, Manager of Individual Campaigns and consultants, oversee planned giving marketing and outreach, and manage the Ingersoll Circle, BPL’s legacy gift recognition program

Large-scale Campaigns:

• Provide oversight for small-gift direct mail and digital campaigns throughout the year, including acquisition, renewal, lapsed, upgrade, etc. managed by Manager of Individual Giving and Campaigns with support from consultants
• Work with Manager to identify new opportunities in giving campaigns, tools and methods, keeping abreast of industry research and trends to grow annual giving

 Analysis, reporting and infrastructure:

• Create annual and longer-term forecasts for all areas of individual giving
• Monitor and analyze key metrics, critically evaluating fundraising efforts using historical data and industry benchmarks.
• Prepare and delivery presentations to share findings with Development and Marketing Committee
• Ensure best practices for accuracy in processing and tracking gifts, as well as gift acknowledgement, donor records, and reports

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree. Advanced degree or certificate in Arts Administration, Non-Profit Management, Business, Public Administration or another related field is a plus.
• At least 8-10 years of relevant nonprofit development experience
• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, closing and stewarding gifts of $25,000+
• Experience managing team members, along with volunteer leadership and committees
• Proficiency with MS Office suite and video conferences on several platforms. Working knowledge of Raisers Edge NXT preferred.

Desired competencies include:

•  Commitment to the Library’s mission and valuing diversity
• Knowledge of NYC fundraising landscape and commitment to staying up to date on trends and best practices.
• Capacity to build strong relationships with a diverse array of constituents. Ability to connect the dots and strategize donor engagement to build productive working relationships.
• Outstanding written, verbal and interpersonal communication and presentation skills
• In-depth understanding of prospect research and moves management
• Interest in marketing communications, technology, direct mail and digital campaigns
• Proactive self-starter with excellent organizational and time-management skills; creative and resourceful mindset
• Ability to inspire and motivate team members to grow and be successful in achieving goals
• Commitment to collaboration and sharing of resources. Being a positive team contributor with a sense of humor.
• A high level of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality, maintaining trusting relationships based on honesty

This is a non-union, exempt position with a salary range of $120,000-125,000. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume for consideration.