Major Gifts Advisor

Summary

Join KIPP SoCal Public Schools as a Major Gifts Advisor and play a pivotal role in securing philanthropic support for our mission of providing equitable educational opportunities. You will cultivate relationships with major donors, manage a portfolio of high-value gifts, and contribute to a multi-million dollar comprehensive campaign. This role involves identifying and securing new donors, executing stewardship plans, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate possesses strong communication, fundraising, and relationship-building skills, along with a commitment to KIPP SoCal's mission. This is a telework position with in-person requirements in the Greater Los Angeles area. The position is anticipated to last the length of the capital campaign (FY24-FY28).

Requirements

• Commitment to KIPP SoCal’s mission
• Ability to work with the most senior levels of an organization and the ability to effectively strategize and engage various groups and constituents
• Experience and comfort with securing major gifts from individual donors
• Experience in nurturing and motivating volunteers, particularly board members, and an appreciation for their role in building an effective fundraising network
• Ability to inspire and motivate a team to achieve fundraising goals
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate KIPP SoCal's mission and work clearly and in a compelling manner to diverse audiences
• Proven ability in strategic planning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and change management
• Entrepreneurial disposition and track record of building new programming, operations, and procedures to sustain the work
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to efficiently manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Ability to lead and work well with diverse stakeholders
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred
• 7+ years of professional work experience, with significant experience in Development, within an entrepreneurial non-profit environment strongly preferred
• Successful track record in fundraising six-figure + gifts, and in managing complex relationships and grants with institutional donors
• Very strong verbal and written communication skills, organizational and analytical skills, and project management skills
• Ability to articulate forward-thinking strategies and compelling stories that inspire and motivate diverse stakeholders and constituencies to achieve ambitious revenue generation goals
• Energized by a fast-paced, collaborative, dynamic working environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Able to continuously learn and improve from feedback, experience, and self-directed professional development
• A demonstrated passion for improving K-12 public education and equitably education outcomes
• Strong commitment to a personal journey towards becoming an anti-racist and advancing social justice

Responsibilities

• Manage and steward a portfolio of major donors ($25,000 and above) who have made complex, multi-faceted investments in KIPP SoCal
• Design and execute comprehensive annual stewardship for major donors, in partnership with our VP of Advancement, with a focus on gift renewals and above and beyond campaign gifts
• Execute and report on quarterly/annual fundraising plans including donor identification, qualification, activity, and solicitations, and comprehensive campaign progress
• Work closely with Development leadership and senior leadership to acquire new corporate, institutional, and family foundation donors with the capacity for major gifts as part of KIPP SoCal’s efforts
• Analyze and predict donors’ propensity, capacity, and enthusiasm to give, gathering data to determine the best candidates for major gifts
• Cultivate major gift prospects, building relationships designed to understand the impact of alignment with KIPP SoCal’s mission and objectives
• Prioritize major gift pipeline and execute engagement, cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship strategies for new prospects and donors in portfolio
• Actively engage internal and external networking and continuously learn about our mission, vision, and progress to share the story of KIPP SoCal effectively
• Represent KIPP SoCal at appropriate events to learn, share, and cultivate new partnerships; attending/leading/supporting events outside of normal business hours will be expected
• Provide strategic guidance on and produce prospect letters of inquiry, grant proposals and reports, briefings, and associated documents in collaboration with the Marketing/Communications team
• Speak compellingly to KIPP SoCal’s mission and values, and can share concrete examples of how our mission and values influence key workstreams
• Develop strong, trusting, respectful relationships with others
• Identify and create opportunities to partner through networking and participating in cross-functional, multi-stakeholder groups
• Display consistently strong listening and synthesis skills; is able to pull together information and input from various parties and from many streams and reflect back succinctly key ideas and decisions, ensuring stakeholders across lines of difference feel appropriately heard and involved
• Write and communicate clearly, professionally, and as needed persuasively across mediums, including in presentation and instructional situations
• Demonstrate results and the ability to sustain and persevere through significant challenges to reach goals
• Empower team members to propose approaches to increase performance and deliver results more efficiently/effectively
• Work closely with the Director of Development, Campaign Manager, and Campaign Associate to support the campaign timeline and promote timely decision-making and activity in alignment with the campaign timetable
• Collaborate with the KIPP SoCal Board to identify potential fundraising opportunities and new prospect connections
• Align campaign progress on a consistent basis using established metrics
• Ensure that the campaign remains a top organizational priority

Benefits

• 100% of healthcare premium costs covered by employer, dependents added at 50% of the cost
• Employer-paid KIPP SoCal life insurance
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% match by KIPP SoCal
• Voluntary Benefits (Pet Insurance, Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
• Generous paid time off program includes 22 holidays, 10 sick days, and 10 vacation days per year
• Other great benefits (Flexible spending account, EAP, etc.)