National Director of Philanthropy

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To apply, email your résumé to:
CIresumes@children.org

Title: National Director of Philanthropy

Reports to: Vice President of Global Philanthropy & Marketing
About Children International

Children International is a global humanitarian organization working to unleash the potential of children and youth living in dire conditions around the world. At CI, we believe that every child matters and that it is simply unacceptable that over a billion of them live in poverty. The CI approach is to invest in our kids for the first two critical decades of their lives so by the time they are 18, they are a confident young person with the mindset, skills and tools to reach their goals and positively influence their community. Then through age 24, we offer them the opportunity to pursue employability programs that empower them and help them reach their dreams to support their families out of poverty. This holistic and comprehensive approach from age 2 to age 24 changes the course of their stories. We are in it for the long haul because we know that the 230,000 children, youth and young adults we support in 10 countries around the world deserve a fighting chance.

Children International’s work is made possible by generous and caring sponsors, donors, corporations, more than 9,000 dedicated volunteers and approximately 1,200 employees. We are an adaptable, high performance, values based organization who is constantly elevating our game. That’s where you come in.

Position summary

The National Director of Philanthropy provides leadership to the Major Gift program at Children International that funds our Employability Programs, a strategic area of growth and investment in the coming years. This position reports to the Vice President of Global Philanthropy & Marketing.

The National Director of Philanthropy will lead the Major/Individual Giving Team as we significantly increase fundraising for our Employability programs. S/he will cultivate, solicit and steward gifts from a portfolio of committed and prospect donors and lead a team of Gift Officers. This leader will work closely with our Gift Planning and Strategic Partnerships team. A successful National Director of Philanthropy is a dynamic and engaging fundraiser and team leader who can articulate a clear and compelling case for support from high-net-worth individuals in support of Children International’s transformative work.

Children International is making significant investments to enable accelerated growth in coming years and the National Director of Philanthropy is a key leader in preparing for and enabling this accelerated growth. This is an incredibly exciting and consequential time at CI and we are looking for a visionary, influential, collaborative, results oriented leader with a growth mindset to usher in this era of growth as we expand the Employability Programs that truly add sustainability in our fight against poverty. If this is making your heart beat a little faster, please keep reading.

Are you a visionary leader ready to influence and lead through growth?

As National Director of Philanthropy, you play an important role in helping shape the future of Children International and are ready to step up to this rewarding challenge. Your greatest intrinsic reward will be in the eyes of the youth who graduate from our program equipped and empowered to be positive agents of change in their communities.

Are you influential, collaborative and known for your integrity?

A skilled collaborator, you build trusting relationships and are able to influence donors and key external and internal partners. Your leadership, drive, results orientation and philanthropy expertise take our fundraising to new heights. As an extraordinary thought leader, people leader and a savvy fundraiser, you are a passionate advocate for children and an ethical owner of our cause.

We are an adaptable organization looking for an adaptable leader with a growth mindset.

As National Director of Philanthropy, you join a team of mission-driven employees and volunteers around the world committed to evolving and transforming as the needs of the children and families we serve also evolve. As we adapt to provide ever more relevant and impactful programs, we are also diversifying our fundraising beyond child sponsorship to significantly grow the funds raised to support our life changing Employability Programs.

Responsibilities include:
  • Maintain a portfolio of prospects and donors that generates gifts from a wide range of sources including individuals, and private family foundations; focusing activities and overall portfolio around donors and prospects with gift potential of $25,000 and up.
  • Raise over $2 million annually in sustainable cash revenue including the addition of a minimum of five (5) new major donors ($25,000+) to portfolio each year. Maintain or exceed 75% retention of portfolio year over year.
  • Discuss planned giving options with donors and provide materials and outside support services where needed to implement donor’s planned gift to increase the number of planned gifts each year that generate $1 million or more in deferred gifts.
  • Develop and implement a strategic gift solicitation plan for generating major gifts and multi-year commitments from high-level prospects and donors within assigned region to meet/exceed revenue goals.
  • Lead, support, manage, coach and mentor a team of Regional Philanthropy Directors to meet determined goals.
  • Conduct in-person meetings with both existing donors and new prospects.
  • Manage a cost-effective budget and expenses related to fundraising.
  • Work closely with key area volunteers in support of territory fundraising strategies.
  • Develop and maintain strong collaborative working relationships with other members of the Global Philanthropy team and overall organization; demonstrating the team’s and organization’s Values.
  • Stay abreast of emerging trends in the major giving field and infuse new practices within the Global Philanthropy team.
  • Represent Philanthropy on the Global Directors team and serve as a key leader on the Global Fundraising senior leadership team.
  • Strictly observe confidentiality and strong ethics with respect to all beneficiary information/financial and other organizational data.
  • Comply with and ensure adherence to the agency’s policies, safety and security protocols and child safeguarding norms and guidelines by self as well all stakeholders both internal and external.
  • Promote diversity and inclusion, value other cultures, and demonstrate respect while relating with all organizational constituents irrespective of their race, color, faiths, gender, sexual orientation, age, caste, disabilities, experiences, beliefs, and ethnicity.
Personal characteristics & qualifications:
  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • At least seven to eight years of demonstrated Major Gifts experience and proven success managing a $1M+ annual portfolio - growing revenues and new donors in a non-profit development role with year over year growth of the portfolio from major gifts from individual donors.
  • Experience managing high-level, strategic donor relationships.
  • A drive for exceptional results and growth.
  • A passion for building meaningful, long lasting relationships with donors that share a commitment to our mission of investing in children, youth and young adults to change the world.
  • Excellent, influential and persuasive communication skills with a persuasive ability, including strong written, verbal and presentation skills that can passionately and compellingly articulate Children International’s work.
  • Proficiency with fundraising systems and CRM platforms.
  • A deep passion for the mission of Children International and its commitment to holistic and impactful transformation with both donors and children and youth.

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