Director of Major Gifts

KIPP Nashville

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Job Summary

About KIPP Nashville

KIPP Nashville is a network of high-performing, college preparatory public schools that has been committed to creating a vibrant, college-going culture in Nashville since 2005. KIPP Nashville is partnered with the national KIPP Network, which educates over 100,000 students nation-wide and supports students from educationally under resourced communities through college at a rate 4 times the national average.

KIPP Nashville currently operates 7 schools (3 Elementary, 3 Middle and 1 High School) and educates over 3,000 students in grades Kindergarten through 12^th and support over 350 alumni through our KIPP Forward program. 

Our mission is that, together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. If you share in this mission, if you have a proven willingness to do whatever it takes for students to achieve, if you thrive in an environment that is both collaborative and entrepreneurial, and big goals and visions are for you, then our KIPP Team & Family could be a great fit.

 

Position Overview

KIPP Nashville is growing to educate 1 of every 10 students in Nashville public schools by 2027.  The Director of Major Gifts will report to the Managing Director of Development and work closely with school-based and School Support Team members across KIPP Nashville to secure $20M+ in private philanthropy to support this effort. Their primary responsibilities include identifying donor prospects, developing relationships, and soliciting major gifts from individuals toward the personal goal of raising $1M annually.  Success driving strategic events and person to person fundraising requires optimism, discipline, and courage.  Demonstrating a team spirit and creative approach to achieving identified goals and initiatives, the Director of Major Gifts will work to support our students, teachers, and families as we expand to 10 schools by 2025.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Director of Major Gifts will include, but are not limited to:

 

Major Gift Fundraising

• Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with existing and prospective corporate, foundation, and individual funding sources, and solicit gifts of time, talent and treasure
• Support the development and implementation of a comprehensive, innovative campaign plan including prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for Annual Fundraising Campaign
• Develop and drive innovative strategies to increase donor retention and giving
• Develop, build and manage portfolio of 100+ major gift donors and/or prospects and solicit them for gifts annually
• Identify needs within KIPP schools and programs and develop cases for support to drive philanthropic support.

 

Strategic Event Leadership

• Partner with the Director of Communications & Marketing on event logistics, programming and materials utilized for major Development events, consistent with KIPP Nashville’s branding and communications vision
• Recruit event chair(s) and leaders (table hosts, for example) and drive to success
• Design, promote and lead school tours

 

Donor Engagement and Stewardship

• Develop and deliver unique stewardship and gift acknowledgement strategies for key donors
• Ensure all donors are strategically thanked in timely and effective manner to encourage continued giving
• Create and drive participation in relevant volunteer and philanthropic opportunities for emerging leaders (age 25 – 35 years old)

Qualifications

Desired Qualifications

• Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in relevant field(s): Development, communications, marketing, fundraising and/or education leadership
• Demonstrated passion for the mission, vision and values of KIPP Nashville; comfort and willingness to actively participate in the school and neighborhood community
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; demonstrated experience in the ability to communicate with, engage and inspire a wide range of audiences
• Ability to multitask, work collaboratively, and maintain focus in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with project and people management: comfort directing others towards a common outcome
• Proven track record of maintaining fiscal integrity, accurate reporting, and budget compliance
• Comprehensive experience tracking projections and producing reports utilizing Microsoft Excel, Google Docs/Sheets and/or a sophisticated fundraising database
• Strategic and analytical skills combined with a flexible and entrepreneurial spirit; ability to adapt to quickly changing needs and priorities, demonstrated “whatever it takes” approach to securing funding goals
• Experience with the Nashville philanthropy environment a plus
• Bachelor’s degree required

 

Desired Competencies

• Mission Connected & Connector
• Build Relationships (Stakeholder Management)
• Drive Results (Achievement Orientation)
• Courageous and Hard Working
• Truth Teller
• Pursues Excellence and Growth
• Smart: People and Street
• Generative and Self Starting
• “Humble, Hungry and Smart”

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Apply directly at the KIPP Nashville website by submitting a resume and cover letter. Please contact Berry Brooks, Managing Director of Development, at bbrooks@kippnashville.org with questions.

KIPP Nashville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual preference, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, pregnancy, or veteran status.

Details

• Date Posted: June 6, 2022
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Fundraising / Revenue Development
• Service Area: Education