Director of Individual Giving: Lenfest Institute Journalism

Reporting to the Head of Development and working closely with the Advancement team consisting of the Executive Vice President, Head of Development, and Advancement Manager, the Director of Individual Giving is a new role responsible for soliciting and stewarding philanthropic gifts primarily of $2,500 and up to benefit the local and national programs and objectives of the Lenfest Institute. They will assist with developing and cultivating the donor pipeline, working closely with the team to develop thoughtful and strategic direction and engagement for donors and prospects to connect donors’ interests with The Institute’s priorities.

Additionally, they will implement the activities of a newly expanded donor society that was created in conjunction with the 10 th anniversary of the Institute.

The successful candidate must be a flexible and enthusiastic professional who is equally comfortable working autonomously and collaboratively, possessing a strong knowledge of the principles, ethics, and practices of successful fundraising. Preference will be given to candidates who live in the Philadelphia area.

Donor Solicitation and Engagement

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 individual donors and prospects.
• Participate in major gift prospecting and execution for annual, endowment, and planned gifts, including individual donors and prospects.
• Strategize and assist with engagement efforts for individual donors, ensuring retention, continued growth and consistent stewardship.
• Work collaboratively across the organization, partnering with program staff to engage donors and report on the impact of restricted gifts.

Lenfest Donor Society

• Develop, implement and facilitate activities, events, and incentives for the giving society levels.
• Create campaigns, invitations and other resources as needed for each activity.
• Assist with anniversary events and investigate opportunities for retaining donors from those activities.
• Maintain donor levels and listings for public presentation.

Organizational Management:

• Uphold standards, procedures and tools that enable best practices in acknowledgement, recognition, and reporting for annual and endowment fundraising.
• Represent the Institute in convenings, meetings, and forums for the benefit of local news and fundraising as an industry practice.
• Participate in Board Advancement Committee, staff and team meetings.
• Provide and promote a positive institutional culture featuring teamwork, accountability, resourcefulness and a commitment to excellence; engage team members in development and advancement.
• Maintain Salesforce database including campaigns, MOVES management and other donor record updates as needed.
• Work collaboratively on other fundraising projects as needed.

• At least five years of successful, non-profit fundraising experience, or related experience in other sectors
• Demonstrated success developing and sustaining relationships with key donors/prospects, clients, volunteer leadership and staff
• Computer literacy including experience with donor management software

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects or assignments simultaneously
• Demonstrated comfort in interacting with a diverse group of individuals both inside and outside of the Lenfest Institute
• Demonstrated flexibility, creativity, strategic-thinking skills, and intellectual curiosity
• Willingness to take initiative and to learn new best practices
• Must be able to travel (up to 25%) and work some evening and weekend hours

The Lenfest Institute’s office is in Philadelphia, PA. Our staff currently works on a hybrid schedule with staff working in the…