Director of Endowment Strategy & Campaign

Director of Endowment Strategy & Campaign

Bloomfield, Connecticut (Hybrid / Remote Considered)

Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation seeks a senior-level Director of Endowment Strategy & Campaign to architect and execute a 42-month initiative designed to significantly expand Fidelco’s permanent endowment assets.

This defined-term appointment is focused exclusively on endowment growth. The Director will lead strategy, cultivation, and solicitation efforts to secure transformational endowment commitments, including the establishment of function-based endowed leadership chairs.

Extension beyond the 42-month term may be considered based on campaign success and institutional priorities.

This initiative is designed to permanently strengthen Fidelco’s financial foundation by securing significant new endowment commitments that protect the organization’s mission for decades to come.

The campaign is distinct from annual fundraising and capital projects and operates within a structured, firewalled framework.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive 42-month campaign plan, including quiet and public phases.
• Establish milestone-based pacing with quarterly performance benchmarks.
• Secure early leadership commitments during the quiet phase.
• Maintain disciplined documentation and progress tracking.

• Serve as lead cultivator and solicitor for major endowment prospects.
• Personally lead seven-figure and leadership-level gift conversations.
• Develop customized strategies for high-net-worth individuals and regional family offices.
• Engage executive leadership and campaign volunteers strategically in key solicitations.

• Structure and secure function-based endowed chairs aligned with core mission areas.
• Collaborate with Finance to model long-term financial impact and spending policy implications.
• Ensure endowed agreements align with board-approved endowment governance standards.

• Operate within a dedicated, firewalled campaign budget and accounting structure.
• Maintain accurate documentation of realized endowment commitments.
• Produce quarterly campaign dashboards including:
  • Commitments secured
  • Pipeline valuation
  • Milestone progress
  • Expense tracking
• Collaborate with Finance to certify campaign totals and reporting integrity.

• Support recruitment and activation of campaign leadership volunteers.
• Prepare strategic briefing materials for solicitations.
• Reinforce messaging centered on permanence and institutional strength.

• Primary administrative reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. Close collaboration with Development and Finance leadership to ensure disciplined execution and financial integrity. Quarterly reporting to relevant Board committees.

Performance evaluation and incentive eligibility are based strictly on documented, realized endowment commitments secured during the campaign period and attributable to campaign strategy, as certified by Finance and approved by the Board.

The Director is expected to operate with strategic independence and full accountability for measurable outcomes.

• Demonstrated success securing seven-figure gifts.
• Senior-level experience in capital or endowment campaigns.
• Familiarity with Northeastern US philanthropic culture.
• Experience engaging high net worth individuals and family offices.
• Strong financial literacy regarding endowment structure and governance.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with disciplined execution.

Salary range: $125,000 – $175,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

A performance-based annual incentive and completion bonus structure is included as part of the compensation package and will be discussed during the hiring process.