Associate Director of Individual Giving

Associate Director of Individual Giving (onsite)

Position Title: Associate Director of Individual Giving

Company: Middle East Institute

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: On-Site | Washington, DC

The Middle East Institute is at the forefront of a new kind of think tank—one that thrives at the intersection of policy, education, and culture. Based in Washington, DC, and founded in 1946, MEI is the oldest U.S. nonprofit dedicated solely to the study of the Middle East. It is a non‑partisan institution committed to increasing knowledge of the region and fostering mutual understanding between the Middle East and the United States.

MEI’s work spans multiple areas:

• Policy Center: Featuring 18 research programs producing original analysis and convening regional and global leaders to address pressing issues.
• Arts & Culture Center: Showcasing Middle Eastern artists and fostering cross‑cultural exchange through exhibitions, performances, and digital content.
• Education & Professional Development: Offering internships, seminars, regional studies, and a respected academic journal, as well as maintaining the Oman Library, with over 20,000 titles in English, Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, and Persian.

The Middle East Institute (MEI) seeks a results‑driven and entrepreneurial professional to fill the role of Associate Director of Individual Giving.

Culturally aware, intellectually curious, and possessing a talent for building meaningful connections, the incoming Associate Director will implement and lead strategies to strengthen and expand MEI’s philanthropic capacity. This role is vital in cultivating and deepening relationships with high‑net‑worth individuals and family foundations who are passionate about supporting MEI’s mission of enhancing understanding between the people of the Middle East and the United States.

The Associate Director of Individual Giving will propel impact and strategy through strategic fundraising that enables many types of funders and donors to value and join in advancing MEI’s programs. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the new Associate Director will develop and nurture strong relationships with donors to ensure a deep understanding of MEI’s programs and the complexity and beauty of the middle east.

• High‑Net‑Worth Engagement: Identify, approach, cultivate, and engage high‑net‑worth individuals whose interests align with MEI’s mission and values. The portfolio of donors managed by the Associate Director of Individual Giving will be a mix of current and lapsed donors, as well as individuals who have no previous relationship with MEI.
• Relationship Building: Develop and nurture strong relationships with existing and potential donors, ensuring a deep understanding of their philanthropic goals and interests.
• Communication: Effectively communicate the impact and value of MEI’s initiatives to high‑net‑worth individuals, demonstrating the meaningful contributions they can make.
• Customized Proposals: Collaborate with programmatic and leadership teams to create personalized and compelling proposals tailored to the interests and preferences of individual donors that secure their major gifts ($30,000 and above level).
• Events: Inform and coordinate with donors about upcoming events, delegations to the region, and their sponsorship opportunities.
• Stewardship: Implement stewardship programs to recognize and appreciate donors, keeping them informed about the outcomes of their contributions.
• Fundraising Campaigns: Contribute to the development and execution of strategic fundraising campaigns targeting high‑net‑worth individuals, with a focus on achieving the department's overall revenue goals.
• Data Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions, ensuring the effective use of donor management systems (Salesforce).
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

The Associate Director of Individual Giving will bring to MEI’s entrepreneurial and dynamic team the following ways of working:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in investor relations,…