Director of Major Gifts

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan.

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self.

We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality.

Position Summary Ethical Culture Fieldston School (ECFS) seeks an experienced fundraising professional to serve as the School’s Director of Major Gifts. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer Rose Turshen and working in close partnership with the CEO/Head of School, the Director of Major Gifts will lead leadership-level fundraising for the School's capital campaign, manage a portfolio of the School's most significant prospects, and serve as the primary staff partner to campaign volunteers.

Beyond the campaign, the Director will build the practices of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship required to sustain a robust major gifts program for years to come.

The full-time salary range for this position is $200,000-$ 225,000. The starting salary is based upon, but not limited to, several factors which include years of experience, education background, and expertise. Opportunities and Challenges will include:

Advance leadership giving for a transformational campaign

ECFS is in the quiet phase of an exciting and ambitious campaign anchored by a new science and innovation center. The Director of Major Gifts will manage a portfolio of leadership prospects, partner with the CEO and the Chief Advancement Officer in cultivating and soliciting the School's most significant

donors, and bring the focus and discipline that move conversations from interest to commitment. The Director will also help broaden the case for support, connecting the project to the full breadth of the ECFS program and the innovation it will make possible across every division.

Strengthen the culture of philanthropy

ECFS families care deeply about the School, and giving through the Orange Fund has grown steadily. The opportunity now is to build a culture in which philanthropic leadership is clearly communicated, expected, and celebrated. The Director of Major Gifts will be a visible and energizing presence in the community, attending school events, athletic contests, and performances, meeting families one on one, and helping donors feel genuinely connected to the School's leadership and vision.

Strengthen prospect identification and pipeline development

With more than 1,700 students across four divisions and two campuses, ECFS has significant untapped philanthropic capacity among current and…