Director, Individual Giving

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Full Time Brooklyn, NY, US

2 days ago Requisition

Position Title: Director, Individual Giving

Department: Development

Reports to: Managing Director, Development

FLSA Status: Full-time,Exempt, Non-union

Grade: 5

Position

Description:

The director, Individual Giving is responsible for shaping and executing the overall strategy for Individual Giving at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG), deepening the Garden’s relationships with individuals and family foundations. This hands‑on leadership role combines strategic vision with significant frontline fundraising and behind‑the‑scenes execution. The role oversees special events and will play a key role in an upcoming capital campaign.

The director is a credible and compelling advocate for BBG’s work and mission, and a warm and welcoming host for BBG’s friends and supporters. The director personally manages a large and important portfolio of major donors and prospects, while managing and mentoring a medium‑sized fundraising team and partnering closely with colleagues across the institution.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Oversight

• Ensure the smooth operation and continued growth of BBG’s Individual Giving program and sub programs:
  Major Gifts, President’s Circle, Planned Giving, and Special Events.
• Develop and execute a data-informed plan to grow Individual Giving at BBG, including new strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit new donors and steward both new and existing supporters.
• Oversee a special events team member responsible for annual $1M+ Spring Gala and a comprehensive calendar of delightful donor‑engagement experiences.
• Collaborate with leaders of other fundraising verticals (Membership, Institutional Giving) to ensure a coherent and fluid pipeline across BBG’s fundraising efforts.
• Prepare and present compelling reports and analyses that highlight program opportunities and potential for growth.
• Maintain current and accurate fundraising projections in Raiser’s Edge.
• Manage income and expense budgets proactively and efficiently.
• Manage, mentor, and support a medium‑sized team of frontline fundraisers, remaining closely involved in their development and work outputs.
• Set clear expectations, review work for quality and tone, identify professional development opportunities, and provide ongoing coaching.
• Coach all team members toward exceeding each program’s annual fundraising goals.
• Ensure prompt and accurate recordkeeping in donor database (Raiser’s Edge NXT) and other systems as needed.
• Model and teach fundraising best practices.
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and genuine passion for BBG’s mission and programs.
• Manage BBG’s relationship with a dynamic and consequential portfolio of around 100 major donors and prospects, currently giving more than $2.5 million annually, cultivating them toward increased outright and/or planned gifts to BBG.
• Develop and adapt proposal and reporting collateral as needed to support major gift solicitations and stewardship needs.
• Work closely with trustees and leadership team to proactively acquire new donors.
• Assign/reassign donors and prospects to gift‑officer portfolios as needed to deepen relationships and optimize fundraiser productivity.
• Ensure proper donor acknowledgement and recognition in all venues and ensure maintenance of up‑to‑date and accurate records and reporting.

Thought Partnership

• Support the chief development officer and president in sustaining and deepening leadership relationships with all donor constituencies, including trustees and certain trustee committees.
• Contribute to planning and execution of a future capital…