Purpose
The Director of Philanthropic Engagement serves as a frontline major gift officer responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic investments from parents, alumni, and friends of Pine Crest School. This role manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and partners closely with the Vice President and Assistant Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement, as well as school leadership and volunteer leaders, to secure significant philanthropic support for institutional priorities. The Director plays an important role in advancing Pine Crest School’s culture of philanthropy by building meaningful relationships with families and alumni and inspiring philanthropic support for the school’s strategic priorities.
Essential Job Functions
- Identify and qualify new major gift prospects within the Pine Crest parent, alumni, and community network, building a robust pipeline of philanthropic partners
- Develop tailored engagement strategies to connect prospects with the school's mission and funding priorities
- Develop and execute strategic major gift solicitations, including preparing personalized proposals and coordinating solicitation opportunities with school leadership and volunteer partners
- Ensure donors are appropriately recognized and kept informed about the impact of their philanthropy
- Manage an active portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, maintaining disciplined moves management and documenting engagement strategies and activity in the donor database.
- Conduct regular in-person and virtual meetings with donors and prospects to advance relationships and philanthropic commitments
- Partner with the Vice President and Assistant Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement to advance strategic fundraising priorities and support high-level donor engagement opportunities
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Department Supervisor or their designee
Qualifications
Job Qualifications
- A minimum of 5 years of proven experience in a major gifts or frontline fundraising role.
- Prior experience working in an educational institution, preferably an independent school, is highly preferred.
- Demonstrated track record of successfully securing major gifts (six-figure donations).
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Strong ability to build trust and authentic relationships with diverse groups of constituents.
- High level of discretion and ethical conduct when handling confidential financial information.
Education
Bachelor’s degree required
Experience and Qualifications
- Frontline experience in securing six-figure philanthropic gifts
- Experience in developing successful donor cultivation and solicitation strategies
- Must be familiar with database applications and fundraising software, preferably Raiser’s Edge NXT
- Proven ability to inspire and engage through persuasive communications (written, verbal, and across media platforms) and donor relations activities
Skills Required
- Minimum of 5 years experience in major gifts or frontline fundraising role
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
- Bachelor's degree
- Experience in educational institutions, preferably independent schools
- Familiarity with database applications and fundraising software
What We Do
Pine Crest School is a private preparatory school with campuses in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Florida, offering education from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
