Job Description

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism: Director of Individual Giving

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Head of Development and working closely with the Advancement team consisting of the Executive Vice President, Head of Development, and Advancement Manager, the Director of Individual Giving is a new role responsible for soliciting and stewarding philanthropic gifts primarily of $2,500 and up to benefit the local and national programs and objectives of the Lenfest Institute. They will assist with developing and cultivating the donor pipeline, working closely with the team to develop thoughtful and strategic direction and engagement for donors and prospects to connect donors’ interests with The Institute’s priorities. Additionally, they will implement the activities of a newly expanded donor society that was created in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Institute.

The successful candidate must be a flexible and enthusiastic professional who is equally comfortable working autonomously and collaboratively, possessing a strong knowledge of the principles, ethics, and practices of successful fundraising. Preference will be given to candidates who live in the Philadelphia area.

The primary responsibilities include:

Donor Solicitation and Engagement

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 individual donors and prospects.
• Participate in major gift prospecting and execution for annual, endowment, and planned gifts, including individual donors and prospects.
• Strategize and assist with engagement efforts for individual donors, ensuring retention, continued growth and consistent stewardship.

• Work collaboratively across the organization, partnering with program staff to engage donors and report on the impact of restricted gifts.

Lenfest Donor Society

• Develop, implement and facilitate activities, events, and incentives for the giving society levels.
• Create campaigns, invitations and other resources as needed for each activity.
• Assist with anniversary events and investigate opportunities for retaining donors from those activities.
• Maintain donor levels and listings for public presentation.

Organizational Management:

• Uphold standards, procedures and tools that enable best practices in acknowledgement, recognition, and reporting for annual and endowment fundraising.
• Represent the Institute in convenings, meetings, and forums for the benefit of local news and fundraising as an industry practice.
• Participate in Board Advancement Committee, staff and team meetings.
• Provide and promote a positive institutional culture featuring teamwork, accountability, resourcefulness and a commitment to excellence; engage team members in development and advancement.
• Maintain Salesforce database including campaigns, MOVES management and other donor record updates as needed.
• Work collaboratively on other fundraising projects as needed.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree
• At least five years of successful, non-profit fundraising experience, or related experience in other sectors
• Demonstrated success developing and sustaining relationships with key donors/prospects, clients, volunteer leadership and staff
• Computer literacy including experience with donor management software

Required Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects or assignments simultaneously
• Demonstrated comfort in interacting with a diverse group of individuals both inside and outside of the Lenfest Institute
• Demonstrated flexibility, creativity, strategic-thinking skills, and intellectual curiosity
• Willingness to take initiative and to learn new best practices
• Must be able to travel (up to 25%) and work some evening and weekend hours

Employment Details 

The Lenfest Institute’s office is in Philadelphia, PA. Our staff currently works on a hybrid schedule with staff working in the office once per week on Wednesdays. We will prioritize candidates from the greater Philadelphia region but will also consider remote candidates from anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic or Northeast regions who can easily travel to Philadelphia on a weekly basis. This job may also include travel to conferences and other Institute events. The salary range for this position is $95,000-$110,000.

The Institute provides a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 23 days of paid time off, plus 10 corporate holidays, sick time, and a winter break the last week of the calendar year
• Medical, dental and vision benefits
• Retirement plan with generous employer contribution
• Paid parental leave
• Employer-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term insurance policies
• Professional development opportunities

About The Lenfest Institute for Journalism

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism is creating solutions for the next era of local news by investing in sustainable business models at the intersection of local journalism and community in Philadelphia and nationwide. With the guiding belief that quality news and information is essential to a healthy, just, vibrant democracy, The Lenfest Institute delivers training and support programs, provides grant funding and synthesizes best practices to develop and disseminate sustainable solutions to the business challenges facing local news providers. See  for more information on the Institute’s grants, programs, mission, and impact.

The Lenfest Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to apply so we can build a team that reflects the diversity of news organizations and journalism professionals we wish to serve. We view diversity as multi-dimensional and intersectional, encompassing race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, ability, class, geography, veteran status, lived experiences, and more.

We know there are excellent candidates who might not have all the skills and experience that we have outlined. If that describes you, please apply and tell us about yourself.

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, Live in, Work at office, Local area, Flexible hours, Weekend work, Afternoon shift, 1 day per week,

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