Position Summary

Southeastern Grassland Institute (SGI) is based out of Austin Peay State University College of STEM. Created in 2018, SGI conducts valuable scientific research, conservation, restoration and educational work in the southeastern region of the United States.

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy and general supervision of Vice President of Alumni, Engagement and Philanthropy, this position is charged with raising private gifts for SGI at Austin Peay State University. The Director of Philanthropy’s primary responsibility is to assist SGI’s Executive Director in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects by growing and managing an individual donor base capable of gifts in the $25,000+ range, foundations, and corporations. Philanthropic contributions to SGI will range from individual gifts, estate plans, corporate and foundation grants. The Director will be tasked with the development and implementation of an annual giving program to support the major donor pipeline. Additionally, this position will oversee the development of an endowment campaign to help sustain SGI’s general operations and programmatic needs.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist SGI Executive Director and senior leadership team to determine the mission, purpose and priorities of the organization as it relates to fundraising.
• Develop and execute an annual giving solicitation plan aimed at donors and prospects with the capacity to make gifts of up to $25,000. The Director will work with the SGI Communications Specialist to develop targeted appeals and campaigns to support the overall fundraising goals.
• Build and manage a major gift prospect base of qualified major gift prospects including corporations and foundations. The successful candidate should be prepared to aim for an initial annual goal of $1,000,000.
• Manage all major gifts functions, which will include planned giving, principal gifts, and special multi-year fundraising campaigns.
• Manage strategic initiatives through collaboration with stakeholders in order to enhance performance in accordance with short and long-term objectives.
• Produce relevant and informative fundraising literature for distribution to previous donors and the public.
• Ensure that programmatic commitments, SGI gift-related policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for ethical compliance as defined by Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
• Develop and implement a stewardship plan for donor acknowledgement and recognition.
• Plan fundraising events that effectively communicate the purposes of SGI.
• Acts as lead strategist for growth in the SGI network of philanthropic relationships.
• Assist with board development and coordination of board activities.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Demonstrated experience with donor relations at all levels from small-scale philanthropic organizations to large donors, requiring complex donor-relations skills.
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in major and small gift giving and solicitation.
• Knowledge of advanced gift planning concepts.
• Ability to act independently, resolve complex issues within the program area.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, Business, Public Relations, Communications or related field with experience in fundraising, sales, or business development;
• Demonstrated ability to work with various stakeholders at all levels to achieve common goals and objectives;
• Must have excellent communication skills, both in writing and in oral communication as well as excellent presentation abilities.
• Ability to work weekends, nights and travel when necessary;
• Ideal candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Candidate must show attention to detail and the ability to balance strategic and scheduled responsibilities.