Posted on June 29, 2012

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Director, Individual Giving

Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) is the nation's largest and oldest non-profit organization working to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Since its founding in 1978, SAGE has developed and provided a wide array of social and community-based services in New York City, including case management, individual and group counseling, as well as some of the nation's first programs dedicated to LGBT older adults living with HIV, and Friendly Visiting for the homebound (among others). In addition, SAGE is the preeminent national voice for LGBT aging issues, leading federal discussion and advocacy in Washington, DC, providing informational and educational tools to LGBT older people nationwide, and offering training and technical assistance to professionals and service providers across the country. SAGE has a growing national network of 21 affiliates (in 15 states and Washington, DC) and is the lead organization on the historic and path-breaking National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, the country's first and only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to LGBT older adults. SAGE continually leads cutting-edge efforts and achieves major policy wins for LGBT older adults.

DESCRIPTION: SAGE is seeking a full-time Director, Individual Giving who is responsible for overseeing the Individual Giving Program at SAGE which includes external relations initiatives related to SAGE’s efforts to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward: major and planned giving donors and prospects, direct mail and other annual donors as well as members. These initiatives will be expected to meet or exceed budgeted revenue goals. The ideal candidate will be looking for a position in a fast moving organization with opportunities to build a national individual fundraising team. Key to this position will be growing our major donor portfolio in NYC, DC, LA, Chicago and South Florida.

The Director, Individual Giving plays an integral role in a relationship-based and donor-centered approach to build a sustainable base of philanthropic support for SAGE. The Director, Individual Giving will develop and implement annual work plans and execute tactics to ensure individuals supporting SAGE are engaged across media and focus on moving relationships toward a philanthropic result benefiting SAGE. The Director, Individual Giving will function as a highly involved member of a dedicated, hard working and fast moving development team. The Director, Individual Giving should be adept at working with individuals across SAGE departments and throughout LGBT communities who represent a diversity of identities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Major Giving (Investors Circle): Unrestricted Annual Gifts of $1,500 or more

• Oversee SAGE’s relationship management system by working with board members and staff to ensure major giving prospect and donor portfolios are being actively cultivated, solicited and stewarded
• Manage the board of directors’ Investors Circle Subcommittee to utilize volunteers in the growth of Investors Circle clubs in key, strategic regions throughout the nation
• Execute quarterly stewardship mailings to major gift prospects and donors and twice-annual direct mail solicitations to major gift prospects
• Work with senior staff (the Senior Director - Development, Board and Executive Director) to coordinate face-to-face cultivation, solicitation, renewal and stewardship actions for top-tier major donors and prospects. Steward planned giving and major donors through personal visits, email and telephone calls, written proposals and events, documenting actions as appropriate.
• Develop a personal portfolio of prospects for cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Cultivate relationships with prospective donors at all levels with the hope of securing them as a member of Investors Circle and Taylor Society.
• Draft solicitation and acknowledgement letters.
• Manage and update portfolio through database management (Raiser’s Edge).
• Participate in major and minor fundraising events.
• Other responsibilities, including coordinating other special projects, as assigned by the Senior Director, Development.

Planned Giving: Taylor Society

• Grow and track membership in SAGE’s planned giving stewardship and recognition society, Taylor Society
• Work directly with planned giving prospects in their efforts to name SAGE a beneficiary of a variety of planned giving mechanisms
• Build positive relations with planned giving donors’ estate trustees and attorneys upon maturation of planned gifts
• Educate the community about planned giving strategies that benefit constituents and SAGE by planning 2-3 planned giving seminars annually
• Author or edit cultivation and educational articles for SAGE’s primary, printed communications vehicle – SAGE Matters( utilizing volunteer attorneys and financial planners as needed)
• Execute 1-2 solicitation mailings annually encouraging planned giving prospects to disclose their intent or further discuss their estate plans
• Manage the board of directors’ planned giving subcommittee to utilize expert volunteers in the growth of Taylor Society membership
• Demonstrate a highly developed working knowledge of planned giving strategies and tactics

Individual Giving and Membership (Unrestricted Gifts of $1,499 or less):

• Oversee the Direct Mail Program to attract new members and donors, retain existing members and donors, and build a pipeline to the major gifts program.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate must possess tremendous verbal and written communications skills. This individual will adhere to the highest ethical standards; demonstrate empathy and perseverance; reflect an optimistic attitude in representing SAGE to external stakeholders; and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors. This individual should have 5-7 years of individual giving or relative experience. Bachelor’s degree required. Strong Microsoft Office and PC proficiency required. Comfort working with diverse stakeholders and within a pluralistic environment required. Candidates with experience using Raiser’s Edge or comparable database software preferred. Direct mail experience preferred. Experience working with the LGBT community, older adults or on issues that address the needs of these communities is preferred.

Compensation:

Salary is commensurate with experience. Excellent employer-paid benefits package, generous vacation.

Application Instructions

APPLICATION: Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications by July 31, 2012 but applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Send cover letter and resume by email only to: kcox@sageusa.org. Please indicate, "Director, Individual Giving" in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 31, 2012

SAGE is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, citizenship status, marital status, HIV serostatus, sexual orientation, veteran status, height, weight, or disability.

Women, older adults, people of color, transgender and gender non-conforming people, poor and low-income people, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

We offer competitive salaries and benefits, as well as an exciting and unique work environment.

To learn more about SAGE, visit us on the web at www.sageusa.org