Director of Philanthropy
Temple Isaiah, a thriving Reform Judaism congregation in Lexington, Massachusetts, seeks a Director of Philanthropy to join our senior leadership team. With more than 750 households from Lexington and surrounding communities, Temple Isaiah is an innovative, relationship-centered congregation with a healthy endowment and a growing culture of philanthropic support among highly committed congregants.
Temple Isaiah seeks an experienced philanthropic professional with a passion for nonprofit excellence. As a member of Temple Isaiah’s senior leadership team, the Director of Philanthropy will create, execute, and evaluate all philanthropic strategies with a donor-centered philosophy to ensure a diverse and sustainable revenue portfolio in support of the temple’s mission.
This is an exciting time to join our team! This past July, Temple Isaiah hired our new senior rabbi, a dynamic leader with deep and broad experience and the ability to, in short order, invigorate and inspire the Isaiah community. In addition, we recently completed a successful endowment campaign, where we raised over $10M in honor of the temple’s former senior rabbi.
Overall Responsibilities
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Philanthropy will work in close partnership with the Senior Staff, the VP Philanthropy, VP Finance and Board President, to build relationships and secure financial support through a combination of direct solicitation of congregant gifts, managing the annual fund, growing major gifts and continuing to build a culture of philanthropy across the congregation. Temple Isaiah is fortunate to have built a strong endowment over the years. Moving forward, the Director of Philanthropy will find new and creative ways to continue to engage those congregants who have supported us so generously over the years while attracting new donors.
Deliverables
This is a hands-on role for an ambitious, creative, and growth-oriented philanthropy professional who is ready and eager to plan, manage, and lead the execution of a dynamic and highly engaged synagogue’s fundraising and philanthropic activities. The successful candidate will:
- Partner with lay leadership, the senior rabbi and the Director of Finance to translate the temple’s financial needs into a short and long-term strategic philanthropic plan.
- Deliver the annual philanthropic goals as outlined in the annual operating plan and budget.
- Create a multi-level Case for Support.
- Increase congregants’ financial literacy, helping them understand our need for both long-term endowment giving and short-term current use giving.
- Partner with staff and lay leaders to build a vision and strategy for the temple’s upcoming capital campaigns.
- Prepare written proposals, gift agreements, and other documents to define, secure, steward, and document major gifts.
- Manage and coordinate cultivation and stewardship that includes one-on-one conversations, events, regular communications and reports, and other initiatives to engage and inform prospective donors.
- Work closely with, and support, clergy and lay leaders with their ongoing donor engagement and gift solicitations.
- Manage the gift acknowledgment process, ensuring timely and appropriate follow-up.
- Creatively direct and execute other philanthropic projects as opportunities arise.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- 7-10 years’ experience in fundraising with demonstrated success working directly with donors and prospective donors (from community campaign to major gifts), ideally in a dynamic and high-potential capital campaign environment.
- Experience working as part of a senior leadership team.
- Experience in the faith-based philanthropy sector welcomed.
Skills
- A successful track record in executing strategy, setting priorities, managing multiple projects and working effectively under pressure to achieve individual and organizational goals.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a highly matrixed and collaborative environment, with a “can-do” willingness to roll up sleeves and get work done, from the big picture to the details.
- Proven interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Comfort working with a diverse congregation and multiple levels of donors.
- Strong technology proficiency, with skills including Microsoft Office and Google Drive platform.
- Facility with database management best practices, with experience using ShulCloud preferred.
- Passionate about mission-driven work, interested in the work of a house of worship, and in working with a deeply engaged membership, lay leaders, and clergy.
- Knowledge and understanding of Judaism and Jewish communal life preferred.
Working Conditions
- The Director of Philanthropy position is a hybrid position. The Director will meet with congregants across the temple’s catchment area in person and remotely. Occasional work will be required on evenings and weekends.
Compensation and Benefits
- This is a full-time position (37 hours/week).
- The salary range is $110,000-$125,000 and will be commensurate with experience.
- Our comprehensive benefit package includes medical and dental insurance, a 403(b)-retirement plan, as well as vacation and paid sick time.
- Temple Isaiah is closed for up to 11 federal holidays and 8 Jewish holidays, and closes at 2:00 pm on Friday.
- Temple Isaiah is an equal opportunity employer.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected].
Temple Isaiah: Deepening Lives, Inspiring Purpose, Together.