Director of Philanthropy, Bos

Organization Profile: 

Founded in 1999, BUILD’s mission is to use entrepreneurship to ignite the power of youth in under-resourced communities to build Career success, Entrepreneurial mindsets, and Opportunity. BUILD helps students become the CEO of their own lives. We believe in the potential of every student and are dedicated to breaking down the educational, economic, and social barriers that stand in the way of their long-term success. We have a bold vision to triple the number of students we serve and seek a dynamic leader to help us meet that vision.

 

Our unique program offers high school students a four-year entrepreneurship experience where students launch real businesses and build 21st century skills. Our curriculum focuses on teaching collaboration, communication, problem-solving, innovation, grit, and self-management. Entrepreneurship is the hook; college, career, and life success are the goals. 97% of BUILD seniors have graduated from high school on time, and over 80% go on to college. Upon completion of the program in high school, students have the opportunity to stay connected through BUILD’s Alumni Program offerings.

With a budget of approximately $15M and a team of over 60 people, we currently serve approximately 2,000 high school students annually in New York City, Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh. We are continuing to grow our national footprint through our new digital offerings that have enabled us to reach over 100 cities across the country. Our staff have trained nearly 400 educators, and over 12,000 youth have participated in our digital BUILD Design Challenge since its launch in 2020.

For more information on BUILD, please visit our web site at www.build.org and view our Annual Report here.

 

Our Culture:

BUILD is made up of a diverse, results driven and passionate team who believe in the potential of every student and the power of entrepreneurship to transform the education landscape. We work in a collaborative environment where perseverance, flexibility, and an entrepreneurial spirit are encouraged and celebrated. Our culture thrives by embracing diversity, equity and inclusion, including cross-cultural understanding. Kindness, empathy and respect are at the forefront of the way we treat each other, our students, our teachers and our supporters. We believe in the potential of every student and are dedicated to breaking down the educational, economic and social barriers that stand in the way of their long-term success.  The remarkable young men and women whom we serve are at the center of everything we do. We are intentional about our culture so that we can best support them.

 

Position Summary:

BUILD Boston is at an exciting moment in its history, as it expands to new schools in the Greater Boston region and plans for expansion throughout New England.  This expansion has been made possible with a strong track record of fundraising and donor stewardship.  Thanks to this work we have long-standing partnerships with foundations, corporations and individuals and have generated over 12 months of reserves.  The successful candidate will inherit a robust pipeline where 70% is already pledged and secured for the year and nearly 20% of the pipeline is made up of multi-year commitments.

 

The Director of Philanthropy (DOP) will play a key role in facilitating BUILD Boston’s continued expansion through leading, designing and implementing BUILD Boston annual and long-range strategy for securing philanthropic support from foundations, corporations, individuals, and events.  With a regional annual goal of $1,900,000, the DOP is responsible for the strategy and implementation of the full donor lifecycle from identification through stewardship, allowing us to serve our teachers, students and school leaders in the Greater Boston area.  As part of this work, the DOP will get to work with an engaged Advisory and Associate Board made up of leaders from a range of different sectors.

 

The Director of Philanthropy partners with the Program Director and Regional Executive Director on setting the region’s priorities and strategies, monitoring progress to goals, making decisions about resources, and fostering a healthy and high performing culture.  This position is for mission- and values-aligned professionals who are both strategists and implementers, who lead with kindness and thoughtfulness and thrive in  a high-energy, entrepreneurial environment where innovation and creativity are valued and expected.

 

This position will report to the BUILD Boston Regional Executive Director (RED). The Director of Philanthropy supervises 2 FTEs.  A part-time Boston grantwriter reports to the National Manager of Grants and Foundation Relations, but coordinates closely with the DOP to ensure alignment of all proposals and reporting.

 

Position Responsibilities:

 

• In collaboration with the Regional Executive Director, raise the BUILD Boston annual operating budget and pre-raise at least 25% of the subsequent year’s budget, which is expected to be approximately $2,000,000 in FY24.
• Lead the development function for BULD Boston.
• Collaborate internally on special projects and provide leadership on cross-functional teams.
• Supervise and develop the Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships, Individual Donor Manager and Part-Time Grant Writer.

 

Strategy and Planning

• Collaborate with the Regional Executive Director in the strategic advancement of the organization through the creation of a multi-year development plan that will facilitate the sustainable expansion of BUILD Boston.
• Create donor lifecycle strategies for all revenue streams.
• Collaborate with Program colleagues on fundraising activities and strategic site visits.

 

Implementation

• Oversee the implementation of the corporate and foundation engagement strategy to identify new prospects and steward multifaceted partnerships that yield funding sources, sustainable pipelines of volunteers who work with our students, in-kind donations , and event space.
• Oversee the implementation of the individual giving strategy to ensure effective management of the donor lifecycle from identification through stewardship.
• Support the Regional Executive Director’s major individual donor ($10,000+) portfolio including  those members of BUILD Boston’s Local Advisory Board.

 

Personnel Management and Development

• Provide high-quality supervision and professional development coaching to the members of the Development Team to ensure attainment of their role-related goals and professional development objectives.

 

Measuring Success

• By July 1, 2023, the DOP is expected to have led the team to raise and collect on the total $1.9M FY23 pipeline, and pre-raised $500,000 of the FY24 pipeline.
• By January 1 2024, the DOP is expected to have led the team to secure two thirds of the $2M FY24 pipeline.

 

Candidate Requirements:

• At least 8 years of related experience with demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting and closing gifts of at least $10,000 from a variety of constituents.
• Prior successful experience designing and implementing comprehensive fundraising plans raising over $1,000,000 from diverse revenue streams  including individuals, corporate donors, and events.
• Experience engaging board members in fundraising activities and stewarding board member relationships.
• Ability to develop systems, practices and operations that reflect best practices in fundraising and personnel management.
• Strong familiarity with the philanthropic community in the Greater Boston area.
• Strong commitment to youth and education.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt easily to changing situations as they arise.
• Successful experience working with volunteer leaders and program staff to ensure an integrated, organized effort, as well as goal oriented accomplishments.
• Ability to use Raiser’s Edge to produce pipeline reports and successfully steward donor relationships.
• BUILD requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees. Reasonable Accommodations based on a qualifying medical exemption or sincerely held religious belief are being considered in accordance with applicable law.

 

Successful candidates will demonstrate BUILD’s Core Values and competencies through a combination of previous education/work experiences:

 

BUILD’s Core Values:

• Keep Students at the Center – As BUILDers, we hold an unwavering passionate commitment and belief in the power and potential of youth.  Our organization exists to serve students. We seize each opportunity to contribute to the foundation of knowledge, skills, and networks from which students can build extraordinary lives. Our operating principles and decisions focus on what is in the best interest of our students.
• Bring the Spark – As BUILDers, we excel in the entrepreneurial Spark Skills that we teach our students – Communication, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Innovation, Grit and Self-Management. We communicate through transparent and honest dialogue. We cherish teamwork, tenacity, and thinking outside the box. We demonstrate a relentless pursuit of excellence and approach work with a positive can do attitude. When we bring the spark we achieve great things together, and we model the way for our students.
• Bridge Communities – As BUILDers, we develop and foster relationships in service of creating access and opportunities for our students, staff, and stakeholders. We value all who come to the table as partners to maximize our collective impact. By connecting the communities in which we work, we build empathy, equity, and social capital. 
• Promote Diversity and Social Action – As BUILDers, we understand that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion matters, but what matters even more is Action. We strive to create equity of voice, access, influence and power across lines of difference – both in and beyond BUILD, specifically for groups that have been historically denied social and economic justice. If we are not part of the solution, then we are part of the problem. We welcome, celebrate, and embrace the unique expressions and contributions of us all – our backgrounds, race, ethnicity, gender, language, sexual orientation, and social class.

 

Role Specific Competencies:

 

• Interpersonal Skills – Use a variety of techniques, as appropriate, to connect with others to build positive relationships.
• Leadership – Influence, inspire, guide, and direct a project or group of people towards a defined vision or goal.
• Strategic Thinking – Take into account and analyze various points of view/relationships and pieces of data to form a perspective appropriate to a particular context/network.
• Targeting Message to Audience –  Ascertain the priorities of a particular individual or group and craft persuasive written and verbal communication given those priorities.
• Thoroughness – Ensure that one’s own and others’ work and information are complete and accurate; carefully prepare for meetings and presentations; follow up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled.
• Written Communication – Excellent written communication skills and ability to articulate a compelling case for major philanthropic support of programs, present organizational objectives persuasively, and translate strategic concepts into compelling fundraising collateral.

 

Position Details:

• Full Time/Exempt
• Location: Must be within the Greater Boston area. This role works largely in a hybrid capacity but external meetings and events require travel within Greater Boston
• Occasional national travel to other locations in the continental U.S. is required during the year for staff retreats and meetings

 

Compensation:

The salary for Director of Philanthropy ranges from $115,000-$125,000 in accordance with BUILD’s equity focused salary bands.  BUILD offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees.  This includes employer paid medical, dental & vision coverage, flexible spending accounts (FSA), employer paid life insurance, and a 403(b) plan with match.  In addition, eligible BUILD employees qualify for generous vacation, sick, paid Federal holidays, and December 24 through January 1 off, a flexible work environment, professional development and additional stipends for stretch projects.

 

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume.  BUILD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At BUILD, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!