Manager of Major Gifts

START DATE:

January 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

The priority deadline for applications is November 1st. Anything received after that date will be kept on file and considered if the position is not filled.

REPORTS TO:

Vice President of Development

LOCATION:

The Partnership team works in a hybrid capacity. This position will be based in Los Angeles and a combination of working remotely, in our Downtown LA office, and at Partnership schools.

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP FOR LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS

Launched in 2007, the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools’ mission is to transform schools to revolutionize school systems, empowering all students with a high-quality education. The Partnership is a non-profit, in-district partner to LA Unified, not a charter network. As an independent nonprofit organization, the Partnership serves 13,550 students across 20 LA Unified schools in Boyle Heights, South Los Angeles, and Watts. The Partnership works within the LA Unified School District context, which includes honoring all collective bargaining agreements for its teachers and school staff. To learn more about the Partnership, our mission, and how we approach our goals, please visit our website.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is seeking a Manager of Major Gifts. The Manager of Major Gifts is responsible for supporting the organization’s revenue and fundraising goals through developing and executing effective donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans. The Manager of Major Gifts will build strong relationships with potential and existing donors, and develop and implement solicitation strategies. They will also organize and participate in fundraising and donor cultivation events. The Manager of Major Gifts will oversee donor stewardship, ensuring donors are thanked, engaged, and informed, and accurate records are maintained. This is a full-time, year-round position.

The Partnership is committed to continuously building an anti-racist culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in classrooms and our home office. The Manager of Major Gifts will be someone who is committed to implementing these values in creative ways when executing day-to-day tasks and responsibilities.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Position responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Donor Management & Stewardship (50%):

• Develop, implement, and monitor stewardship plans for top donors to ensure sustained engagement and support, tailoring these plans to meet individual donor preferences and interests
• Develop and maintain strong, lasting relationships with major donors and prospects through personalized communication, meetings, and events, leveraging data-driven insights to customize interactions, ensuring they are informed and engaged with our work
• Draft compelling and customized proposals for major donors, clearly articulating the impact of their potential contributions and aligning with their interests and philanthropic goals
• Oversee donor stewardship communications, including gift acknowledgment letters and regular updates on the impact of donors’ contributions
• Collaborate with the Communications team to produce high-quality, personalized materials for donors
• Plan and execute memorable and meaningful school visits and other donor engagement experiences to showcase the impact of top donors’ contributions while highlighting specific outcomes and stories of impact
• Research, identify, and qualify prospective major gifts and donors, analyzing databases and utilizing wealth screening tools

Reporting and Data Management (30%):

• Manage and update the Partnership donor database, Raiser’s Edge NXT (RENXT), to maintain accurate records of donor cultivation and contributions, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality
• Track donor history and produce comprehensive reports on fundraising progress, providing actionable insights to the Development Team to inform strategy and decision-making
• Develop detailed briefs for major gifts and meetings, synthesizing relevant donor information, engagement history, and strategic recommendations
• Analyze fundraising data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement, supporting continuous enhancement of major gift strategies
• Collaborate with the Finance Team to ensure accurate recording and reporting of donations, aligning with financial reconciliations and audit requirements
• Maintain regular backups of donor data and ensure compliance with data protection regulations and best practices

Teaming & Collaboration (20%):

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors, E-Team, Communications, and program teams to align donor engagement strategies with organizational messaging and programmatic outcomes
• Develop and implement training programs for staff and school-site personnel to become Partnership ambassadors, equipping them to effectively communicate the impact of our organization and how their roles support our mission

POSITION FIRST-YEAR PRIORITIES

A successful first year in this role will look like:

• Established Relationships: Develop strong, trust-based relationships with key major donors and prospects, resulting in increased engagement and support.
• Strategic Stewardship Plans: Successfully implement personalized stewardship plans for top donors, leading to sustained and enhanced donor retention.
• Proposal Success: Draft and secure funding through compelling, well-researched proposals tailored to the interests and philanthropic goals of major donors.
• Data Management Excellence: Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in Raiser’s Edge NXT (RENXT), ensuring data integrity and actionable insights for the development team.
• Impactful Donor Experiences: Plan and execute memorable donor engagement activities, including school visits and events, that effectively showcased the impact of contributions.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, or related field of work
• Previous experience in major gift fundraising or a similar role is strongly preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas simply and succinctly
• Strong project management skills required
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is preferred
• Proficiency in database management is a plus (Partnership uses Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge NXT)
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail
• Adaptable with shifting priorities and competing demands
• Ability to work collaboratively across differences in work styles and skill sets
• Strong computer and technology skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is preferred
• The ability to travel between school sites and Partnership home office
• Spanish language fluency (spoken and written), preferred
• Working understanding of K-12 public education sector, preferred
• A deep belief in the power of our communities, as well as the Partnership’s mission, approach, and core values
• A commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment for all team members
• A willingness to learn, grow, and model the Partnership competencies: Anti-racism, root cause analysis, long-term thinking, teaming and collaboration, psychological safety, and learning and growth

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The starting salary range for external candidates is $76,606-82,079. The Partnership’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to our compensation practices. Our goal is to ensure that salaries are fair for all staff members who hold many intersectional identities, and we set salaries based on a robust compensation model grounded in consistency and transparency. The exact salary for this position is dependent on the relevant skills and experiences that the candidate brings to the role.

The Partnership also offers a robust benefits package including employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents; a 403(b) retirement program with employee match and vesting; parental and sabbatical leaves; a professional development allowance; and generous paid time off. Details can be found here.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Please prepare your resume and a cover letter tailored to this position. You will submit your documents and application via this link.

Research shows that women and individuals from systemically marginalized communities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications. While this job description outlines the major responsibilities and requirements to be successful in this role, the Partnership is committed to considering all applicants who are passionate about our mission and can see themselves excelling in this role – including those with diverse and non-traditional work experience.

For technical assistance or support for applying with a disability, please contact the Home Office Talent Team.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

Partnership for LA Schools is a contractor with the Los Angeles Unified School District and has implemented a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Policy. All new employees are required to be fully vaccinated a week before their start date unless they are approved for an accommodation due to a medical reason or because of a sincerely held religious belief.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to – and actively pursues – diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. The Partnership prohibits discrimination based on race (including traits historically associated with race such as hairstyle), creed, color, religion, registered domestic partner status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship status, age, military and veteran status, medical condition, genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy or childbirth, physical disability or mental disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance or regulation. The Partnership also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of these characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, training, transfer, wages, benefits, termination, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.