About our School:
Milton Academy is an independent college preparatory K–12 school, boarding and day in grades 9–12, located south of Boston.
Milton Academy cultivates in our students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Milton students grow by developing their own identities, learning from and listening to the lived experiences of others, and living and working among peers whose differences they accept with respect and care.
In our ongoing work to create the anti-racist environment at Milton—free from bias, injustice, and bigotry—that our values demand, we encourage each other to explore our own histories and identities, be open to learning from others, seek to understand the world around us with a critical lens, and strive to practice ways of interacting with one another that ensure all students and adults feel safe, supported, and able to express all aspects of their identities without judgment or hate.
In our dynamic community, we honor that Milton students challenge each other to build a foundation upon which to leave Milton and partner with their future communities to help create a more just world and in those spaces that are dissonant to our values, to have the courage to speak up and live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”
Summary of Position:
The Development and Alumni Relations Office seeks an experienced, strategic, pro-active, results-oriented development professional to serve as Director of Planned Giving who will work closely with the Chief Advancement Officer, Director of Development, Leadership/Annual Gift Officers, the Head of School, high-level volunteers including trustees, and other members of the development team.
The Director of Planned Giving works with a portfolio of high-capacity planned giving donors and prospects; possesses a deep, current, and accurate knowledge all aspects of planned giving including but not limited to bequests, annuities, trusts, and the pooled income fund; broadly and strategically markets the planned giving program; increases membership and stewards the legacy society; and fields any/all questions from colleagues and donors related to gift planning.
The Director of Planned Giving will enjoy a renewed culture of philanthropy at Milton resulting from a successful $175 million capital campaign and significant marketing investments. The Director will play a key role in building the next chapter of philanthropy at Milton.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Advance the success of Milton’s fundraising program through a robust and pro-active planned giving program.
- Develop a working knowledge of Milton Academy in general and funding priorities specifically to articulate a compelling case for support to all constituents.
- Set clear goals for cultivation strategies for prospects and execute such strategies that result in the highest level ask for the Academy’s fundraising priorities; focus on building long-term relationship with top prospects and donors.
- Participate in short- and long-term strategic planning for the planned gifts program based on data-driven metrics and marketing factors; bring best practices to the planned giving program.
- Manage the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a portfolio of approximately 150 planned giving/leadership gift prospects; prioritize 1:1 contact (in person, when possible) with prospects; meet robust visit and solicitation metrics; maintain complete and timely records of contacts with prospects and volunteers; will require some travel.
- Promote, enhance, and significantly increase membership (up to 15% or more annually) within the School’s legacy society; steward members, in partnership with Donor Relations.
- Provide leadership and facilitate relationships between planned gift prospects and the Head of School, faculty, and key volunteer leaders.
- Collaborate with a team of Leadership/Annual Gift officers; educate and train them to be well versed in their understanding of planned giving; identify and qualify additional prospects by working independently and with colleagues; actively participate in prospect management meetings.
- Create and execute gift planning marketing plan, including special mailings, a website presence, and other special events for key constituencies; widen marketing initiatives to educate and persuade younger alumni to include Milton in their earliest estate planning; includes work with outside vendors and collaboration with development’s Director of Advancement Communications and Donor Relations.
- Play an active role in senior reunion classes (40th and older) as well as other milestone reunions, such as the 25th, to increase membership in legacy society.
- Manage volunteer solicitors and serve as staff liaison to volunteer fundraising committees, as appropriate; recruit and support volunteer leaders.
- Serve as a liaison with legal counsel to ensure program and/or specific gifts are in compliance.
- Responsible for overseeing a planned giving budget.
- Assist the Chief Advancement Officer and Director of Development with other assignments, as needed.
Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree; 8 years of development experience, including significant and successful planned gift fundraising with a proven track record of high-level solicitations; management experience in a senior-level capacity with a complex not-for-profit organization; ability to engage and train colleagues; expert knowledge of PGCalc. Development experience in an academic environment and knowledge of Raiser’s Edge is preferred.
Milton Academy welcomes candidates who would add to the racial, cultural and gender balance of the School community. Milton Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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