Director of Philanthropy

Director of Philanthropy

**Position Summary:**
The Director of Philanthropy, reporting directly to the CEO, leads the Katz JCC’s fundraising program and is responsible for growing the philanthropic support that sustains the JCC and its programs. In this role, the Director will have the exciting, rare opportunity to build a development and philanthropy department and process from scratch. This person will own the annual development plan; manage and develop our CRM and other development-focused IT; oversee the grants and donor portfolios; partner with lay leadership on cultivation and solicitation; build a culture of philanthropy across JTeam members (i.e., staff members) and board; and lead stewardship and acknowledgments, legacy giving, corporate sponsorships, and a future capital campaign (in partnership with a consultant), among other responsibilities. While this role does not initially include direct supervision, we hope this individual can build and grow the department. This is a newly created, director-level position focused on fundraising. It does not carry organization-wide administrative or executive responsibilities.

**Fundraising Strategy & Planning:**
• Develop and execute an annual philanthropy plan, including specific revenue goals by source, totaling $750K.
• Grow the number of new donors by 10% year over year through a deliberate mix of events, digital outreach, and community and program-participant conversion.
• Within the first six months, establish baseline donor metrics, including donor counts, retention, average gift size, and revenue by source, and achieve overall and first-year donor retention rates that exceed national benchmarks by the end of year two.
• Identify new opportunities for support through major gifts, annual giving, sponsorships, and institutional funders, and recommend initiatives to diversify revenue.
• Develop and regularly update the Katz JCC’s case for support, ensuring it reflects current strategic priorities and informs all donor-facing materials.
• Monitor fundraising results against goals, analyze data and trends, and adjust strategy accordingly.

**Major Gifts & Donor Relations:**
• Devote approximately 50% of time to building and personally managing a portfolio of 40–50 major and high-capacity donors, conducting cultivation meetings, solicitations, and stewardship independently and alongside the CEO and lay leaders.
• Engage board members and lay leaders in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors.
• Hold a minimum of eight donor meetings per month.
• Serve as an ambassador for the Katz JCC in the Jewish and broader Atlantic County communities and with regional philanthropic partners.

**Campaigns, Grants & Events:**
• Develop and lead an annual campaign in partnership with lay leadership, including year-end giving and direct mail efforts.
• Manage and oversee Life & Legacy, as well as endowment development and growth.
• Develop and manage capital campaign materials, including naming and dedication opportunities and supporting marketing materials.
• Identify and pursue government, corporate, and foundation funding; write compelling proposals; and oversee deadlines, reporting, and renewals using an active grant tracking system.
• Plan and manage signature special events, including but not limited to the Golf Tournament (in partnership with Jewish Family Service of Atlantic County), the Arts, Books and Culture Festival, Sports Night, and Summer Series, as well as cultivation events for donors and corporate partners.
• Collaborate with marketing on fundraising messaging, donor communications, and campaign materials.

**Operations, Data & Accountability:**
• Use Bloomerang (our CRM) to track every donor and prospect interaction, solicitation, and next step, keeping moves management data accurate and current.
• Stay up to date with the latest tech developments in the field of philanthropy and development.
• Uphold the gift acceptance policy and ethical and legal fundraising standards, overseeing gift processing, donor acknowledgments, and tax receipting.
• Implement a stewardship calendar and a first-gift welcome process, so every donor receives timely, personal acknowledgment and impact updates.
• Develop and manage the philanthropy department’s annual budget, tracking fundraising expenses and return on investment.
• Safeguard donor information in accordance with data-privacy best practices and organizational policy.
• Prepare monthly progress reports for the CEO and board committees, tracking results against goals by revenue source, with additional reporting as requested.
• Recruit and manage volunteers, work with lay committees, and supervise philanthropy JTeam members as the department grows.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO.

**Required Qualifications:**
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Five or more years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, including a proven record of securing major gifts.
• Experience planning and executing annual campaigns and fundraising events.
• Proven ability to build lasting partnerships with donors, board members, volunteers, and staff.
• Track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals and deadlines in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that values teamwork, respect, and excellence.
• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution across multiple priorities.
• Highly organized, with proven project management and time management skills.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with confidence in public speaking.
• Proficiency with donor databases and Microsoft 365, with the ability to turn data into clear, actionable reports.
• Strong sense of ethics and propriety, consistent with the AFP Code of Ethical Standards.

**Preferred Qualifications:**
• Experience in Jewish communal work and understanding of Jewish culture and the Jewish philanthropic landscape.
• Experience and comfort with use of AI in the field of development and philanthropy.
• Experience with legacy giving, capital campaigns, and/or Life & Legacy.
• Grant writing experience with foundations, corporations, and government funders.

**Working Conditions:**
• Availability for evening and weekend events, meetings, and donor visits.
• Local and regional travel for donor meetings and community events; occasional travel to conferences.

**Compensations & Benefits:**
• Salary range of $90,000 – $110,000, commensurate with experience.
• Free Katz JCC Family Membership.
• JTeam member discounts on Early Childhood tuition, Day Camp, and Katz JCC programs.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Paid sick leave and paid vacation.
• Paid holidays.
• New Jersey Short-Term Disability (STD).
• Professional development opportunities and support.

How to Apply:
Please submit a résumé and cover letter to Rabbi Jeremy Weisblatt, CEO, at [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

**EEOC & Accommodations Statement:**
The Katz JCC is dedicated to Equal Employment Opportunity. We provide equal opportunities based on merit and ability, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship and veteran’s status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, or any other prohibited factor. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible for employment, provided they can perform essential job functions after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If accommodation poses undue hardship, eligibility may be reconsidered.