Director of Major and Planned Gifts

Columbus Academy, recognized as a premier independent school in the nation, is seeking a Director of Major and Planned Gifts (Director) to lead a comprehensive major gifts and planned giving program. As the school embarks on a significant period of growth, this externally focused fundraiser will be responsible for building and managing a portfolio of prospects, deepening relationships with donors, and developing new philanthropic connections to increase long-term support.

Reporting to the Assistant Head of School for Development, the Director will employ industry best practices in moves management and the donor gift cycle, ensuring a data-driven and relationship-centered approach to philanthropy. The ideal candidate will be strategic, proactive, and creative in identifying opportunities to expand philanthropic revenue while enhancing donor engagement and stewardship.

This is an exciting opportunity to assist in strengthening a major gifts and planned giving program, creating a lasting impact on the future of Columbus Academy.

Position Description

Columbus Academy seeks a Director of Major and Planned Gifts. The individual selected for this position will be expected to carry out the following:

• Develop and grow a sustainable major gifts program, aligning donor strategies with the school's long-term fundraising goals.
• Build and manage a portfolio of major and planned giving prospects and donors to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward.
• Develop written proposals, illustrations, and gift agreements, and other donor communications.
• Regularly and in a timely manner document prospect and donor contacts.
• Provide regular reports on prospect management and fundraising results.
• Involve appropriate campus constituents and volunteers in gift conversations.
• Train others, including fundraising staff, on planned giving, including proper documentation and recording of planned gifts.
• Manage the Director of Alumni Relations and collaborate with that position on the 50th Reunion Class program to raise major and planned gifts towards the class reunion goal.
• With Donor Relations, manage programming for the Columbus Academy Legacy Society, the giving society for planned gift donors.
• Attend some school events, including Convocation and Commencement, as well as other evening and weekend events as needed.
• Local travel within the state of Ohio to visit prospects and donors, with some national travel.

• Bachelor’s degree, with a JD strongly preferred.

Qualifications

Preferred candidates will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, with a JD strongly preferred
• 5-7 years of frontline fundraising experience, preferably at an independent school, college, university, or nonprofit organization.
• 5-7 years of fundraising experience in raising major gifts ($50,000+) and in planned giving.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in soliciting and closing planned gifts, including wills, trusts, gifts via beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities charitable remainder trusts.
• Experience discussing legacy giving or estate planning with donors and/or their affiliated professional advisors.
• Prior demonstrated experience in moves management, the donor gift cycle, and industry best practices for fundraising.
• Experience working with Board members, volunteers, and school leadership to advance fundraising goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and strategic in approach.
• Proficiency in Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Prior experience in a multi-year fundraising campaign.

Physical Conditions

Candidates must be able to manage the following conditions:

• A fast-paced office environment requiring a high level of accuracy, a commitment to outstanding service, and the ability to effectively multitask
• Occasional additional hours as needed to meet required deadlines
• A non-smoking environment