Director of Major Gifts

Director of Major Gifts

Director of Major Gifts 150 150 USFA
United States Fencing Association
Published
May 17, 2023
Location
Colorado, New York Metro, San Francisco Metro - but location is flexible for the right applicant.
Job Type
Contact Name (not public)
Tabitha Chamberlin
Main Phone
719-634-7506

Description

USA Fencing / U.S. Fencing Foundation — Director of Major Gifts


Position title
: Director of Major Gifts
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Note: Priority will be given to applications received by May 31, 2023.
Based: Preference for applicants living in Colorado, New York Metro, San Francisco Metro - but location is flexible for the right applicant.

Work in the exciting, fast-paced, collaborative world of sports at USA Fencing, the national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of fencing in the United States.

The role of Director of Major Gifts is to focus on growing, managing, and delivering Major Gifts to the US Fencing Foundation.

The ideal candidate brings a passion for the Foundation’s mission, is entrepreneurial, innovative, and practical with strong business acumen and proven experience leading and growing a similar Foundation leading an annual raise of $2m in total dollars raised or more during the initial period of employment.

 

To be clear, this role is ultimately about bringing financial tools to the sport of Fencing to allow us to fulfill our mission and strategic plan while developing outstanding positive and constructive relationships. This role is not easy, and requires a driven, creative thinker.

The role requires significant collaboration with an existing fellow development professional who oversees our Annual Fund, Events and Hospitality functions amongst other areas as well as collaboration with colleagues across Finance, Communications & DEIB, Sport Performance, Membership Service & Growth, Athlete Safety & Compliance, and the Executive Office.

USA Fencing particularly encourages applications from diverse individuals with relevant experience as detailed below.

Responsibilities

Fundraising

  • Responsible for generating hyper year-over-year growth in the Foundation, led by major gifts.
  • Develop, in collaboration with the CEO, rest of Development team and Trustees, laying outgrowth strategies and tactics to establish the Foundation as a best-in-class annual fundraising organization, focused on major gifts.
  • Create and implement fundraising campaigns to identify, cultivate and steward major gifts, including planning giving opportunities.
  • Enhance and implement consistent donor benefits, perks, and stewardship.

Business Operations

  • Collaborate with, and form outstanding relationships with, with all Trustees, committees, as well as fellow teammates within USA Fencing.
  • In conjunction with the USA Fencing finance team, development team and CEO, support budget development, monthly review of financial statements.
  • Lead grant funding and expense reconciliations including working with the USA Fencing finance team on available funding.
  • Other duties and functions as needed, and as assigned by the CEO.

Required Experience and Competencies

  • Minimum two years of experience of Major Gift development.
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject or equivalent direct experience.
  • A commitment to a positive, mutually supportive, creative, work environment and strong, open, collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
  • A commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
  • A passion for both able-bodied and Para sport.
  • Significant proven development experience focused on major gifts.
  • Extremely personable with excellent verbal and written and public speaking skills.
  • Experience growing, stewarding, and maintaining relationships with parents, alumni, athletes, coaches across a spectrum of demographics.
  • A creative and thoughtful mindset and a willingness to work with donors and internal stakeholders for the ultimate positive relationship.
  • Experience securing significant impact from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources.
  • Software proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, or other presentation platforms.
  • Experience with fundraising CRM systems.
  • Highly organized with ability to work independently and manage multiple projects at once from inception through execution; detail-oriented and deadline focused.
  • Knowledge of Fencing is encouraged but not required, the willingness to engage and learn the sport of Fencing, however, is required.
  • Ability to travel and work additional hours as necessary, including nights and weekends.
  • Willingness to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment as part of a team atmosphere, including effective coordination with other business units.

Location and Travel

The role is remote-based, or may be based in Colorado Springs, Colo. - as a preference, an individual ought to be based within easy access to the metropolitan areas of New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles-Orange County-San Diego or Denver-Colorado Springs.

If remote, the role will require occasional travel to USA Fencing headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo. USA Fencing’s priority is recruiting the right individual over location factors.

During onboarding, the individual will be expected to travel to build relationships for significant time to Colorado Springs and to USA Fencing National Events.

In addition to occasional trips to Colorado Springs, you’ll be required to make extensive travel as part of your mission to grow the foundation and engage our donors.

Work Schedule

This is not your standard 9 to 5; the role will require you to travel throughout the United States and occasionally abroad to build relationships with those interested in philanthropic engagement. USA Fencing supports autonomous working which means you’ll be expected to make a schedule balancing that prioritizes your personal life and family time and balances those needs with those required to fulfill the requirements of the position and drive the success of the Foundation.

About USA Fencing

USA Fencing is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of fencing in the United States. Its mission is to grow and promote the sport of fencing in the United States, honor its rich traditions and achieve sustained international success.

USA Fencing and the Foundation are equal opportunity employers committed to increasing the diversity of its community. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, gender identity or expression, disability, or sexual orientation. To learn more about USA Fencing’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts, please visit our DEIB page at: https://www.usafencing.org/deib.

Starting Salary Range 

$80,000–$125,000 base compensation annually, commensurate with experience, plus generous performance bonuses based on meeting fundraising targets.

This is a full-time exempt position.

USA Fencing offers a robust benefit package, such as:

  • Unrestricted PTO and paid sick time.
  • 10 paid holidays per year (+ additional week off)
  • 401(k) (+matching up to 4%)
  • Health insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Professional Development Opportunities

Application Process and Informal Inquiries 

  • Applications received by May 31, 2023, will be given priority.
  • We anticipate at least two rounds of interviews, to include the CEO, experts from other NGB Foundations and the USFF Trustees at various stages of the process.

 

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

How To Apply

Please send your cover letter, resume, and work samples to CEO, Phil Andrews at p.andrews@usafencing.org - individuals who desire an informal discussion may reach out the same way.