Director, Individual Giving

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Corporation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Brooklyn Botanic Garden seeks a Director of Individual Giving to shape and execute the strategy for individual giving, including major gifts, planned giving, and special events. The role reports to the Managing Director, Development, and leads a team while stewarding a large donor portfolio.

The successful candidate will drive data-informed strategies, collaborate across departments, and contribute to a forthcoming capital campaign, ensuring accurate reporting and a strong donor experience.

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of fundraising experience with frontline solicitation.
• Strong writing and verbal communication; reporting and analysis skills.
• Experience managing a fundraising team and mentoring professionals.
• Experience with annual giving, major gifts, and campaigns.
• Fluent with CRMs, Excel, and PowerPoint; moves management experience.
• Collaborative and flexible work style in a collegial environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Major Gifts, President’s Circle, Planned Giving, and Special Events.
• Develop and execute a data-informed plan to grow Individual Giving.
• Manage a portfolio of around 100 major donors giving more than $2.5 million annually.
• Lead a fundraising team and provide coaching and development.
• Prepare reports and analyses; maintain donor records in Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Collaborate with trustees and leadership on donor acquisition and capital campaigns.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Frontline solicitation

Clear writing

Verbal communication

Data analysis

CRM proficiency

Excel

PowerPoint

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Raiser’s Edge NXT

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Director, Individual Giving

Full Time Brooklyn, NY, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1323

Position Title: Director, Individual Giving

Department: Development

Reports to: Managing Director, Development

FLSA Status: Full-time,Exempt, Non-union

Grade: 5

Position Description:

The director, Individual Giving is responsible for shaping and executing the overall strategy for Individual Giving at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG), deepening the Garden’s relationships with individuals and family foundations. This hands‑on leadership role combines strategic vision with significant frontline fundraising and behind‑the‑scenes execution. The role oversees special events and will play a key role in an upcoming capital campaign.

The director is a credible and compelling advocate for BBG’s work and mission, and a warm and welcoming host for BBG’s friends and supporters. The director personally manages a large and important portfolio of major donors and prospects, while managing and mentoring a medium‑sized fundraising team and partnering closely with colleagues across the institution.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Oversight

• Ensure the smooth operation and continued growth of BBG’s Individual Giving program and sub programs: Major Gifts, President’s Circle, Planned Giving, and Special Events.
• Develop and execute a data-informed plan to grow Individual Giving at BBG, including new strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit new donors and steward both new and existing supporters.
• Oversee a special events team member responsible for annual $1M+ Spring Gala and a comprehensive calendar of delightful donor‑engagement experiences.
• Collaborate with leaders of other fundraising verticals (Membership, Institutional Giving) to ensure a coherent and fluid pipeline across BBG’s fundraising efforts.
• Prepare and present compelling reports and analyses that highlight program opportunities and potential for growth.
• Maintain current and accurate fundraising projections in Raiser’s Edge.
• Manage income and expense budgets proactively and efficiently.
• Manage, mentor, and support a medium‑sized team of frontline fundraisers, remaining closely involved in their development and work outputs.
• Set clear expectations, review work for quality and tone, identify professional development opportunities, and provide ongoing coaching.
• Coach all team members toward exceeding each program’s annual fundraising goals.
• Ensure prompt and accurate recordkeeping in donor database (Raiser’s Edge NXT) and other systems as needed.
• Model and teach fundraising best practices.
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and genuine passion for BBG’s mission and programs.
• Manage BBG’s relationship with a dynamic and consequential portfolio of around 100 major donors and prospects, currently giving more than $2.5 million annually, cultivating them toward increased outright and/or planned gifts to BBG.
• Develop and adapt proposal and reporting collateral as needed to support major gift solicitations and stewardship needs.
• Work closely with trustees and leadership team to proactively acquire new donors.
• Assign/reassign donors and prospects to gift‑officer portfolios as needed to deepen relationships and optimize fundraiser productivity.
• Ensure proper donor acknowledgement and recognition in all venues and ensure maintenance of up‑to‑date and accurate records and reporting.

Thought Partnership

• Support the chief development officer and president in sustaining and deepening leadership relationships with all donor constituencies, including trustees and certain trustee committees.
• Contribute to planning and execution of a future capital campaign.
• Support and recommend efforts to modernize the department, including creating new policies and procedures for the team.
• Lead cross‑team projects in support of development outcomes.
• Collaborate with other departments on development of proposals and long‑term gift opportunities.
• Manage the creation and production of fundraising/outreach materials, including (but not limited to) letters, emails, and proposals.
• Maintain a high level of awareness of and monitor U.S. fundraising trends and best practices.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 7 years’ demonstrated fundraising experience and success in frontline solicitation
• Clear writing and verbal communication skills a must, along with a high degree of comfort in reporting and analysis
• Experience managing team of direct reports and mentoring early- and mid‑career fundraising professionals
• Experience with annual giving programs and major gift solicitation; previous campaign experience
• Data-oriented and fluent in development CRMs, Excel, and PowerPoint
• The ability to develop systems to support effective moves management and track donor engagement
• Experience developing fundraising materials such as proposals and reports
• A demonstrated collaborative, flexible, and well‑suited work style to excel in a collegial environment at all levels, both internally and externally

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary Range – $120,000 - $140,000

Brooklyn Botanic Garden considers several factors when determining the appropriate salary to offer a candidate within the listed salary range. These factors include (but are not limited to), the scope and responsibilities of the position, a candidate’s relevant work experience and education/training, prior union/ DC37 experience (for union positions), job skills, and equity across the institution, as well as market and organizational considerations.

• BBG offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
• Pre‑Tax Benefits including flexible spending, dependent care, transit/parking accounts
• Life Insurance and Long‑Term Disability Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off including sick time, vacation time, and 13 annual holidays
• As a 501(c)3, BBG is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer.
• Museum Pass, which provides employees the opportunity to enter many museums in New York City for free
• Free Garden admission for employee plus one guest
• Employee discount at BBG’s retail and food venues

No telephone calls for position inquiries, please. Applicants with disabilities who need assistance with the online system, or who may require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, should contact Human Resources at [e-mail].

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity employer.