Thornwell
Join to apply for the Director of Philanthropic Engagement role at Thornwell. Be among the first 25 applicants.
Position Summary
The newly created Director of Philanthropic Engagement position is responsible for building, implementing, and sustaining a diverse and robust fundraising plan to support Thornwell's annual operating budget and ensuring budget goals are met or exceeded. This role provides visionary oversight to the Annual Giving, Endowment, and Planned Giving programs while directly managing a personal portfolio of approximately 65 major gift prospects. The Director adheres to best practices and ensures that proper fundraising policies and procedures are implemented and followed. This position is responsible for developing budgets, planning, and implementing strategies and practices that identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward existing and prospective donors.
Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight
Provide strategic oversight and leadership to the Giving Officers, ensuring alignment with Thornwell’s goals
Collaborate with the VP for Mission Advancement to create and execute comprehensive annual fundraising plans (individuals and churches)
Lead the development and implementation of multi-channel strategies to grow donor participation, retention, and upgrade pathways across giving levels in collaboration with the Director of Advancement Operations and the Director of Marketing and Communications
Major Gift Fundraising
Manage a personal portfolio of ~65 major gift prospects, with an emphasis on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making significant contributions.
Conduct face‑to‑face visits, develop individualized cultivation strategies, and present compelling philanthropic opportunities that align Thornwell’s mission priorities with donor interests and affinities.
Team Leadership & Management
Supervise and mentor the Advancement Officers, supporting their professional development and fundraising success (currently four officers)
Establish performance goals, metrics, and accountability systems to measure and drive team effectiveness.
Events
Ensure all donor events are executed on time, accurately, and within budget
Oversee donor engagement and fundraising event implementation, including event planning, development, execution, and volunteer coordination.
Collaboration & Integration
Partner with Advancement Services, Communications, and other internal teams to ensure seamless donor experiences and data‑informed decision‑making.
Partner with Marketing and Communications to develop educational materials to inform donors.
Foster collaboration across departments to identify prospects and promote a culture of philanthropy throughout Thornwell.
Reporting & Analysis
Track and analyze performance metrics for assigned areas, using data to inform strategy, forecast outcomes, and optimize results.
Prepare regular reports and updates for senior leadership and key stakeholders.
Collect data for Performance Quality Indicators tools.
External Communications DPE also fulfills an important, detail‑oriented role, representing Thornwell to donors, prospects, churches, and volunteers. Responsible for written communications with donors, such as letters, emails, annual fund proposals, and gift agreement drafts. The DPE will also develop presentations, write blogs, and collaborate on annual giving collateral.
Skills And Qualifications
College degree and/or 7‑10 years of experience in successfully securing five‑figure annual gifts or major gifts with a commitment to serving children and families with a non‑profit Christian ministry.
Must have donor‑facing fundraising experience and strong financial literacy.
Candidate must reside within two hour driving distance of campus (Clinton, SC).
Must be available to work a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed.
Must be comfortable with public speaking.
Excels at portfolio and time management.
Exemplifies integrity, reliability, accountability, confidentiality, resiliency, and strong ethics to foster trust with co‑workers, donors, community, and across the Thornwell networks.
Acts with professional excellence and a positive attitude.
Understands role in growing and protecting Thornwell’s brand and reputation; respects and follows standards and safeguards that protect Thornwell's integrity.
Excellent public speaking, organizational skills, attention to detail, and sense of urgency with an emphasis on quality and accuracy of work.
Ability to prioritize and shift between tasks to meet deadlines in a timely manner despite interruptions.
Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks.
inside and outside the organization
Donor focus – Builds strong donor relationships and balances donor centric solutions with Thornwell needs.
Drives engagement – Creates a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.
Possesses a passion for improving processes and the delivery of services with a commitment to continuous improvement.
Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (including Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and use of Internet for research purposes.
Experience with donor relationship management software preferred; ability to learn current client relationship management (Bloomerang) software required.
Must have valid driver's license and access to transportation throughout the workday.
Working Conditions Works in a remote office setting with frequent travel. Uses office equipment including computers. May sit for extended periods of time. Required to work daytime, and occasional evening and weekend hours.
As a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Thornwell is an independent non‑profit religious organization affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and prefers to employ individuals who are Christians and who possess a Christian commitment, as well as concern, for children and families in need.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Position Summary
The newly created Director of Philanthropic Engagement position is responsible for building, implementing, and sustaining a diverse and robust fundraising plan to support Thornwell's annual operating budget and ensuring budget goals are met or exceeded. This role provides visionary oversight to the Annual Giving, Endowment, and Planned Giving programs while directly managing a personal portfolio of approximately 65 major gift prospects. The Director adheres to best practices and ensures that proper fundraising policies and procedures are implemented and followed. This position is responsible for developing budgets, planning, and implementing strategies and practices that identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward existing and prospective donors.
Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight
Provide strategic oversight and leadership to the Giving Officers, ensuring alignment with Thornwell’s goals
Collaborate with the VP for Mission Advancement to create and execute comprehensive annual fundraising plans (individuals and churches)
Lead the development and implementation of multi-channel strategies to grow donor participation, retention, and upgrade pathways across giving levels in collaboration with the Director of Advancement Operations and the Director of Marketing and Communications
Major Gift Fundraising
Manage a personal portfolio of ~65 major gift prospects, with an emphasis on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making significant contributions.
Conduct face‑to‑face visits, develop individualized cultivation strategies, and present compelling philanthropic opportunities that align Thornwell’s mission priorities with donor interests and affinities.
Team Leadership & Management
Supervise and mentor the Advancement Officers, supporting their professional development and fundraising success (currently four officers)
Establish performance goals, metrics, and accountability systems to measure and drive team effectiveness.
Events
Ensure all donor events are executed on time, accurately, and within budget
Oversee donor engagement and fundraising event implementation, including event planning, development, execution, and volunteer coordination.
Collaboration & Integration
Partner with Advancement Services, Communications, and other internal teams to ensure seamless donor experiences and data‑informed decision‑making.
Partner with Marketing and Communications to develop educational materials to inform donors.
Foster collaboration across departments to identify prospects and promote a culture of philanthropy throughout Thornwell.
Reporting & Analysis
Track and analyze performance metrics for assigned areas, using data to inform strategy, forecast outcomes, and optimize results.
Prepare regular reports and updates for senior leadership and key stakeholders.
Collect data for Performance Quality Indicators tools.
External Communications DPE also fulfills an important, detail‑oriented role, representing Thornwell to donors, prospects, churches, and volunteers. Responsible for written communications with donors, such as letters, emails, annual fund proposals, and gift agreement drafts. The DPE will also develop presentations, write blogs, and collaborate on annual giving collateral.
Skills And Qualifications
College degree and/or 7‑10 years of experience in successfully securing five‑figure annual gifts or major gifts with a commitment to serving children and families with a non‑profit Christian ministry.
Must have donor‑facing fundraising experience and strong financial literacy.
Candidate must reside within two hour driving distance of campus (Clinton, SC).
Must be available to work a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed.
Must be comfortable with public speaking.
Excels at portfolio and time management.
Exemplifies integrity, reliability, accountability, confidentiality, resiliency, and strong ethics to foster trust with co‑workers, donors, community, and across the Thornwell networks.
Acts with professional excellence and a positive attitude.
Understands role in growing and protecting Thornwell’s brand and reputation; respects and follows standards and safeguards that protect Thornwell's integrity.
Excellent public speaking, organizational skills, attention to detail, and sense of urgency with an emphasis on quality and accuracy of work.
Ability to prioritize and shift between tasks to meet deadlines in a timely manner despite interruptions.
Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks.
inside and outside the organization
Donor focus – Builds strong donor relationships and balances donor centric solutions with Thornwell needs.
Drives engagement – Creates a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.
Possesses a passion for improving processes and the delivery of services with a commitment to continuous improvement.
Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (including Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and use of Internet for research purposes.
Experience with donor relationship management software preferred; ability to learn current client relationship management (Bloomerang) software required.
Must have valid driver's license and access to transportation throughout the workday.
Working Conditions Works in a remote office setting with frequent travel. Uses office equipment including computers. May sit for extended periods of time. Required to work daytime, and occasional evening and weekend hours.
As a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Thornwell is an independent non‑profit religious organization affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and prefers to employ individuals who are Christians and who possess a Christian commitment, as well as concern, for children and families in need.
#J-18808-Ljbffr