Philanthropy Officer, PJ Library, West Coast

ABOUT PJ LIBRARY

PJ Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, was launched with a humble beginning in 2005, sending books to children in western Massachusetts about Jewish holidays, culture, and values. Today, PJ Library has exploded into an internationally recognized, $38M global cultural literacy venture that partners with philanthropists and Jewish communities around the world to provide families raising Jewish children with the gift of free, high-quality children's books and resources that foster deeper engagement with Jewish life.

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF), founded in 1991 by real estate businessman, Harold Grinspoon, is one of the most entrepreneurial and business-oriented non-profits in the nation. Based in the Springfield, MA area, and with approximately 150 employees, HGF is committed to enhancing global Jewish life. The Foundation offers the stability of a thirty-year established organization; the creative, exciting and fast-paced nature of a start-up; and the long-term growth opportunities of an endowed Foundation committed to its mission for decades to come.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, the Philanthropy Officer (PO) leads all major-gift fundraising activities and strategies across the Western territory of the United States, with a focus on the greater Los Angeles area. The PO will continually build and manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects to raise five- to seven-figure gifts and support PJ Library and its subscription and programmatic expansion. In addition, from time to time provide fundraising advice and partnership to local PJ Library implementing partners in collaboration with PJ Library’s engagement officer colleagues. This is a phenomenal opportunity for an entrepreneurial fundraiser eager to make a lasting impact.

A member of the national advancement team, the Philanthropy Officer will work closely with colleagues on the PJ Library advancement team and across the national PJ Library team.

Responsibilities:

Build and manage a portfolio of 100 to 120 active donors and prospects

• Identify, qualify, and cultivate major gift prospects; meet activity metrics and revenue goals
• Act as principal strategist for each prospect/donor in the portfolio, develop cultivation and solicitation plans; execute and modify as circumstances change
• Activate lay leadership to identify new prospects; identify and partner with volunteers to host local donor cultivation outreach events

Secure major gift support for PJ Library

• Solicit and secure five- to seven-figure gifts to support PJ Library nationally and globally
• Meet in person, via zoom, and by phone (aligned with supporter preference), completing meaningful touchpoints each month, achieving performance goals
• Engage in donor-centric travel to build relationships throughout designated region
• Lead prospect cultivation activities, utilizing senior PJ Library and HGF executives and trustees as natural partners in cultivating and soliciting gifts
• Work with PJ Library program staff and grants manager to create exciting concepts/ proposals and compelling reports for donors 
• Provide high touch stewardship for donors and prospects in the portfolio
• Support endowment and legacy giving to HGF; as needed, support implementing partners’ efforts to endow PJ Library in their communities
• Track and report relationships management activity using Raisers Edge CRM

Collaborate with and support PJ Library implementing partner organizations

• Serve as Relationship Manager for a select few implementing partner executives
• Partner strategically with PJ Library implementing partners to identify donors/prospects for joint solicitations
• In consultation with PJ Library engagement officer colleagues, provide high-level fundraising guidance to partner organizations

Requirements

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of relevant education, certification, training, and experience
• Minimum 7 years of frontline fundraising experience and a proven track record of securing gifts at the $100,000+ level
• Deep knowledge of and existing relationships with communal and philanthropic individuals and organizations throughout the region
• A relationship builder committed to goal attainment, high degree of initiative, and proven ability to engage high-level donors
• Entrepreneurial spirit able to think creatively and execute methodically who thrives with great autonomy and accountability
• A high degree of discretion, particularly as it pertains to sensitive donor information
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and fundraising systems; proficiency in Raisers Edge/ NXT a plus
• A passion for the mission of PJ Library

Physical Requirements

• Located in the greater Los Angeles area
• Ability to travel across the west coast frequently and to see donors and prospects as far east as Colorado less frequently; spend one week per year in Aspen, CO; and travel once or twice annually to Springfield, MA
• Ability to staff evening and weekend events on occasion

Salary & Benefits:

• $150,000 – 165,000
• Health insurance
• Dental and vision insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Paid sick, holiday, vacation, and personal time
• Flexible work policy with hybrid in-person/remote work

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume to Brenda_Wishart@aspensquare.com.

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are invited to apply. For more information about the foundation and its programs, visit www.hgf.org.