At Science Friday (www.sciencefriday.com) we’ve spent 26 years exploring everything from the outer reaches of space to the tiniest microbes in our bodies. We’re great at broadcasting science, and we’ve always been digital innovators–we created the first podcast in public media, for instance, and we streamed a radio show online way back in 1993. But we haven’t stopped there. We also produce cool videos, original web reporting, and a whole array of educational content tied to our media.
If you’re smart, curious, organized, and—most importantly—passionate about working with philanthropists who love science and journalism, we need you to lead our major giving efforts. Help us grow our circle of leadership-level individual donors as Science Friday’s Major Gifts Officer.
As Science Friday’s Major Gifts Officer, you will develop and manage strong relationships with current donors; work to identify and cultivate new donors; support and advise the Executive Director to be a successful steward of major gifts; plan and execute successful cultivation opportunities like dinners; and advise the development team on fundraising tactics and practices for individual giving.
This is an new position for Science Friday. We’re looking for a self-starter that can take initiative and employ your fundraising expertise to grow Science Friday’s existing base of 4,000+ supporters with a focus on identifying and tending to a small group of leadership donors. This is an opportunity to build a culture of substantive giving at a well-established and reputable organization.
We’re looking to increase Science Friday’s donation revenue from individuals utilizing both short-term and long-term strategies. The Major Gifts Officer will be responsible for the her/his own portfolio of major donor prospects as well as the Executive Director’s portfolio. With the assistance of a Giving Manager, the Major Gifts Officer will be expected to strategize and plan meetings, dinners, and events, for themselves and other leadership based on sound donor-development strategies. This role will require independent travel, as well as travel with the star and Host of Science Friday, Ira Flatow. A successful candidate will employ regular communication with the Board of Directors and staff in an effort to guide the organization towards greater involvement in fundraising through training and support.
We’re looking for someone with a genuine enthusiasm for science who has competency with fundraising and major gifts. Bonus points if you’re a public radio fan!
Required education/experience:
- A minimum of five years of experience personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding $10,000+ donations from individuals and family foundations
- Bachelor’s degree
Required skills:
- Excellent writing skills
- Strong communicator
- Ability to work well both individually and within in a team
- Interest in (or even love) for science, education, and media
- Ability to find new angles for cultivation
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Raiser’s Edge
Please email your resume with a cover letter or writing sample to JobD503@sciencefriday.com. Please direct your application to the attention of Executive Director Danielle Dana. No phone calls please.
The Science Friday Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or in any other way prohibited by state and federal law.