DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
THE FULLER FOUNDATION
(San Francisco Bay Area)

THE ORGANIZATION:

The Fuller Foundation is an independent Christian philanthropic services organization that provides financial support for Fuller Theological Seminary through annual and endowment fundraising, gift planning, capital campaign management, and funding for restricted purposes. Founded in 1987, the Foundation also offers estate planning, charitable trust administration, donor-advised funds, endowment management, and investment management services for Fuller’s supporters. The Fuller Foundation purview further encompasses Fuller’s extensive alumni relations programs, serving Fuller’s 48,000 alumni globally.

Fuller Theological Seminary, the organization that the Fuller Foundation serves and supports, has had a global impact and rich history throughout its almost 75 years. Today, its focus is to provide indispensable formational education to diverse Christian leaders everywhere. It is singularly equipped to do so. One of the largest multidenominational seminaries in the world, Fuller serves more than 3,500 students from 90 countries and 110 denominations. Two schools (School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy, and the School of Mission & Theology), multiple locations, and many renowned centers and institutions enable Fuller to offer a full range of master’s and doctoral programs in traditional, cohort-based, and virtual settings. Fuller further offers resources and significant formation and equipping opportunities for Christians who are not on a degree-track but are interested in deeper embodiment of their faith. From founder Charles E. Fuller’s original vision until now, Fuller Seminary’s core commitment has remained the same: equipping leaders with minds for scholarship and hearts for the unchanging, saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Fuller truly matters and its impact is felt around the world. If you have had previous success as a Major Gifts Officer, we invite you to consider joining our dynamic team, serving our donors and identifying prospects in one of the most vibrant regions in the country. Fuller’s vision is powerful and all-encompassing and is already exciting and energizing the substantial base of patrons in the Bay Area. These great friends are ready to be taken to the next level of engagement and support. That large base of support is also ready to identify new giving prospects utilizing your high-level skills to communicate Fuller’s exciting vision. If you have had experience developing long-term, personal relationships with thoughtful families and foundations, this opportunity will enable you to serve as a partner to committed followers of Jesus who value Fuller’s role as one of the leading voices for faith, civility and justice in the global Church and wider culture.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Director of Development (a.k.a. Development Officer) provides overall direction, in an assigned territory, for the major gifts programs that supports the mission, growth and vitality of Fuller. The Development Officer is responsible for building a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors from individuals, churches, and some foundations located in the specific areas he/she is assigned. The Development Officer’s duties include, but are not limited to, making personal visits and written solicitations, hosting special events for donors, editing proposals and reports, providing timely correspondence and reporting from donor visits, and initiating meetings for donors and prospects, all to ensure the success of his/her annual fundraising goals. The Development Officer will be responsible for cultivating relationships with an emphasis on discovering and developing new relationships and funding partners. Additional responsibilities include the continued cultivation of existing donor relationships. The Development Officer needs to be a dynamic and engaging fundraiser who can use effective techniques to articulate clear and compelling cases for supporting Fuller.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement a strategic gift solicitation plan for each donor in the Development Officer’s assigned portfolio.
• Generate major gifts from high-level donors and prospects within assigned regions.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward major gift donors and prospects.
• Maintain a portfolio of donors and prospects that generate major gifts ($10,000 to seven-figure gifts) from a wide range of sources including individuals, churches, and some foundations.
• Raise sustainable revenue for Fuller annually with agreed upon metrics.
• Build a strong portfolio of prospects and donors, guiding each through discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Conduct 12 to 15 in-person meetings per month, with an average of one major gift solicitation per month.
• Keep timely, accurate, and thorough records of all donor activities in the Development CRM.
• Manage a cost-effective budget and expenses related to fundraising.
• Cultivate planned giving relationships with new and existing donors in coordination with the Chief of Philanthropy and the Senior Director of Gift Planning.
• Work closely with existing donors, alumni, and other volunteers to identify new donor prospects to increase annual support.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative working relationships with other members of the Development team and the greater Fuller community.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in the major gifts field.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in the seminary industry and with Fuller Seminary.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

The Development Officer will be a fundraising professional with demonstrated experience cultivating and soliciting high-level prospects and donors. This person will also bring the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least five years of managing high-level, strategic donor relationships is preferred.
• Demonstrated success in securing at least five- and six- figure gifts from individual donors, churches, and foundations.
• Strong preference given to candidates who have experience raising funds in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• An entrepreneurial self-starter with experience building new relationships from a large region while managing competing deadlines and attaining goals.
• Financial management skills with experience in budget analysis and planning.
• Strong communication skills with a persuasive ability, including strong written, verbal and presentation skills that can articulate compelling reasons for supporting Fuller.
• Ability to travel up to 40% of the time.
• Ability to attend program and fundraising activities on evenings and weekends.
• High degree of technological proficiency, including experience with fundraising systems.

COMPENSATION:

Annual compensation will be competitive and relocation assistance, if needed, is negotiable. A comprehensive benefits package will be provided.

Application Procedure: Please submit a resume and one-page cover letter to:

Director of HR & Administrative Services
jobs@thefullerfoundation.org