The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a co-ed boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12 as well as a post-graduate year. Mr. Gunn had a deep appreciation for the natural world, believing that in nature students understand themselves as humans and their place in the world. He took a principled stand against slavery and spurred students (and the town at large) to examine their beliefs. In addition to the habits and skills students will need in college and life beyond, we teach them to follow Mr. Gunn’s example: to cultivate wisdom, to be trailblazers, to act with conviction, and to value character as highly as intellect and achievement. 

Our continuous focus on moral character development intentionally engages all members of our school in the work of creating an inclusive and equitable living and learning ecosystem.  Community and citizenship are at the heart of our aspiration to both social justice and academic excellence, with individual diversity integral to the strength of that community. When we embrace difference and pursue school life with respect, equity, and compassion, we build a foundation for engaged citizens.

In keeping with the tenets of our founder Frederick Gunn, who was himself a prominent abolitionist and progressive educator, The Frederick Gunn School seeks to provide a pluralistic learning environment for all inclusive of (but not limited to): culture, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, national origin, learning differences, physical difference, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic differences.  

We invite applicants who resonate with our mission and who will foster an environment of cultural and intellectual richness and an active participant in advancing equity and inclusion.

Summary

The Director of the 1850 Fund is responsible for leading the strategy and execution of storytelling-based fundraising initiatives that cultivate strong connections with key stakeholders and drive philanthropic support for Frederick Gunn School’s annual giving program, The 1850 Fund. This role operates at the intersection of marketing, fundraising, and relationship management and is well-suited for an innovative and strategic professional with experience in donor engagement and annual giving.  It involves strategic planning, program implementation, gift cultivation and solicitation, volunteer management, alongside programming strategies of on-campus and off-campus events. 

This individual will lead a comprehensive and data-informed approach to annual fund strategy, emphasizing constituent segmentation, engagement, and donor retention. The successful candidate will bring knowledge of current and emerging trends in annual giving, strong communication skills, and the ability to collaborate across departments in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Occasional regional travel, as well as evening and weekend work, will be required.

Essential Functions / Responsibilities 

• Develop, manage, and execute a strategic and comprehensive philanthropic annual giving program through personalized and broadscale fundraising and engagement strategies, utilizing digital outreach, direct mail, texting, social media, and personalized engagement to encourage donor participation and retention.
• Conceptualize, plan, and implement a strategic parent fundraising program that focuses on growing annual support and cultivates major gift potential from high net worth families. 
• Manage a portfolio of parent donors through direct cultivation and solicitation efforts, including in-person and virtual meetings. 
• Work in partnership with the Chief Strategy Officer to collect and analyze donor engagement data to inform strategy and improve outreach effectiveness.
• Leverage data and behavioral insights to segment audiences and develop tailored communications based on giving history, engagement patterns, and interests.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to ensure a consistent and meaningful post-gift experience that fosters donor loyalty and lifetime engagement.
• Provide programming strategy and execute, in collaboration with A&D colleagues, for an annual giving day, New Family Welcome Picnic, Fall Family Weekend, Spring Family Day, Founder’s Day, Commencement, and Alumni Weekend as well as regional off-campus events and on-campus events, as appropriate.
• Provide timely and accurate reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) and support data-driven decision-making within the Advancement Office.
• Develop a donor persona matrix and create automated email workflows to enhance the acknowledgment process.
• Partner with the Communications Office to align storytelling and messaging efforts in support of donor engagement goals.  Produce fundraising materials in collaboration with A&D and Communications colleagues that capture and leverage the Gunn experience for alumni and parents. 
• Curate and share alumni and student stories to support engagement, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
• Lead team of annual giving staff

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of annual giving strategies, donor lifecycle management, and philanthropic engagement best practices.
• Proficiency in digital and traditional fundraising tactics, including email marketing, social media campaigns, direct mail, and personalized outreach.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret donor data and apply insights to segmentation and campaign strategies.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and persuasive solicitations.
• Excellent project management and organizational abilities; capable of managing multiple initiatives simultaneously and meeting deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including donors, alumni, families, and colleagues.
• Proficiency in fundraising CRMs and marketing platforms (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Slate, ThankView, Emma, or equivalent).
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally, especially with advancement, communications, and data strategy teams.
• Creativity, initiative, and adaptability in a dynamic and mission-driven environment.
• Commitment to upholding the values of inclusion, equity, and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; advanced degree or certification in nonprofit management, marketing, or related field is a plus.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising, annual giving, marketing, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in managing fundraising campaigns and donor outreach initiatives.
• Experience with donor stewardship practices and personalized donor journeys.
• Availability for occasional travel and willingness to work evenings or weekends as needed.

About The Frederick Gunn School

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