Director of Donor Relations (Bethesda)

The Holton-Arms School seeks a collaborative, creative, and thoughtful professional to join our dynamic and highly successful development staff. This is a full-time, twelve-month position.

Founded more than a century ago, Holton-Arms School encourages young women in grades 3-12 to approach the world with a thirst for challenge, unflinching curiosity, and a sense of responsibility to use what they learn for the greatest good. A nationally-recognized school that prioritizes purposeful connections, Holton is a vibrant place where both students and faculty are deeply engaged in the process of learning and bring tremendous spirit and passion to their work.

With a long legacy of excellence in educating girls, Holton provides students with time-tested and future-forward programming, preparing them for what the world needs next. The mission of the Holton-Arms School is to cultivate the unique potential of young women through the “education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit.” Founded in 1901 by two visionary women, Holton-Arms continues to cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and equitable school community; tend to the health and wellbeing of its members; and build a global curriculum that responds to the learners in its classrooms and the world around us.

The school’s aspirations and current program are rooted in Mrs. Holton’s founding vision: “My high hope is that they who enter through the ‘Open Door’ of Holton-Arms remember they felt, in the friendliness of a home, the urge to learn and the joy of overcoming obstacles as the way to happiness and the fullest life.” In this vibrant community committed to academic excellence, discovery, creativity, and joy, students are scholars, artists, and athletes who find their voices, take risks, learn from mistakes, pursue leadership opportunities, and build lifelong friendships. The school motto, I nveniam viam aut faciam (I will find a way or make one), exemplifies this spirit of agency and empowerment.

We seek applicants from diverse backgrounds, talents, and interests who share our passion for helping girls learn, grow, and thrive. Together, we are committed to cultivating the leaders of tomorrow who will make a positive impact on their communities and the world.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Director of Donor Relations is responsible for leading effective acknowledgement, recognition, and stewardship for Holton-Arms School.

Responsibilities:

• Support the mission and values of the school
• Oversees strategy for Development’s programmatic stewardship and engagement of the school’s donors and volunteers;
• Supports portfolio managers and school leadership, in devising and delivering personalized stewardship communications; including but not limited to first-time donors, lapsed/renewed donors, and donor volunteers;
• Devises and orchestrates collateral, programs, and events to steward leadership, major, loyalty, lifetime, and planned gift donors;
• Partners with senior level administrative offices to ensure that standard operating procedures are followed for stewardship and cultivation; and shares information
• Manages and oversees acknowledgement strategies for The Holton Fund, restricted, endowed, scholarship, term fund, capital gifts, and event donors;
• Leads production of the Donor Report and manages the webpage.

• In partnership with the Director of Development and Director of Advancement Services:
  • Manages annual stewardship reporting for annual giving, endowed funds, term funds, and named facilities;
  • Drafts quarterly pledge reminders and supports in ensuring donors fulfill their commitment;
  • Manages database tracking of awards, scholarships, naming opportunities on campus;

• • Manages stewardship of constituents connected to student and faculty/staff awards, including invitations to awards ceremonies and follow-up correspondence about award recipients; and
  • Coordinates, maintains, and updates catalog of donor-affiliated plaques on campus in the database.

• In partnership with the Director of The Holton Fund: oversees stewardship and communications for all annual giving donors to support retention;

• In partnership with Admissions, manages financial-aid endowed funds and reports stories of impact to the donors of the respective funds;

• In partnership with the Business Office:
  • Oversees endowed fund agreements and restricted-operating fund processes; and
  • Supports organizational auditing procedures through management of acknowledgements and ensures IRS compliance.

• In partnership with Major Gifts:
  • Manages all donor-relations aspects of various events including the school’s leadership event, groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, loyalty/scholarship events.

• In partnership with Communications and Marketing:
  • Creates mailings including postcards and invitations; and donor stewardship emails.

• In partnership with Facilities:
  • Support event setup and breakdown, and install plaques.

• In partnership with faculty and staff:
  • Reports designated and restricted-operating gifts and ensures donors are stewarded; and
  • Collaborates to develop impact stories to share with the school’s donors.

• Prepares Development staff, and fundraising volunteers for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits;
• Collaborates with Development staff to ensure strong relationships among constituents and between constituents and the school, education of constituents about why philanthropic support is necessary and warranted, and effective communication of the School’s appreciation for and impact of contributions made by donors;
• Prepares stewardship efforts for the Advancement Committee and other volunteer committee meetings as requested and appropriate;
• Documents, updates, and standardizes operating procedures for donor relations.
• Understands and promotes best practices in independent school fundraising, including CASE’s Statement of Ethics and Principals of Practice for Fundraising Professionals at Educational Institutions and AFP’s Code of Ethics and Donor Bill of Rights ; and
• Understands and embraces Holton-Arms School’s mission, philosophy, and values, and, in partnership with the Director of Development establishes a culture of teamwork, trust, collegiality, and accountability within the Development team.

Qualifications

• The successful candidate will have three or more years of experience in advancement with a track record of stewardship and donor relations success.
• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• In addition to specific job-related skills, the candidate will be team-oriented, collaborative
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Flexible in an ever-changing environment
• Ability to motivate colleagues and volunteers.
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace, and ability to learn new software programs and functions including donor database and online community options.Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge and/or Veracross is desirable.
• Ability to keep information confidential.
• Committed to personal and professional development

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mission Statement

Holton-Arms cherishes the uniqueness of each of our members including current and former students, faculty, and staff. We seek to create an inclusive environment that sees, values, and supports diverse identities and experiences, cultivates engaging discourse, and empowers our students to be thriving members of the global community.

At Holton-Arms, each of us is responsible for fostering an equitable, respectful, and just community. We are committed to:

• Discovering, developing, and valuing our full authentic selves.
• Deepening awareness of personal and systemic biases and being accountable for the impact of our words and actions.
• Developing an understanding of the historical origins and perpetuation of systems of power and privilege.
• Engaging in open and brave conversations that promote growth, understanding, connection, and agency.
• Embracing every individual as essential to the community.

The average salary range for this position is $95,000 - $105,000. This is a 12 month full-time salary exempt position. Overtime is not available. Benefits include health insurance with a generous employer contribution to medical, dental and vision; life and disability insurance; 403b retirement savings with an employer match and non-elective contribution; employee assistance program, tuition remission for eligible children; professional development opportunities; paid parental leave after one year of employment; paid sick and personal days; and lunch is provided on school days.

To be considered for this position, candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references (one of whom must be a current or most recent supervisor) HERE