Senior Philanthropic Advisor

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation is a local philanthropic organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Ann Arbor region. It provides knowledgeable leadership on community issues and invests in impactful grantmaking that addresses local needs. The foundation partners closely with donors to design and implement strategic philanthropic investments. Through building and stewarding endowment funds, it supports long-term community resilience and opportunity. Team members collaborate with nonprofit, civic, and private sector partners to advance shared goals for the region.

About the role

This full-time, exempt position reports to the Director of Philanthropy – Donor Services. The Senior Philanthropic Advisor – Major Gifts is responsible for cultivating and securing significant outright gifts and managing complex non-cash contributions such as real estate, closely held stock, and other unique assets. The Advisor provides technical expertise in gift acceptance and compliance, while building strong relationships with donors to inspire transformational giving.

Responsibilities

• Manage strategies to identify, cultivate, and secure major gifts from individuals, families, and corporations.
• Respond to inquiries related to major gifts and non-cash contributions, draft fund agreements, and ensure compliance with gift acceptance policies.
• Develop and execute tactics for informing and engaging major donors in the work of the Foundation to encourage deeper investment in its mission.
• Facilitate activities that support strong relationships with potential and current major donors, including systematic communication, donor recognition, special events, publications, and publicity.
• Track and monitor relationships with current and potential major donors, including researching and building profiles of donor interests, giving patterns, and philanthropic capabilities.
• Provide staff support to various committees and affiliates.
• Identify, research, cultivate, and secure principal-level gifts to meet established new annual and long-term gift goals.
• Develop, implement, and manage asset development plans in targeted areas of growth for the Foundation, with emphasis on working with targeted groups such as the Board of Trustees.
• Exercise sound judgment in securing gifts and managing existing relationships to meet the objectives of the donor while supporting the mission and operations of the Foundation.
• Market a full range of gift vehicles for major gift acquisition, including gifts of real estate, securities, and other complex assets.
• Prepare and deliver compelling proposals and presentations for major gift prospects.
• Contact and meet with assigned donors to ensure satisfaction with the services provided by the Foundation and secure additional gifts.
• Continue and expand relationships and secure new gifts with affinity groups in the region.
• Manage assigned events and engagement opportunities that expand the public’s awareness of the Foundation to attract new major donors.
• Actively cultivate relationships with an assigned portfolio of fundholders to inspire and engage their philanthropic interests and goals. Fundholders may include individuals, families, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and distribution committees/boards (such as supporting organizations, committee-advised and scholarship funds).
• Oversee the management of Foundation-related day-to-day needs for fundholders, leveraging the expertise of colleagues when needed.
• Create cultivation strategies focused on growing relationships with existing fundholders.
• Achieve strong proficiency in Foundant’s CSuite software for development functions, including but not limited to queries, reports, global changes, upload/download capabilities, fund balances, etc.
• Manage and assist with the development and execution of donor recognition events and/or education sessions consistent with the Foundation’s overall donor relations strategies.
• Collaborate with appropriate Foundation staff on donor-related communications (i.e., newsletters, annual report, event marketing, special mailings, surveys, etc.).
• Educate fundholders about Foundation initiatives, community funding opportunities, and partnership opportunities.
• Write and edit proposals, fund agreements, grant reports, and other correspondence.
• Research, identify, cultivate, and solicit potential fundholders for the Foundation and/or sponsors of Foundation initiatives.
• Make development pitches and presentations as needed.
• Coordinate with other departments to ensure the delivery of quality services to portfolio of fundholders.
• Supervise and mentor the Event Planner, providing guidance on donor cultivation and recognition strategies.
• Oversee donor events and engagement activities, ensuring alignment with major gift strategies and the Foundation’s overall development goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including participation in other activities as assigned by the Director of Philanthropy – Donor Services.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree is required; a graduate degree is preferred.
• Certifications in fundraising, financial planning, estate planning, or related areas are a plus.
• Hands-on knowledge of modern development and communications tools, such as development software, CRM, databases, spreadsheets, and online research services, is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a proven track record in major gifts.
• Experience working with high-net-worth individuals and complex gift structures.
• Experience or knowledge of non-cash gift valuation, IRS compliance, and charitable gift vehicles.
• Experience or knowledge of planned giving.
• Superior interpersonal skills and exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent public speaking abilities.
• Good command of modern office software and technologies.
• Familiarity with Washtenaw County issues, nonprofits, donors, and communities is preferred.

Qualifications

• Genuine and demonstrated passion for the community and the AAACF vision around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated leadership presence to represent the Core Values of the Foundation in the public sphere.
• Ability to establish effective relationships with prospective donors, donors, professional advisors, board members, and staff members.
• Strong customer service ethic; confidentiality and discretion are a must.
• Consummate team player; comfortable supporting and leading group efforts.
• Willingness to embrace AAACF's strategic and tactical direction.
• Active manager and mentor for all direct reports; contributes to a positive culture for all AAACF staff.
• Highly motivated, self-organized; thrives on handling multiple activities at once.
• Able to prioritize issues on an ongoing basis; great attention to detail.
• Able to handle most office tasks without assistance.
• Able to work independently to achieve objectives and solve problems; an entrepreneurial and creative mindset.
• Very strong work ethic, as well as integrity and sound judgment.

Benefits

• Four workdays in the office; one day remote.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 403(b) plan with contribution matching.
• Life insurance.
• Short and long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible spending and childcare savings accounts.
• Paid time off and much more.

Pay

Salary range $95,000-125,000.