Position Purpose

The Air Force Academy Foundation (“Foundation”), in support of the Academy, seeks a dynamic and creative professional to serve as the Development Director that will report directly to the Director of Major Gifts and Athletic Development. This individual will serve as a member of the frontline fundraising team and be a vital piece to the success of a comprehensive fundraising campaign to be publicly launched in the fall of 2021. This campaign, with a goal of raising over $250m in support of Academy priorities, will provide opportunities to fundraise for a variety of academy programmatic and capital initiatives. The Foundation, serving as the largest fundraising organization for the Academy, allows fundraisers to present opportunities across all departments of the institution in a wide-ranging and professionally rewarding way. This individual will join a team that is committed to grow the philanthropic support of one of the nation’s premier institutions.

Position Responsibilities 

• Understand, uphold, and promote the ethical standards and core values of the Academy and the Foundation.
• Learn and understand how the Foundation interacts with the Academy and other Academy-related nonprofit organizations that support various areas of the Academy.
• Develop programs and strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects with an emphasis on gifts of $100,000 and higher.
• Manage a portfolio by establishing long-term partnerships and strengthen existing relationships that will result in funding for the immediate and long-term goals of the Foundation.
• Manage and expand current giving strategy by including Planned Gifts into conversations with donors with the collaboration of the Director of Gift Planning.
• Execute donor strategy with an awareness of class affiliation and giving opportunities with the coordination of the class giving program
• Recommend and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies of individual prospects, working with Foundation staff, USAFA faculty, and volunteers as appropriate.
• Meet regularly with prospects and volunteers, requiring significant overnight or weekend travel within the Western territory of the United States, including some evening and weekend work
• Consistently document and carefully coordinate donor engagement activities and movement in donor continuum where multiple Academy touch points are involved. • Develop and maintain a personal stewardship strategy for individual donors in territory. • Cultivate and present proposals to corporate and foundation prospects as requested.
• Research and provide information on USAFA alumni, parents, and friends to qualify interest and giving potential.
• Work strategically with development staff to facilitate relationships between USAFA leadership with campaign prospects and volunteers.
• Manage and support specific Foundation based initiative and provide updates on the initiative on a regular basis.
• Keep abreast of Air Force, the Academy and departmental priorities, programs, personalities, and events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently, which will require significant organizational skills.
• Apply initiative, creativity and sound judgment to appropriate situations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are required. Must be able to present complex subjects in a clear and compelling manner.
• Adept at using persuasive language to promote visionary gift opportunities.
• An ability to articulate eloquently the value of a federal service academy and the particular mission of the United States Air Force Academy, its curriculum, programs, research, aspirations, commitment to the nation, and the unique experience it provides cadets.
• A strong work ethic, a commitment to high performance and teamwork and a proven ability and desire to reach increasingly aggressive goals are required.
• A willingness to work collaboratively with colleagues and with a diverse constituent base is required.
• A proven ability to meet project deadlines and maintain productive professional relationships.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Work accurately and thoughtfully under pressure.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in major gift fundraising is required.
• A successful track record of major gift proposal development, solicitation, and fundraising activities is preferred.
• A background with higher education fundraising experience within the context of a comprehensive campaign is preferred.
• An ability to travel 25%-40% of the time to designated territory of the United States which will include night and weekend work.
• A valid driver’s license and any related insurances is required.
• An ability to pass a DBIDS Background check for which are required in order to maintain access to the Foundation’s principal offices on the Academy.
• Individuals with service in the military, especially the U.S. Air Force, will be given strong consideration