Job Type
Full-time
Description
The San Francisco Conservatory of Music seeks a Senior Philanthropy Officer who is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and principal gift prospects in support of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music's strategic priorities.
Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Advancement and part of a 12-member Advancement team, this role manages a portfolio of donor prospects capable of making significant philanthropic investments in SFCM. The current fundraising priorities include scholarships, faculty and program support, performances, special projects, facilities, and funds for the active endowment campaign. The Officer will be primarily charged with identifying and securing gifts from individuals who are not currently SFCM major donors, ultimately generating $1 million of SFCM's $8 million annual fundraising goal.
This role requires an appreciation for music and arts education, exceptional relationship-building skills, and a proven track record of securing principal gifts. The ideal candidate will be deeply embedded in the San Francisco arts landscape, possessing the vision to leverage SFCM's unique position within the city's musical ecosystem to drive new donor growth.
Duties and Responsibilities- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of approximately 100 donor prospects, focusing on securing gifts of $25,000-$100,000+
- Generate a strong pipeline of new and upgraded major gifts for annual support
- Maintain a robust pace of donor meetings, averaging three per week
- Personally solicit major and principal gifts
- Identify, cultivate, and solicit gifts for endowed priorities in SFCM's endowment campaign, including scholarships, faculty chairs, programs, and strategic initiatives
- Partner with the VP and AVP of Advancement, President, faculty and Board members on collaborative solicitations for performances, facilities, and the Pre-College division
- Build long-term, trust-based relationships with donors through meaningful engagement, including campus visits, performances, rehearsals, and special events
- Prepare faculty and leadership for donor meetings and solicitation, prepare letters, proposals and other materials
- Engage in ongoing learning regarding philanthropy best practices, planned and endowment giving.
- Consistently demonstrate professional accountability and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to accept responsibility for actions and results, as well as reevaluate strategies when needed, and develop long-term relationships with donors and the SFCM team.
The incumbent will perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive fundraising experience
- Proven track record of closing six- and seven-figure gifts
- Superior attention to detail, as well as superb interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Exemplary diplomacy, problem-solving, and teamwork skills
- Passion for music, arts education, and mission-driven organizations
- Experience fundraising in higher education, arts organizations, or music schools
- Knowledge of principal gifts, endowments, and planned giving, as well as ongoing training in these areas
- Familiarity with donor databases/CRMs (e.g., Blackbaud, Salesforce)
- Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends
Salary and BenefitsSFCM provides a competitive and equitable compensation package with salary estimated in the range of $130,000 to $150,000. Employee benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays; health, long-term disability, and life insurances; and a voluntary 403(b) retirement plan. This position has an onsite and remote work schedule given its donor focus.
How to Apply We prefer to receive applications through our web portal. This position will be posted until filled.
Salary Description
$130,000 to $150,000 DOE
