Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.
DREAM seeks a Senior Director of Individual Giving to join its advancement team. Reporting directly to the Chief Advancement Officer, this role will build a robust individual giving program.
The Senior Director joins at an exciting moment for DREAM. The organization is embarking on an ambitious five-year strategic plan and has the vision, team, and fundraising potential necessary for sustainable, meaningful growth.
Major Objectives
- Within the first 12 months, the Senior Director of Individual Giving should aspire to achieve the following major objectives:
- Design and execute an ambitious plan to grow DREAM’s individual giving with tailored strategies for leadership, major, and annual fund donors;
- Through stewardship of existing donors and prospecting, curate a portfolio of 100 individual donors at the major gifts level ($10K+);
- Grow into the lead strategist on leadership-level individual donors, setting up executive leadership and board members to secure multi-faceted, transformational gifts.
Responsibilities
- Strategy & Leadership
- Design and execute specific revenue strategies for DREAM’s individual giving program with a focus on building the major gifts portfolio;
- Mentor and coach the Donor Relations Manager (to be hired), who is responsible for donor communications, gift acknowledgement, team-wide cultivation and stewardship events, and the annual fund;
- In partnership with the management team, set and monitor goals and metrics for the full individual giving workstream.
- Portfolio Management
- Consult executive leadership and board members on multi-faceted donor engagement strategies for leadership individual donors ($100K+);
- Directly manage a portfolio of approximately 75-100 major donors ($10K+), providing high-quality end-to-end management of their experience with DREAM.
- Cross-team Collaboration
- Oversee DREAM’s philanthropy-focused boards and councils: the DREAM Ambassadors, Home Run Leadership Council, and Alumni Council;
- With the Events team, advise on the cultivation and stewardship of major individual donors, particularly DREAM’s signature annual gala;
- Partner with Marketing and Communications to oversee donor-facing collateral, including the annual fund campaign.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree required;
- Minimum 7 years development experience, preferably for an education institution;
- Demonstrated success as a frontline fundraiser in building authentic donor relationships and reaching ambitious fundraising targets;
- Experience directly managing and coaching staff;
- A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, specifically, the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of donors, Board members, staff, students, and families;
- A working knowledge of the New York City philanthropic community;
- Experience using Salesforce to manage donor activity and revenue pipeline; strong analytical skills to plan, project, and adjust revenue forecasts;
- A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.
Working Expectations
- The Senior Director of Individual Giving is part of the Advancement team, which currently works 3 days in the office and up to 2 days remote, per week (subject to change, and with some weeks requiring more time in-person, for example for donor events).
- Some evening and/or weekend work, for example to attend donor events, is required.
Benefits and Paid Time Off
- We offer comprehensive benefits including:
- Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
- The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
- Dental and vision plans;
- Disability benefits;
- Life insurance;
- Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
- Flexible spending account options;
- Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
- Fitness and entertainment discounts;
- A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
- A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment
- Referral bonuses;
- All full-time Network Support Team employees are eligible for approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays.
- Benefits are subject to change.
Compensation
- DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $145,000 to $160,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission.
From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.
Come dream with us.
DREAM Maxims
All Kids Can. This Kid Can.
DREAM is Family.
Fun is a Serious Value.
Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.
Fail. Persist. Exceed.
DREAM Big.
Applying to DREAM
We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!
DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.