Director – Individual Giving

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted, and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to equip decision-makers with nonpartisan research and policy strategies to create a more prosperous and secure country and world.

To advance our mission, we are committed to the following four goals:

• Develop economic growth strategies for a changing world
• Expand economic and social opportunity for all
• Revitalize U.S. democratic institutions
• Advance peace and security worldwide

At the core of our mission is the quality, independence, and impact of our research. We are dedicated to finding bold, pragmatic solutions for societal challenges through open-minded inquiry, diverse perspectives, and holding ourselves to the highest standards of scholastic rigor.

Beyond the pursuit of excellence and intellectual rigor, Brookings places immense value on creating a supportive and collaborative environment where every individual can do their best work, learn, and grow. Because of this, Brookings has been at the forefront of public policy for more than a century.

The Office of Development manages fundraising across the institution. Focused on a constituency-based fundraising model, our team works directly with the research programs and executive office to set an overarching fundraising strategy that supports the important work of our scholars.

In Brookings Development, we aim to: 

• Build and nurture relationships with donors and prospects to raise critical financial resources in support of the institution’s fiscal health and to advance the mission of Brookings.  
• Safeguard Brookings’ institutional values of Quality, Independence, and Impact. 
• Amplify the impact of our scholars’ research and steward our donors’ generosity with compelling and innovative programming for our donor groups. 
• Support our Board of Trustees in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities to protect and sustain the institution. 
• Partner closely with our colleagues across Brookings by providing best-in-class fundraising and fundraising operations to benefit all research programs. 

In everything we do, strive for excellence, act with integrity, communicate with honesty, show respect and collegiality, be proactive, collaborative, creative, and solutions-oriented.

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings' success?

The Director, Individual Giving is a vital member of the Brookings Institution’s Development team, responsible for managing two frontline fundraisers, raising funds, and managing donor relationships with individual donors. Reporting to the Managing Director, Individual Giving, the Director works closely with scholars and colleagues across the organization to execute a comprehensive plan aimed at growing revenue, acquiring new major gift and principal level donors, and deepening engagement with existing supporters. This includes managing a portfolio of up to 150 major gift prospects, with a focus on securing six-figure and higher commitments—particularly for Core Needs and program-unrestricted support, while aligning proposals with donors’ interests in specific initiatives. In addition, the Director will partner with the Managing Director on the overall strategy of the individual giving team, including team management, stewardship strategies, and pipeline building.

Fundraising (50%)

• Develop and manage a personal portfolio of major gift donors with specific annual goals and objectives. Identify, prioritize, cultivate, and solicit unrestricted and cross-programmatic gifts from individuals.   

• Partner with the Managing Director to develop annually a strategic and tactical business plan for individual donors .

• Identify, prioritize, develop cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation plans for cross-programmatic initiatives. Manage implementation of donor plans, including engagement of President, the program Vice Presidents, and Chief Development Officer, and other development colleagues as appropriate .

• Establish strong working relationships with the Managing Director, the program Vice Presidents, and Chief Development Officer, as well as other senior Brookings staff members in order to successfully drive the cross-programmatic development efforts.    

• Steward the organization’s top individual donors to cross-programmatic efforts.  

• Communicate to staff, external constituents, and supporters throughout the country and abroad the overall need, purpose, impact, and goals of fundraising for Brookings.  

• Stay abreast of philanthropic, economic, social and educational trends related to fundraising.   

Fundraising Strategy and Team Management (50%)

• Work with the Managing Director to identify, cultivate, and secure streams of revenue through strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with appropriate colleagues to facilitate coordinated fundraising efforts around cross-programmatic initiatives and institutional partnership opportunities.
• Partner with the Managing Director on the overall strategy for the individual giving team, specifically for Core Needs gifts and program-unrestricted support.
• Develop a team-based culture of development to meet strategic development goals and targets; ensure the necessary processes are implemented for the execution of the strategic development goals.
• Lead the team in executing strategies to not only secure and renew individual giving, but also to move donors through the “pipeline” toward larger, more transformative gifts.
• Develop individual and team productivity and fundraising goals for their team and manage and support members of the team in executing strategies toward meeting these goals.
• Lead, coach, and mentor all members of their team toward overall program success, as well as individual and team performance goals and professional development.

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum of 6 years of successful fundraising experience with individuals required. Demonstrated experience in developing fundraising strategies, leading staff and directing day-to-day activities and operations; proven history of outright solicitation for gifts of at least $100,000 from individuals. A record of success in meeting financial goals, analyzing and identifying problems, and formulating creative solutions. Experience developing solid working relationships with a senior leadership team, high-level volunteers and donors. Experience working in complex organizations.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements  

Comprehensive understanding of institutional development (including campaigns, annual giving, major gifts fundraising, planned giving, encompassing the management of fundraising information systems, prospect-research, stewardship and related activities). Ability to conceptualize, plan and implement a strategic approach to building relationships and securing philanthropic support from individuals; setting realistic goals, prioritizing activities, soliciting gifts and orchestrating the involvement of institutional leadership. Excellent oral and written, communication and listening skills. Articulate, persuasive, polished and sophisticated with ability to successfully interact with high-net worth individuals in diverse settings. A collegial style and an appreciation for the work of Brookings scholars and the vital national policy questions their work addresses; Must be a team player who welcomes collaborative decision-making. Strong project management, analytical, and organizational skills: leading, negotiating and delegating abilities while managing multiple projects and deadlines and maintaining disciplined adherence to program goals. Decisive, diplomatic, nimble, and resourceful while possessing professional maturity, credibility, patience, good judgment, honesty, integrity and trust; able to motivate others. Energetic and willing to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of fundraising activities ranging from routine to the highly creative and visible.

Additional Information

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: If you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening, you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first-generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Please Note: Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.